SSM Health Weight Management Services

02/20/2026

What's in Season: February

Spring is just around the corner, but the last full month of winter is still full of nutrient-dense, fiber rich produce to enjoy.

🥗Vegetables:
Kale, Spinach, Brussels sprouts, Broccoli, Carrots, Bok Choy, Sweet Potatoes

🍊Fruits:
Oranges, Tangerines, Grapefruit, Kiwi

✨Try roasting winter veggies, tossing citrus into salads, or blending kale or spinach into smoothies

02/19/2026

Think heart attacks only happen to “other people”? ❤️

That’s one of the biggest myths out there. Taking care of your heart doesn’t have to be complicated: good food and regular movement go a long way. SSM Health interventional cardiologist Dr. Lincoln Shenje explains why listening to your body matters.

What's your risk for heart disease? Find out by taking our short heart health quiz - and talk about the results with your doctor:
https://www.ssmhealth.com/access/health-risk-assessments/heart-risk-assessment?hgcrm_channel=organic_social&hgcrm_source=other&hgcrm_agency=client&utm_source=organic&utm_medium=miscellaneous&hgcrm_campaignid=18316&hgcrm_tacticid=32849&hgcrm_trackingsetid=47009

02/16/2026

In a world longing for understanding, we pause to pray for peace. 🤍

May the words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi remind us to be instruments of compassion, hope, and unity — today and always.

Watch, reflect, and share this Prayer for Peace as a moment of calm amid the noise. 🙏🕊️

02/14/2026

💗 Happy Valentine’s Day 💗

On this day of love, we pause with grateful hearts, remembering that love’s true source is God. He teaches us how to love fully, patiently, and without condition.

Today, we celebrate love in all its beautiful forms — the love shared between spouses and partners, the bond of family, the gift of friendship, and the quiet love that carries us through every season. May our love reflect kindness, grace, and compassion, not only today but in the way we live each day.

02/13/2026

Need a healthier Valentine's Day dessert option? Try this recipe!

02/12/2026

Waking up stiff, sore, or feeling older than you should? 😣 You’re not alone — and the good news is, there are ways to start your day feeling better.

From simple morning stretches to small sleep and lifestyle tweaks, our latest blog breaks down why those morning aches and pains happen — and what you can do to ease them before they slow you down. 🌅💪

If mornings have been a struggle lately, this one’s for you:

https://www.ssmhealth.com/newsroom/blogs/ssm-health-matters/january-2026/morning-aches-and-pains-how-to-get-a-better-start-to-your-day

Your mornings deserve to feel a little lighter. 💙 What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

If you’re often waking up to a stiff neck or sore back, some small adjustments to your sleep position might make a big difference.

02/10/2026

In 1946, five brave women became the Sisters of St. Mary’s first Black postulants—at a time when very few congregations in the U.S. welcomed Black sisters.

They left their homes to follow their calling in St. Louis, dedicating their lives to faith, service, and caring for the sick and vulnerable. Their legacy continues to inspire us.

Read their powerful story in this Health Matters blog: https://www.ssmhealth.com/newsroom/blogs/ssm-health-matters/february-2019/meet-another-first-five

Photo courtesy of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary

02/07/2026

Enjoy this recipe for a healthier version of spinach artichoke dip at your super bowl party tomorrow!

02/06/2026

❤️ February is Heart Month — and it’s time to . ❤️

Heart disease is often under‑recognized in women, and that can have serious consequences. SSM Health interventional cardiologist Dr. Lincoln Shenje reminds us why awareness matters — women may experience symptoms differently, seek care later, and face more complex heart disease.

The takeaway? Listen to your body. Trust your instincts. And don’t wait to get help. Early care can make all the difference.

Join us in raising awareness and standing up for women’s heart health today and every day. 💃❤️‍🔥

02/06/2026

According to the USDA, Super Bowl Sunday is 2nd largest food consumption day, right behind Thanksgiving! It is estimated that American's ingest at least 2,400-3,000 calories during the 4-5 hours in which the game is played. This is way over the suggested daily calorie needs for most people.

Tips for being more mindful on Super Bowl Sunday 🏈
-->Try to enjoy the foods that may only be around on special occasions and avoid indulging in pizza, wings, and nachos that are always available.
--> Be 'that' person who brings a veggie or fruit tray to ensure there is a lower calorie snack option.
-->Make dips using low-fat and sugar-free ingredients which can significantly reduce the total calories. (I'm sure no one will even notice that your buffalo chicken dip was made with light ranch and fat-free cream cheese!)

02/04/2026

Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women, yet symptoms are too often ignored or brushed aside. SSM Health nurse practitioner Ashley Hofer, NP, knows firsthand how easy that can be — and why it’s so dangerous.

“It felt like an elephant sitting on my chest,” she says when describing her heart attack at age 37.

This Friday, wear red to show your support, start conversations, and learn the symptoms that could save a life — maybe even your own. Read Ashley’s powerful story and learn what to watch for: https://www.ssmhealth.com/newsroom/blogs/ssm-health-matters/february-2026/nurse-practitioner-knows-heart-symptoms-should-never-be-ignored

❤️ Wear red

❤️ Know the signs

❤️ Take women’s heart health seriously

Wear Red Day takes on a new meaning for SSM Health cardiology provider Ashley Hofer

02/03/2026

In 1933, our founding sisters opened the nation’s first Catholic hospital dedicated to caring for Black patients—creating vital opportunities for Black nurses and physicians to practice their profession with dignity and purpose.

Pictured here is the medical staff of St. Mary’s Infirmary, gathered for their very first meeting. This moment reflects a legacy of courage, compassion, and commitment to equity that continues to inspire us today.

At SSM Health, diversity is not only part of our history—it’s essential to our future.

Photo courtesy: Franciscan Sisters of Mary