Tips to help you succeed

If you’ve pledged to lose weight this year, you’re not alone. Many people vow to lose weight or live a healthier lifestyle at the beginning of the New Year and unfortunately, many of them give up on their goals within a few weeks.

Losing weight is not easy. Dieting can be challenging and exercising is a tough commitment. A key factor to successful weight loss is to develop everyday eating habits that automatically promote good health.

Successful weight-loss regimens include a satisfying, balanced diet; daily exercise; and a healthy overall attitude toward food.

For weight loss that lasts, eat complete, balanced meals instead of highly restricted ones. Balanced meals still mean giving up high-fat, high-calorie foods. However, the taste buds eventually become accustomed to healthier sensations and gradually lose the need for salt, sugar and fats.

To maintain a healthy diet, focus on the following foods:

• Rice, barley and other whole grains;
• Breads and pastas made from whole grains;
• Fruits and vegetables;
• Low-fat protein sources such as lean meats, skin-less poultry, fish and dried peas or beans;
• Low-fat or nonfat milk products.

Incorporate physical activity to help lose weight and for overall fitness

Exercise is another important part of successful weight-loss plans. Exercise helps people use more calories than they consume, and that’s what it takes to lose weight. Brisk walking is a good choice for many people, because it’s easy and safe and can be done almost anywhere.

Healthy food choices, physical activity and a positive attitude can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, and will creates a strong sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction.

For information about fitness classes offered by Mercy in your area, please call 888-39-MERCY.

Dr. Ahmed Farrag, board certified family medicine physician, is offering free bone density screenings January 17-31, at Mercy Barrington Medical Center, 500 W. HWY. 22.

The screening consists of a quick and painless procedure that involves an ultrasound of the heel. Osteoporosis is not just a concern for senior citizens. And, with early detection, lifestyle changes, and new therapies, osteoporosis may be preventable and treatable even for high-risk individuals.

Risk factors of osteoporosis include:
 Caucasian or Asian
 Female over 30
 Male over 45
 Small body frame
 Lack of exercise
 Poor nutritional/eating habits
 Inadequate calcium and Vitamin D intake
 Tobacco and alcohol use
 Certain medications
 Family history

These are screenings only. An additional appointment can be made if treatment is sought. Screening times are limited and an appointment is required.

Please make your appointment today by calling (847) 381-3000. Mercy Barrington Medical Center is located at the intersection of Highway 22 and Kelsey Road.

Osteoporosis is not just a concern for senior citizens. And, with early detection, lifestyle changes, and new therapies, osteoporosis may be preventable and treatable even for high-risk individuals. This bone density screening is a quick and painless procedure involving an ultrasound of your heel.

Mercy physician, Anthony Scola, MD, is offering free bone density screenings at Mercy Milton Medical Center, 725 S. Janesville St., Milton, on Thursday, January 13 from 8 am-noon only.

Risk factors for osteoporosis

•Caucasian or Asian female over 30

•Male over 45

•Small body frame

•Lack of exercise

•Poor nutritional/eating habits

•Inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake

•Tobacco and alcohol use

•Certain medications

•Family history

These are screenings only. An additional appointment can be made is treatment is sought. Screening times are limited and an appointment is encouraged. To make an appointment call (608) 868-5800.

Visit us at MercyHealthSystem.org

In Wisconsin, one in 500 people are diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). If you or a loved one are affected by MS, join us the third Tuesday of each month to hear the latest on this disease and find the support of others who know what you’re going through.

Upcoming meetings:

• January 18

• February 15

• March 15

• April 19

Meeting time:

5:30-6:30 pm

Mercy Health Mall

1010 N. Washington St., Janesville

If you would like more information about this free support group, please call (608) 756-6142.

Visit us at MercyHealthSystem.org

Many Mercy Health System clinics will be closed or have limited hours around the holidays, such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Please call your clinic directly to obtain hours or call Mercy HealthLine at (888) 39-MERCY.

Holiday hours for Mercy Health System emergency rooms, urgent care clinics and immediate care centers are:

Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center, Emergency Department

1000 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville • (608) 756-6611

Open 24/7

Mercy Walworth Hospital, Emergency Department

Hwys. 50 and 67, Lake Geneva • (262) 245-2230

Open 24/7

Mercy Harvard Hospital, Emergency Department

901Grant St., Harvard • (815) 943-5431

Open 24/7

Mercy Health System Urgent Care and Immediate Care Centers

Mercy Clinic East Urgent Care • 3524 E. Milwaukee St., Janesville, (608) 756-8484

December 24: 8 am-12 pm

December 25: CLOSED

December 31: 8 am-12 pm

January 1: CLOSED

Mercy Beloit Urgent Care • 2825 Prairie Ave., (608) 363-5500

December 24, 25, 31: CLOSED

January 1: CLOSED

Mercy Clinic South • 849 Kellogg Ave., Janesville, (608) 755-7960

December 24, 25, 26, 31: CLOSED

January 1 and 2: CLOSED

Mercy Mall Urgent Care • 1010 N. Washington St., Janesville, (608) 741-3800

December 24, 25, 31: 9 am-9 pm

January 1: 9 am-9 pm

Mercy Walworth Hospital Urgent Care • Hwys. 50 and 67, Lake Geneva, (262) 245-2230

December 24: 8 am-8 pm

December25: 9 am-1 pm

December 31: 8 am-8 pm

January 1: 9 am-1 pm

Mercy Whitewater Urgent Care • 507 W. Main St., (262) 473-0401

December 24, 25, 26, 31: CLOSED

January 1 and 2: CLOSED

Mercy McHenry Immediate Care • 3922 Mercy Dr., (815) 578-2020

December 24: 8 am-4 pm

December 25: CLOSED

December 31: 8 am-4 pm

January 1: 8 am-4 pm

Mercy Woodstock Immediate Care • 2000 Lake Ave., (815) 337-1544

December 24: 8 am-4 pm

December 25: CLOSED

December 31: 8 am-4 pm

January 1:  8 am-4 pm

Have a safe, healthy and happy holiday season!

Mercy Health System wishes you and your family a safe and healthy holiday season. We would also like for you to know that our many of our facilities will operate under a holiday schedule.

Please be aware of the following:

•All of our clinics will be closed on Christmas Eve day.
•The Emergency Department at Mercy Walworth Hospital and Medical Center is open 24/7.

•Mercy Walworth Hospital (Urgent Care)
December 24: 8 am-8 pm
December25: 9 am-1 pm
December 31: 8 am-8 pm
January 1: 9 am-1 pm

Dec. 27
•Mercy Walworth clinic (8 am-5 pm)
•Mercy Delavan Medical Center, upper level (9 am-5 pm)
•Mercy Lake Geneva Medical Center (8:30 am- 4:30 pm)
•Mercy Delavan Medical Center, lower level (CLOSED)
•Mercy Lakeside Orthopaedics(CLOSED)
•Mercy Sharon Medical Center(CLOSED)

Dec. 31
•Mercy Walworth clinic (8 am-5 pm)
•Mercy Delavan Medical Center, upper level (CLOSED)
•Mercy Delavan Medical Center, lower level) (CLOSED)
•Mercy Lake Geneva Medical Center (8:30 am-4:30 pm)
•Mercy Lakeside Orthopaedics(CLOSED)
•Mercy Sharon Medical Center(CLOSED)
•Mercy Whitewater Medical Center(CLOSED)

For more information, please call 888-39-MERCY.

Dr. Ahmed Farrag, board certified family medicine physician, is offering free body mass screenings January 3-14 at Mercy Barrington Medical Center, located at Hwy. 22 and Kelsey Road.

A high percentage of body fat increases the risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and other illnesses.

Free body mass screenings will include an analysis of:
• Weight
• Body fat percentage
• Body water percentage
• Bone mass
• Muscle mass
• Basal metabolic rate

Patients with pacemakers and defibrillators are not recommended for this screening. Screening appointments are limited.

To schedule an appointment, call Mercy Barrington Medical Center at (847) 381-3000.

Starting an exercise routine can be difficult, overwhelming and uncomfortable. You may feel so unfit and unhealthy that you are not sure if you can even do basic exercise. Sound familiar?

The Mercy Cardiac Fitness Center in Janesville is here to change all that with its new and FREE event/open house, January 18 at 4:30 pm.

“We’re excited to offer this opportunity to Janesville,” says Stephanie Kittleson, manager of Mercy’s Cardiac Fitness Centers. “We can help attendees start a new exercise routine and feel confident and comfortable while doing it.”

Join us at Mercy Cardiac Fitness Center in the Mercy Health Mall to:

• Learn about the Journey to Health program
• Tour the facility
• Meet the staff
• Try fitness equipment
• Enjoy refreshments
• Receive a coupon for 50% off your Journey to Health fee

For more information, please call (608) 755-7996.

Since the need for food, clothing and other donations for local charities and organizations continue to increase, Mercy hosted a System-wide food and clothing drive December 1-16. Mercy partners were encouraged to drop off items needed for ECHO Food Pantry, Salvation Army, Rock County Humane Society and the House of Mercy Homeless Center.

On December 16, 50 Mercy employees and volunteers walked, passed and carried turkeys, food and other items collected at Mercy locations throughout Janesville from Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center on Mineral Point Ave. to the ECHO office on 65 South High Street in Janesville. Overall, 1,034 pounds of food were collected for those in need.

“In these tough economic times, it is especially important to consider those who have the greatest needs,” said Javon R. Bea, President and CEO of Mercy. “There are people who are hungry and cold every day in the Rock County area. We are so happy to help in any way we can.”

The area’s charitable organizations depend on community giving programs to fund programs that assist area residents with the essentials. This year, Mercy asked what the needs were for ECHO Food Pantry, Salvation Army and the Rock County Humane Society. Their lists included turkeys, food, winter clothing, coats, toys, cleaning products and paper products.

“Mercy Health System employees donate thousands of volunteer hours each year to organizations in Rock County,” said Barb Bortner, vice president of marketing and public relations. “We often volunteer on our own time and it’s really special to join my team as we give back to our communities.”

For more photos of how Mercy gives back, visit our Facebook page.

From 11:30 am to 12:30 pm today, Mercy Health System employees are braving the cold to walk, pass and carry turkeys, food, clothing and other items collected at all Rock County Mercy locations from Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center to the ECHO Food Pantry office on 65 South High Street in Janesville.

“Since the need for food, clothing and other donations for local charities and organizations continues to increase, we hosted a system-wide food and clothing drive beginning December 1 for several local charities,” says Barb Bortner, vice president of marketing and public relations. “The items will go to the Rock county Humane Society, ECHO Food Pantry, the House of Mercy Homeless Center and the Salvation Army of Janesville.”

Honk if you see us! Happy Holidays!