What is it?
It is a medical programme that helps you take control of your weight and associated health problems.

Why is our organisation involved in weight loss?
We provide Healthcare Services via a chain of Pharmacy Clinics within Pick ‘n Pay Pharmacies. Many of the patients we see at our clinics are overweight and suffer from complications like diabetes and heart disease, caused or aggravated by their excess body fat. As doctors, pharmacists and nurses our interest in weight reduction stems from this responsibility. We need to assist our patients to lose weight in order to help them improve their health and increase their life expectancy.

How does our approach differ from other weight loss programmes?
We put a lot more emphasis on strategy. Whilst some overweight individuals store energy too efficiently, others battle to control their eating habits. Dependent on their situation, we develop a specific and customised weight-loss solution for each client.

We also look at all the potential stumbling blocks that could prevent you from following our weight loss programme. Examples are hunger, low blood sugar, cravings, emotional problems, etc. We identify each stumbling block, measure its interference level and then construct an effective remedial solution to minimise its disruptive effects, thereby making it easier for you to stay with our programme.

Why do people achieve better results with our programme?
Our weight-loss philosophy is better strategy, less effort. We believe that with better strategy you are able to achieve far better weight loss results with less effort. There are many people who virtually find it impossible to lose weight with standard weight-loss approaches. It is our experience that these individuals can only lose weight with a superior strategy.

Besides Pick ‘n Pay, who else uses the LightHouse programme for their clients?
Our programme also achieved the best weight-loss results in the Sanlam Lighter Side of Life weight-loss challenge. The twenty- three Sanlam employees who chose to follow the LightHouse weight-loss solution during the challenge achieved the top twenty three places.

Why can’t I just use a meal-plan or diet to lose weight?
We do not believe that giving someone a sheet containing various dietary guidelines and restrictions is a complete weight-loss solution. It is our experience that without a patient self-education programme in place during which he/she is taught to gain insight and become motivated and focused, a diet is a temporary measure with a high failure rate. In fact, research all over the world now reveals that a lot of conventional wisdom regarding diets and exercise is so idealistic and impractical that it actually makes it more difficult for you to lose weight.

How will the Medical Nutritional Institute approach my weight problem?
Seeing that one size does not fit all, we start by developing a customised LightHouse weight-loss solution for each client according to their medical history and emotional profile, thereby making it medically safe and easier for you to follow. This includes a detailed analysis of your current eating habits, lifestyle choices, medical history as well as all potential emotional, physical and medical stumbling blocks that could stand in your way. The interference level of each stumbling block is measured and a specific remedial strategy is then implemented.

In addition, you will also receive the LightHouse™ Weight-loss guide. This tells you in an easy to understand manner:

• How to adopt the best weight-loss strategy for yourself.
• How to create a visual “anchor” for your weight-loss ambition for those days when you feel demoralised and ready to give up.
• How to make it easier for yourself to stay on a diet with a basic psychotherapeutic technique called CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
• How to construct your own meals according to your own personal taste preferences and budget.
• How to make exercise sensible, realistic and easier for you to do.
• How to use damage control loopholes for those times when you just can’t stick to your diet, thereby preventing you from undoing all your hard work after a single evening’s celebration or business function.
• How to become totally independent of others by developing an internal locus of control with two easy to use, self-help instruments, namely a Progress Chart and Self-Help Toolkit

Will I get assistance?
Yes, you will receive weekly support either at one of our many clinics or via the internet for a period of twelve weeks, where a qualified weight-loss therapist will be assigned to you in order to help you focus and keep you motivated.

Is your programme expensive?
No, we are actually by far the most cost effective medical weight-loss solution on the market. It is also a lot more favourably priced than many non-medical weight-loss programmes.

How can I join the LightHouse programme?
You have two options:
1)    At any Pick ‘n Pay
2)    Through the Internet by contacting us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In a single sentence, why do you think I should use your programme?
With a better strategy you always achieve better weight-loss results with less effort.