Metabolic Fitness Program
Metabolic Fitness Program
You may have heard that an increased waist measurement can put you at risk for cardiovascular disease. The good news is you can significantly decrease your risk through lifestyle changes. The Metabolic Fitness Program is designed for patients with metabolic conditions and is not specifically designed for generalized obesity, eating disorders or weight management in the absence of other cardiovascular risk factors.
This program includes an exercise component; patients should not have musculoskeletal injuries or limitations that would prevent them from participating in a guided exercise program and should be able to complete activities of daily living independently.
Our Approach
The Metabolic Fitness Program's team-based approach is focused on helping you reverse your metabolic syndrome through support, education and comprehensive care.
Our dedicated team of doctors, nurses, registered dietitian nutritionist, behavioral health consultant and clinical exercise physiologist will work with you to reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and improve your health.
Our program combines exercise, nutrition, stress management and strategies for behavior change in a supportive group atmosphere to facilitate positive lifestyle changes, which in turn reduces risk. The 12- or 24-week program includes weekly meetings via Zoom for lectures, group discussions and exercise allowing you to participate from the comfort of your own home.
- Our program combines exercise, nutrition, stress management and strategies for behavior change in a supportive group atmosphere to facilitate positive lifestyle changes.
- Participate in the program from the comfort of your home (remote access).
- A team-based approach program focused on helping you reverse your metabolic syndrome through support, education and comprehensive care.
- Successfully implement lifestyle changes to lower the risk of heart disease through a tried-and-true program.
- Everyone is different, and the results vary. However, results from 6 months of the Metabolic Fitness Program have demonstrated that some participants eliminate one or more criteria of metabolic syndrome!
- It is a 12- or 24-week program.
- Classes are held Tuesday evenings at 4:45 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.
- Each session includes 45 minutes of education and discussion, and 45 minutes of exercise led by a Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
- Clearance for our program includes an individual meeting with our program nurse and a cardiac stress test, if clinically indicated.
- Individual consults with a registered dietician nutritionist, behavioral health consultant and clinical exercise physiologist.
- Progress updates throughout the program including repeat labs, body composition and individual meeting with the nurse.
- Grocery Shopping / How to Read a Food Label
- Eating with Awareness
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Cooking Classes with MHealthy (up to 3)
- Eating Well at Home and Away
- Clinical Education Series: MASLD
- Using Fats to Your Advantage with the Mediterranean Eating Pattern
- Physiology of Stress
- Diet and Food Trends
- Behavior Change and Stress Management
- Individualized Nutrition Based on Lab Values
- Wellness Vision
- Sugar, Inflammation and Insulin Resistance
- Emotional Eating and Depression
- Strategies to Reduce your risk for HTN
- Weight Stigma
- Clinical Education Series: Sleep
- Continuing your Success
Throughout the program, a significant number of our patients reduce one or more of the criteria for metabolic syndrome or eliminating metabolic syndrome. Throughout the program we focus on turning good choices into good habits. Our team is here to support you in making healthy changes a reality for a lifetime. Here is a quote from a 2022 program graduate about how the Metabolic Fitness Program has impacted their life:
"I have to say this program is a great education. Although you always heard and probably believed diet and exercise were key in maintaining wellness, this program brings that concept to a level of understanding with great clarity. It's like the ABC's of how to get on a proper diet and exercise schedule that just makes it easier to do every day. I never thought of it as a diet, but more so an education on how to manage and make educated choices on how to go about living in wellness. Thank you for a well thought out program including all the levels of support that added both individually and collectively to my education. I am always mindful on my choices of foods and activities every single day thanks to you all. I am forever grateful."
Who We Treat
Patients with metabolic syndrome and other associated metabolic conditions, like Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, or MASLD, and polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS.
Metabolic syndrome is defined with the presence of three or more of the following health conditions:
- Abdominal obesity: waist measurement of 35 inches or more for women or 40 inches or more for men
- Elevated blood pressure: >130mmHg Systolic, > 85mmHg Diastolic, or if you’re being medically treated for the condition
- Elevated triglycerides: >150 mg/dL, or if you’re being medically treated for the condition
- Fasting glucose: >100 mg/dL, or if you’re being medically treated for the condition
- Low HDL or “good cholesterol”: <40 mg/dL in men or <50 mg/dL in women, or if you’re being medically treated for the condition
Appointment Information
For more information about the Metabolic Fitness Program, including details about cost and insurance, call 734-998-4991 or visit the Make a Cardiovascular Appointment page to learn what to expect when you call us.
Get Started with the U-M Health Metabolic Fitness Program
Provider submits Metabolic Fitness Program referral. Download the Outpatient Consult Request Form.
Intake Nurse assessment, stress test, dietitian consult, behavioral health consult, and 12 week follow-up appointments are scheduled: 734-998-4991.
Patient completes 12-hour fasting blood draw. Nurse assessment cannot take place until labs are in the medical record.
A 1:1 exercise consult with a clinical exercise physiologist is scheduled after the stress test clears patient for the program, but before patient starts the program. An abnormal stress test requires follow-up with referring physician and/or cardiologist; entrance to program will be delayed until cleared by physician. Stress test data creates a personalized exercise prescription.
Fax: 734-998-7456
Email: [email protected]
FAQs about the Metabolic Fitness Program
The Metabolic Fitness Program is designed as a 12- or 24-week program.
Our program is a partial self-pay program
- 12-week program: $205 self-pay
- 24-week program: $377 self-pay
Billing model: We’re now utilizing insurance billing codes, allowing us to bill insurance for portions of the program
*Insurance coverage may vary. Please contact your individual insurance carrier for coverage details. We will provide you with the necessary information to investigate your coverage.
The program cost is charged the first Tuesday night class. Payment is available on the MiChart patient portal or call patient financial services, 855-855-0863. University of Michigan employees may schedule payroll deduction by calling Patient Financial Services at 855-855-0863.
Yes. Prior to enrolling, we recommend that you confirm that the program is recognized as a qualified expense.
There are no scholarships available.
Yes. These exams are designed specifically for this program.
Yes. Please fast for 12 hours prior to the blood draw.
In most cases we need additional blood testing specific to our program and within a certain timeframe. Our medical team reviews your recent lab results to assure that we do not perform unnecessary testing.
During a stress test you are connected to several heart monitoring devices (EKG, blood pressure, etc.) to monitor how your heart responds to exercise (standard is on a treadmill). This data is read by a cardiologist to evaluate if it is safe for you to begin an exercise program, and helps our exercise team direct your exercise program appropriately.
We schedule the stress test for all incoming participants. If you have had a recent stress test or if the medical team decides that it is not necessary or appropriate, it will be cancelled.
Our medical team can help you determine the best option for you.
Our clinic operates between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm for all in-person visits. The Tuesday evening program is offered at 4:45 pm and 5:30 pm virtually.
Yes- the individualized nursing appointments will be repeated at the 12- and 24-week mark, which will include a new lab draw.
Yes. Lobby A – Cardiovascular Medicine. Visit the Domino's Farms Location page.
Yes, the Metabolic Fitness Program is only on Tuesday evenings. Participants are welcome to use our fitness center during operating hours.
Exercise orientation and the first session are mandatory—these sessions are foundational information for the program, if you miss one of them your start will be delayed. Handouts are available for most other sessions, and the team is available to you if you have questions. There are no make-ups.
They may attend the education sessions with you; exercising in the Metabolic Fitness Program requires enrollment in the program.
The program cost only covers the Tuesday evening sessions and access to our Fitness Center during our business hours.
Due to the virtual platform, each session may vary. Our exercise portion consists of a warmup, aerobic/strength training exercises and a cool down. You do not need specific equipment to complete our program, but home exercise equipment is encouraged for personal use. Suggested equipment for Tuesday nights includes hand weights and a stable chair.
Our exercise physiologists are specially trained to work with individuals who have a wide variety of chronic health conditions. However, if you have significantly limited mobility, our program may not be appropriate for you. We are not able to admit patients into the program who use a walker or are a fall risk.
Everyone is different, and the results vary greatly. Many people lose weight and have significant improvements in their health measurements (blood pressure, waist, cholesterol, etc.). People often feel better and sleep better, too. These results are hard to measure. We hope you will come experience our program for yourself.
Locations
-
Cardiovascular Medicine Clinic | Domino's Farms 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr. Ste 1300
Lobby A
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0363Get Directions
Doctors
Eric Jerome Brandt, MD, MHS, FACC
Assistant Professor
Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine
Sarah Kohnstamm, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine
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