A program offered by Atlanta Endocrine Associates in partnership with HMR Weight Management Services (HMR) has been named No. 1 Best Fast Weight-Loss Diet in U.S. News & World Reports’ Best Diets of 2017 Rankings.

A common misconception is that losing weight quickly is not healthy, not sustainable, and will just lead to future weight re-gain. To the contrary, numerous clinical studies demonstrate that following a lifestyle change program which promotes fast initial weight loss can result in better long-term success.

When I began HMR’s “Decision Free Program,” my words of “I can never lose weight” became changed into “I can become healthy!” This all happened due to the HMR program, Dr. Scott Isaacs and his compassionate staff.

The yummy shakes and the delicious entrees that HMR offers have made it easy for me to achieve 65 pounds …

I love this program. I am an advocate of HMR and Dr. Isaacs’ program set up/staff. I feel like they saved my life and have helped to make me a better wife, mother, sister, friend, etc. I don’t have enough Thanks to express how grateful I am to everyone who has been involved in my journey!!!

Atlanta Endocrine Associates was named a Best of 2014 winner for Atlanta endocrinologists on Kudzu.com, a leading source for local business information and consumer reviews. Atlanta Endocrine Associates has been awarded the Best of Kudzu.com award for the past three years.

Under the direction of endocrinologist Scott D. Isaacs, M.D., Atlanta Endocrine Associates has offered the HMR program for 14 years to community members who are interested in losing weight.

When your sweet tooth is raging, don't ignore it. But don't be ruled by it, either. A few squares of good-quality dark chocolate (65% cocoa or higher) are a good pick because they have antioxidants along with theobromine, a natural appetite suppressant, Scott Isaacs, MD, writes in his book, Beat Overeating Now! If chocolate isn't your thing, he says it's OK to have a very small amount (less than 100 calories) of whatever treat you're craving as long as you pair those gummy bears or jelly beans with a healthier food, such as a piece of fruit, to curb the impact on your blood sugar and insulin levels. If it's going to be too hard to have such a tiny serving, pick something naturally sweet, like fruit.

Estrogen helps insulin metabolize blood sugar. So when your levels of the hormone naturally begin to drop as you head toward menopause, this estrogen deficiency increases your insulin resistance, "a condition that causes your body to store the food you eat as fat instead of burning it as energy," Dr. Isaacs explains.

Even if it's been a laze-around-in-your-yoga-pants day, you can still burn more fat for basically no effort by adjusting your thermostat. A recent study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that when people were exposed to cold temps for three hours, they burned an additional 250 calories. Your body has to go into overdrive to heat itself up to a cozy 98 degrees, and extra calories are zapped in the process, explains Scott Isaacs, MD, an endocrinologist and the author of Beat Overeating Now! You don't have to walk around shivering to get the benefits, he says; just lower your thermostat by two to three degrees.

Can't sleep? Having memory lapses? Your hormones may be to blame. They can wreak havoc on how you feel, think and function at different times in your menstrual cycle. Luckily, these changes are predictable. By anticipating your hormonal ebbs and flows, you can head off ailments such as cramps and headaches.