Managing weight. Improving health. Transforming lives.
Elevating healthcare by equipping patients and clinicians to manage weight, improve health, and transform lives.
Phone: 970-773-5777
About The Founder
Lori Wenz, MSN AGNP-C BC-ADM FOMA
I am a national board-certified nurse practitioner (NP) with specialized expertise in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. I hold a board certification in Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) and a Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine from the Obesity Medicine Association. Additionally, I am a Fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association (FOMA). I am currently pursuing my Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) through Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.
Western Colorado Weight Care
My Background & Experience
Developing Comprehensive Obesity Treatment Programs
Speaking Nationally as an Expert on Diabetes & the Disease of Obesity
Creating and Managing Private Obesity Management Practices
Between 2020 and 2023, I was instrumental in the establishment of a comprehensive obesity treatment program in collaboration with St. Mary's Medical Group, St. Mary's Hospital, and General surgeons of Western Colorado in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Creating and Managing Private Obesity Management Practices
Speaking Nationally as an Expert on Diabetes & the Disease of Obesity
Creating and Managing Private Obesity Management Practices
Beginning in 2023, I founded and developed a private comprehensive obesity treatment practice focused on providing effective weight care solutions, including options for bariatric surgery patients, primarily serving the Western Colorado area. This practice aims to support individuals on their weight loss journeys and manage related conditions such as diabetes.
Speaking Nationally as an Expert on Diabetes & the Disease of Obesity
Speaking Nationally as an Expert on Diabetes & the Disease of Obesity
Speaking Nationally as an Expert on Diabetes & the Disease of Obesity
I have become nationally renowned as an expert and speaker on the topics of obesity, metabolic surgery, diabetes, other diseases related to obesity, and bias and stigma in the field. I have presented on behalf of organizations such as OMA, AANP, and CANP, and have been highlighted in publications such as Bariatric Times, Obesity Pillars and The Daily Sentinel.
Leading Improvements in Cardiometabolic Education
Speaking Nationally as an Expert on Diabetes & the Disease of Obesity
Speaking Nationally as an Expert on Diabetes & the Disease of Obesity
I have recently joined Novo Nordisk as a Cardiometabolic Educator, where I am responsible for delivering education and training to healthcare providers, stakeholders, and influencers. I enjoy helping others succeed in the treatment of weight and weight related diseases, driving continuous improvement in my field, dismantling obesity related stereotypes, and fostering empathy and acceptance for those with the disease.
My Next Steps
Plans for 2025 and Beyond:
I have never been one to relax. I enjoy the growth that comes with stretching myself and driving improvements in myself and my field of practice. My current goals include expanding my knowledge and influence within Novo Nordisk, completing my Doctorate at Vanderbilt, contributing to the transformation of obesity education at a national level, and expanding the skills and abilities that enable me to help others in their journeys of managing weight, improving health, and transforming lives.
Welcome
When most people think about weight loss, they think in terms of short-term goals. Many people believe that if they could just try harder, eat better, and exercise more they would lose weight and keep it off. However, it is crucial to recognize that excess weight is influenced by many factors that result in changes in your body's energy regulation. For this reason, effective treatment involves much more than willpower. We should all strive to foster long-term health and weight management care solutions for all of our patients.
Philosophy
My desire is to provide unbiased, comprehensive, individualized treatment for those who have struggled with their weight and faced the challenges of weight-related diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure or have experienced an increase in weight after bariatric surgery. I prefer it when we take the time to explore each person's unique weight story with empathy, expertise, and a whole lotta love - no judgment allowed.
Understanding Weight Regulation
Obesity
Many believe excess weight is caused by inactivity and eating too many calories. However, having excess weight is not your fault. Obesity is a disease of energy regulation. It is recognized by experts as complex and chronic with many causes. It often results in problems like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The good news is when we treat obesity, we also improve these complications. Because there are many causes of obesity, treatment must be individualized. At Western Colorado Weight Care, we are obesity experts. We use a comprehensive, counseling-style approach to identify the treatment that is right for you.
Lifestyle
It's no secret that we live in a stressful world. You may not be surprised that chronic stress can lead to depression, anxiety, and insomnia. But did you know chronic stress can also affect your weight? Stress can cause changes in appetite and metabolism. Many medications used to treat anxiety and depression also cause weight increase. The good news is, when we manage chronic stress, we can improve mood and promote weight loss. At Western Colorado Weight Care, we use a comprehensive, counseling-style approach to identify stress, mood, and sleep issues affecting your weight and develop a treatment plan that's right for you.
Nutrition
If you've tried short-term diets promising miraculous weight loss results or been influenced by the popularity of fad diets, you're not alone. One reason diets don’t work is that they are often not sustainable long term. Research shows there is no one meal plan that will work for everyone. Our approach is to help you find a sustainable way of eating that fosters a positive relationship with food, aligns with your unique needs and preferences, and can be sustained throughout your life.
Medications
You may have heard about medications for weight loss that have been in short supply but are everywhere on social media, or that a treatment helped your friend lose a lot of weight. Obesity is a complex chronic disease with symptoms that include difficulty feeling full and staying full, emotional eating, and slow metabolism. Effective treatments should be individualized to target these symptoms. At Western Colorado, we are obesity experts. We will work with you to find the treatment that targets the cause of your disease, and take into account your unique needs and circumstances.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that develops when your body does not produce insulin or is unable to use insulin effectively, causing blood sugar to increase. Over 80% of people with diabetes also have excess weight which can make insulin less effective. Many medications used to treat diabetes also cause weight increases, resulting in the need for more medications over time. The good news is, when we reduce weight, we also improve diabetes. Some people will actually experience diabetes remission. At Western Colorado Weight Care, we are diabetes and weight care experts who will work with you to reduce your weight and improve your diabetes.