Anyone who has fought the weight loss battle will tell you that it’s no easy task. Somehow, most of us have come to believe that regaining our health means fad diets, deprivation, starvation and misery—but it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, you can lose weight safely, without deprivation and in a supportive atmosphere when you know where to look.

The research is everywhere: People who attend support groups will lose more weight than those who don’t. And better yet? What if those groups were monitored, organized and developed by healthcare professionals who are committed to you and your health?

Welcome to the unique design of the Weight Loss Program of St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, New York. Where all of this (and more) is possible.

People who attend support groups will lose more weight than those who don’t.

What makes this weight loss program unique?

The New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center has developed one of the most comprehensive weight loss programs in the country: without medications or surgery.

The program focuses on changing the way you eat and the number of calories you consume in a 52-week closed-group format. That means you’ll spend the next year with the same people in the same groups which promotes stability and a sense of support.

Your healthcare team will be guiding you thorough a customized meal plan and help you tackle not just how you eat, but why. The team is composed of registered dieticians, social workers, exercise physiologists, and physicians who are all committed to helping you succeed.

The program is designed for men and women who need to lose more than 50 pounds.

Will I have to exercise? I’m afraid I can’t

You may already know that rigorous exercise alone probably won’t help you lose weight. That’s why the Weight Loss Program focuses first on caloric intake and mental well-being. Exercise will be added slowly over time, as you progress through the program. Don’t worry that you’ll be strapped to a treadmill for hours of sweaty exertion. That’s just not the program’s style.

How can I learn more?

You can find out more by contacting the program through their website or you can also call the program coordinator, Robin Hersch, at nyorc@chpnet.org  or call (212)523-8440. The program fees are $50 per week and a one-time $75 charge when you first enroll. This cost includes weekly meetings plus unlimited support from the program’s experts.