Medical Weight Loss clinics to teach the jobless health basics

Jennifer Youssef / The Detroit News

Out of work and out of shape?

Unemployed Michigan residents who want to lose weight and learn healthier eating habits are invited to attend a free, 10-week weight loss program at any of Medical Weight Loss Clinic's 34 locations in Michigan and Ohio.

The Southfield-based company is opening the complimentary program -- that normally costs upwards of $400 -- Nov. 12 to anyone who can prove he or she is unemployed. It includes lessons on basic nutrition and a seven-day supply of a vegetable-based protein powder to speed up metabolism.

Participants will be required to attend a clinic every day for the first two weeks and three days a week for the remainder of the program, said Alberta Lipinski, the clinic's nursing supervisor. A medic also will perform blood work on clients to alert doctors to potential medical problems.

"This is our contribution to the stimulus package," vice president Art Langer said. "We want to get people stimulated, get them fit to look for a job."

If, at the end of the program, a client wants to buy more protein powder, they have the option of buying it at a discounted price, he said. But no one will be forced to purchase anything.

Sessions will be limited to 25 clients per clinic. The offer is first come, first served.

Medical Weight Loss Clinic has been in business for 23 years.

"The community has been good to us and this is (about) giving back," Langer said.

For information, call (800) GET-SLIM or go to www.mwlc.com.

jyoussef@detnews.com (313) 222-2300