Medifast Weight Management Center Opens in Timonium

Had too much turkey and stuffing over the holiday? Check out Medifast, a weight loss and weight management center, that opened on Nov. 17 in Timonium.

"The goal of Medifast is to provide a personalized approach to weight management," said Ransom Cooke, the center's manager. "We don't just deal with weight loss but weight control. We provide education to keep the weight off."

Medifast, located at 2219 York Rd., doesn't house a gym, but forms partnerships with local fitness centers to help clients acheive their weight goals.

"We have our customers meet up with our trained counselors who will discuss diet, behavior, nutrition or anything related to maintaining good health," Cooke said.

The program is designed to accomodate people with a variety of lifestyles including those who find themselves eating out often or who work long days and don't think they have time for the gym.

"We generally try to get our clients to eat six smaller meals a day," Cooke said. "For those with busier schedules, it's important to make food readily available whether it's stored in purses or at desks."

Cooke urges people who think the are a lost cause when it comes to weight management to give Medifast a chance.

"There are ways to prepare for the holidays," Cooke said. "We provide recipes and are able to counsel people on how to prepare. It's more of a mindset that you have to gain weight during the holidays."

Cooke said that Medifast centers have a greater than 80 percent success rate. The Timonium location is the eighth center to open in Maryland.

Medifast also provides food for customers to purchase in order to meet their nutrional needs.

"This isn't just a quick weight loss program but a lifestyle change," Cooke said.