We were lucky to catch up with Jennie Peters recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jennie, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Hi there,

The mission of our company is to help people not only lose weight, but to prevent health complications from obesity or weight gain. We also realize that restrictive diets do not work and there are multiple components missing from some who try to lose weight. We focus on “your health, your way” We work together as a team but will tailor each unique clients plan and journey. Our mission is to include all essential components (medical weight loss, behavioral health, fitness, and nutrition).

Since my 20’s, I have had high cholesterol. I also was gestational diabetic and was borderline diabetic soon after. I have been through the journey of restrictive eating, binge eating and providers telling me we will “watch your labs”. I never had a all comprehensive plan and then became diabetic 7 years ago. As a Family and PSychiatric Nurse Practitioner, I dove right into becoming certified in obesity management and the pieces came together. My goal was to provide the Kenosha community and surrounding areas an all comprehensive tailored program that included behavioral health, fitness, nutrition, and monitored medical care–all in one place.

I am much better with talking as I feel I have so much to add :)

Jennie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I put that on the last question as to how/ why I started the business. Sorry if this seems fragmented.

I have been a nurse for 30 years, a Family Nurse Practitioner since 2007 and a Psychiatric NP since 2023. I work as a Psychiatric NP for Guided Wellness and see children and adults in the Kenosha community. I also teach full time at Marquette University as a Clinical Assistant Professor. Teaching keeps my knowledge at the top but I love to learn. I have worked in Internal Medicine, Pre-operative clinic, Urology, and Family Practice. As an RN I spent most all of my time in an inpatient hospital setting.

I have been helping people lose weight because I did not want them in the same position I was in.. Obesity is a neuroendocrine disease and it is well documented that heart disease, diabetes, and multiple other metabolic diseases are a complication of obesity.

Mindful Balance provides:
Body Composition Scale that measures, visceral fat (inflammatory fat around the organs) –this is key!
Ongoing visits with me and my nurse, Becky.
Labs when needed
Womens hormone management
physical exam at the initital visit and ongoing.
A medication and/or supplement plan
A lisenced clinical therapist who specializes in mulitple areas but binge eating, grazing, and changing habits.
Fitness instructor
Nutrition counselor
Nutrition injections and IV therapy
And an after plan for when clients reach their goal weight

And a unique relationship with us and our clients. We see entire families, friends, and really get to know every single patient! This is so helpful to help them sustain and continue their weight loss/health journey. This absolutely stands apart from online weight loss programs.

If people want to eat only “clean” foods, we will help them. If they are used to eating keto, we will derive a plan, Mediterranean diet, same thing… we tailor it while offering our expertise on what is sustainable.

I truly focus on health. Ourbody composition scale tells me their risk for disease and provides small goals to help get to the next step towards reducing the risk for disease.

We can’t just focus on BMI. I have many clients who come with a normal BMI, yet they have 40% body fat (high risk). Since we traditionally use BMI as a marker, there is a population who gets missed. That is my story. My BMI has been under 25 yet, my body fat % was 41%. Past providers would say “oh you are skinny” yet, I watched myself progress to diabetes.

We also need to understand that the reason people are obese is not their fault. Since this is a neuroendocrine disease, the hunger signalling in the brain or gut may not be working correctly. Hunger hormones, peri and post menopausal hormones and much more can contribute. We can’t forget genetics.

The GLP-1 medications are what targets hunger hormones. They are the “cadillac” of weight loss drugs because they are only one right now that can target the hunger hormone GLP-1. Cost is a huge issue so we help try and make it more affordable for clients who are unable to obtain it from their pharmacy. We also prescribe and monitor when their insurance coverage allows.

Most of our clients our using the injections for weight loss, but we also have multiple other options for weight loss.

I am so proud that we:
are all encompassing/comprehensive
Have community connections for referrals if needed to maximize their journey
We tailor their weight loss plan. Not everyone is on the same food plan
I, the co-owner sees every patient and has an ongoing relationship with them.
We have an amazing team! You will always know who you see (my nurse or I) and we will always know you and your story. (unlike some online programs)

We needed this in Kenosha! We need to reduce our pre-diabetes, heart disease, etc…. we are almost at 48% of our population who are obese. We need to stop just watching people’s labs, but get started to change their metabolic profile.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients has been word of mouth. Most of our new clients have come from clients who have gone through our program. This is in my opinion, the most important as I know we are truly helping others.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

We are still working on this but offering incentives for current clients such as a referral program has helped.
Getting our name out on Google and Yelp.
Our monthly specials can help out current clients wo bring in new clients. For example, we have a buy one/get one IV hydration special so they may bring a friend.
Social Media: this is a work in progress as we are on Facebook now and really need to get out to other platforms but has helped to bring in customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mindfulbalancekenosha.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfulbalancekenosha