Schedule a Consult with Lisa Simmons, ACNP-BC, CKNS
Ovadia Heart Health welcomes Lisa Simmons, a nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience, to its distinguished team
Ovadia Heart Health is proud to welcome Lisa Simmons, a seasoned nurse practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, to our team. Driven by a passion to help others, Simmons has dedicated her career to educating individuals about proactive health measures, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes and a nutritious diet for improved metabolic health and quality of life.
Simmons brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and a deep understanding of metabolic health, honed not only through her professional experience but also through her own personal health journey. This combination of personal and professional knowledge makes her an invaluable asset to our patients, who will benefit from her holistic approach to health and wellness.
"I am thrilled to join the Ovadia Heart Health team and bring a proactive approach to metabolic health,” said Simmons. “My goal is to demystify complex health indicators and empower our patients to make sustainable lifestyle changes. It's not just about treating symptoms—it's about enhancing the quality of life for every patient we see.”
In her initial role at Ovadia Heart Health, Simmons will be working with patients and reviewing lab work to identify key areas such as insulin resistance and cholesterol levels. Her aim is to make these complex health indicators more understandable, helping patients grasp their importance beyond mere numerical values."
A Passion for Metabolic Health
Simmons offers valuable insights into lab values and her expertise allows her to answer patient questions comprehensively, providing a clear overview and outlining actionable next steps for their health. "Insulin resistance is a key issue we address,” she says. “Understanding it and guiding patients on proper nutrition is crucial for effective management.”
Addressing common misconceptions about cholesterol, she notes, “It’s not just about the numbers; the type of cholesterol particles—small dense versus large lumpy ones—plays a significant role.” This detailed understanding extends beyond traditional views, aiming to educate patients about the broader aspects of metabolic health.
Empowering Patients Through Education
“Many think it’s just about losing weight, but it’s really about understanding how your body uses food and implementing lifestyle changes that lead to better health,” she remarks. Drawing from her own experiences, Simmons champions preventive measures that enhance both the quality and longevity of life.
Preventative Health and Lifestyle Changes
“Prevention is key, and we're focused not just on extending life but on enhancing its quality by returning to basics and teaching sustainable lifestyle changes,” she adds. Her transformative approach shifts the focus from temporary diets to enduring wellness.
“We don’t merely review lab work; we assess immediate lifestyle changes that can improve these markers for prevention,” she states. This method fosters a deeper understanding of a patient's health, moving beyond conventional metrics like glucose levels or hemoglobin A1C.
Simmons passionately advocates facing health realities head-on, especially when lab results are suboptimal. “When patients see their lab work and it’s not ideal, it becomes a pivotal moment. We have the expertise to guide them towards improving those numbers,” she says, emphasizing the importance of addressing health issues directly to avoid long-term consequences.
Personal Insights and Inspirational Journey
She often discusses the concept of quality of life with her patients, prioritizing it over mere longevity. “It’s about how you live, not just for how long. You don’t want to spend decades in compromised health when preventive measures could alter that trajectory,” she explains.
Simmons shares her own personal health journey, highlighting the struggles and triumphs that have shaped her approach to patient care. Her battle with weight began in high school and continued through various life stages, including motherhood. “I've been a yo-yo dieter my entire life, trying every fad diet from Weight Watchers to Nutrisystem,” she confesses. “These diets often focused on calorie restriction, leaving me constantly hungry.”
The turning point came in 2019 when she discovered the ketogenic diet. “Starting keto was a game-changer. I lost 50 pounds and, more importantly, began to change my relationship with food,” she explains.
Emphasizing the importance of mindset in health management, she says, “Understanding how food makes you feel, rather than just calorie counting, was a revelation. It’s about energy, not just weight.”
Integrating Fitness into Life
Her commitment to fitness, especially weightlifting, has played a significant role in her health transformation. “Weightlifting has been vital for me, particularly as a post-menopausal woman,” she said. “It’s not just about preventing weight gain; it's about changing body composition and preventing osteoporosis.”
Additionally, high-intensity exercises like kettlebell swings have become a part of her routine, significantly strengthening her posterior chain, crucial for mobility and strength as we age.
Through sharing her personal experiences, she hopes to inspire her patients, demonstrating that transformative health changes are possible with the right mindset, diet, and exercise regimen. Her own journey is not just about overcoming weight issues but about embracing a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle that prioritizes well-being over mere aesthetics.
She shares how her grandchildren have become a significant motivator in her pursuit of health and fitness. Her active involvement in their lives has reinforced her commitment to maintaining her own health. "A few months ago, I took my grandchildren to a trampoline park, and I wasn't just watching—I was jumping right along with them," she recalls with a smile.
"These moments are not just fun, but key motivations for my fitness regimen. Playing basketball with my 10-year-old grandson, playing soccer in the yard—these aren't just activities, they're memories. And I want to be an active participant, not just a spectator," she explains.
Drawing from her profound personal and professional experience, she discusses the significant mental challenges women face in maintaining health, particularly around body image and dieting. "The biggest issue for many women is the mental battle—the tendency to compare themselves to others and the cycle of self-sabotage that often ensues," she explains. This often leads to an unhealthy pattern of starting diets only to fall off, followed by self-criticism and delay in restarting healthy habits.
She stresses the importance of breaking this cycle through self-love and realistic expectations. "Growing up in California, the pressure to fit a certain image was intense. It's refreshing to now see more realistic representations of women in media, which helps in fostering a healthier self-image," she shares.
As she further discusses the psychological aspects of health, she emphasizes the importance of immediate recovery from dietary lapses rather than deferring to future dates like "next Monday." This shift in mindset has been crucial for her: "It was a game changer when I started correcting my course with the next meal instead of waiting for a new week. It helps maintain momentum and reduces the guilt associated with slip-ups."
Highlighting the interconnectedness of diet, sleep, and stress, she discusses how these factors significantly impact overall well-being. "Sleep is crucial, and so is managing stress. You can’t out-exercise a bad diet, and you certainly can’t out-sleep stress," she points out. This holistic approach is central to her practice, where she guides women through these complex interactions to improve their health outcomes.
“We look at everything from what you eat and drink to how you handle stress,” she explains. For many, tweaking hormones isn't enough; lifestyle factors play a crucial role. Highlighting the pitfalls of yo-yo dieting, she advocates for sustainable lifestyle changes over quick fixes, helping patients maintain their health without constant deprivation.
Work with Lisa Simmons, NP
Lisa Simmons brings a wealth of knowledge and a heartfelt approach to patient care. We are excited about the profound impact she will have on our community as part of our team As we integrate her expertise and personal insights into our practice, we anticipate significant health improvements and enhanced well-being for our patients. Working with Lisa, patients can expect a partnership that prioritizes their health goals and delivers transformative results.
Have questions before starting your metabolic health journey? Speak with our Metabolic Health Coordinator.