Functional Weight Loss in St. Louis, Missouri
What Is Functional Weight Loss?
Functional Weight Loss is a personalized, whole-body approach to losing excess weight. Instead of relying on generic "calorie-in / calorie-out" methods or quick-fix diets, we examine the complex interplay between hormones, metabolism, gut health, inflammation, nutrition, lifestyle, and environmental influences, all of which play a role in your body’s ability to lose fat, maintain lean mass, and achieve healthy, lasting results.
Our goal is to support not just weight loss, but metabolic balance, energy stability, optimized digestion, hormonal homeostasis, and long-term wellness. In other words: lose weight intelligently, and feel better while doing it.
Our Process for Functional Weight Loss
GLP-1 Therapy (Tirzepatide & Semaglutide)
GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide and semaglutide are some of the most effective tools available for weight management today. These medications help regulate appetite, stabilize blood sugar, and support fat loss. At Health by Design MD, we pair GLP-1 therapy with nutrition, lifestyle coaching, and functional testing so you can achieve results that are both safe and sustainable.
Nutrition Counseling with Dr. Ellie Reidt
Our nutrition expert, Dr. Ellie Reidt, will guide you through a customized plan that emphasizes nutrient-dense whole foods, not fad diets. Her approach ensures changes that fit your lifestyle and set you up for long-term success.
Lifestyle & Behavioral Coaching
Weight loss is more than food—it’s sleep, stress, movement, and mindset. Our team helps you address every area of health so your results last.
The Tools in Our Toolbox
We use advanced technology and functional testing to understand your metabolism and track progress:
● Stelo by Dexcom CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor): Track how your body responds to food in real time. By monitoring glucose patterns, we can uncover hidden blood sugar spikes, identify food triggers, and design a diet that works with your metabolism instead of against it.
● Bio-Energy Bike Test: Learn whether your body is primarily burning sugar or fat for fuel. This insight helps us tailor nutrition and exercise to shift your metabolism toward fat-burning.
● InBody Composition Scanning: Go beyond BMI. Our InBody system measures muscle mass, body fat percentage, water balance, and more—so you can see exactly how your body is changing and celebrate progress that a scale alone can’t show.
● Advanced Testing: We screen for food sensitivities, hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and other hidden root causes that may be blocking your weight loss.
Together, these tools allow us to personalize your program and give you the best chance for success.
Why Choose Health by Design MD?
● Root-cause approach: We don’t just focus on the scale—we address the underlying reasons for weight gain.
● Multiple tools for success: From GLP-1 therapy with tirzepatide and semaglutide to CGMs, InBody scans, and functional testing, we use every resource available to help you succeed.
● Accountability & support: Our team works alongside you, adjusting your plan as your body changes and celebrating each milestone.
● Safe & sustainable: Our goal is not quick fixes—it’s lifelong health and weight management.
- Have tried conventional diets or weight-loss programs without long-term success.
- Struggle with stubborn fat, metabolic resistance, insulin issues, or difficulty losing weight despite diet/exercise.
- Experience symptoms like fatigue, low energy, digestive problems, hormonal imbalance, or chronic inflammation.
- Want to improve overall health, not just lose pounds, by addressing root causes rather than masking symptoms.
- Prefer a sustainable, holistic approach that integrates nutrition, lifestyle, metabolic health, and wellness.
Your Journey
Comprehensive Medical Evaluation
Your journey begins with a detailed review of your health history, lifestyle, and weight challenges to understand what’s truly driving your weight gain.
Advanced Functional Testing
We assess key factors such as hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and glucose response to uncover hidden barriers to weight loss
Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your results, we create a customized plan that may include nutrition guidance, lifestyle changes, and medical support when appropriate.
Ongoing Support & Adjustments
You’ll receive continuous monitoring, coaching, and plan adjustments to ensure steady progress and safe, sustainable results.
Long-Term Weight & Health Success
Our focus goes beyond the scale — helping you maintain results, improve metabolic health, and build habits that last.
Why Functional Weight Loss vs. Traditional Dieting
Many standard weight-loss programs rely on calorie restriction, temporary diets, or quick-fix approaches, often leading to short-term results, lost muscle mass, metabolic slowdown, and eventual weight regain.
By contrast, the functional medicine approach doesn’t treat weight as a simple math problem. Instead, we recognize weight and metabolism as multidimensional outcomes, influenced by hormones, digestion, inflammation, lifestyle, and individual biology. This holistic perspective often leads to deeper, more sustainable results and supports overall health beyond just the scale.
Potential Benefits of Our Functional Weight Loss Approach
Improved metabolic health
More stable energy, and fewer sugar or food cravings.
Advanced Functional Testing
We assess key factors such as hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and glucose response to uncover hidden barriers to weight loss
Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your results, we create a customized plan that may include nutrition guidance, lifestyle changes, and medical support when appropriate.
Ongoing Support & Adjustments
You’ll receive continuous monitoring, coaching, and plan adjustments to ensure steady progress and safe, sustainable results.
Long-Term Weight & Health Success
Our focus goes beyond the scale — helping you maintain results, improve metabolic health, and build habits that last.
Ready to start your weight loss journey?
Make an appointment today and discover how our toolboxof functional medicine solutions—including GLP-1therapies like tirzepatide and semaglutide—can help youachieve your goals and keep the weight off in a healthyway.
Frequently Asked Questions About Functional Weight Loss
Can I start the program if I don’t live nearby?
Yes. Many parts of the program can be managed through virtual consultations, depending on your needs and care plan.
How soon will I see results?
Many patients begin noticing changes in energy, digestion, sleep, and overall well-being within the first few weeks of their program. Weight loss timelines vary depending on your body's starting point and underlying factors, but most individuals experience steady, sustainable progress throughout treatment.
Is this program suitable for people who have tried many diets before?
Yes. Functional weight loss is specifically designed for individuals who have struggled with traditional diets. By uncovering what has been preventing your progress, such as thyroid issues, chronic stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, or nutrient deficiencies, we tailor a plan that fits your biology, not a generic diet model.
Will I need to follow a strict diet?
Instead of “rules,” we focus on sustainable nutritional patterns that support your metabolism, hormones, and gut health. Your plan may include specific foods, lifestyle recommendations, and targeted supplements, but we avoid extreme or unrealistic dietary restrictions.
How long does the program last?
Length varies, but most patients begin with a structured 8–12-week framework, followed by continued support as needed. The goal is not only to lose weight but to help you maintain results by optimizing your long-term metabolic health.