Inspiring teens to revolutionize their health and chase their dreams through positivity and the power of choice!

Inspiring teens to revolutionize their health and chase their dreams through positivity and the power of choice!

EXPERTISE, COMPASSION & FUN!

When you work with Karla Lester M.D.(she/her/hers), you get results. Not only is she a rockstar, board-certified pediatrician and professionally certified life coach with decades of experience, but she also uses her own weight loss journey as fuel for helping teens succeed — and making it fun! After years of creating community solutions for children’s health, she is bringing all of what works to create IME Community. Imagine what you could achieve with Dr. Karla on your team!

Work with Dr. Karla

“Dr. Lester is a passionate advocate for children’s health, with a longstanding commitment to addressing the childhood obesity epidemic at the community, state, and national levels. She has worked tirelessly to develop and implement innovative approaches with an emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyles for children and adolescents. Dr. Lester’s commitment and creativity in this work is inspiring – and much needed if we are to meet the critical challenge of childhood obesity.”

-Timothy Nelson, Ph.D

Child Health Researcher and former Teach a Kid to Fish Board Member

LET’S MEET IN THE MIDDLE – My Philosopy

There is an urgent need to address obesity as a chronic disease requiring treatment without stigmatization.

American teens with over-weight currently have two options:

1. Accept your current weight and stay stuck in the cycle of wanting to lose weight

2. Enter healthcare systems focused mostly on profits, where teens are guided to the bariatric pathway.

For the U.S. teen population, both options create more shame and stigma.

As a community pediatrician and life & weight coach for teens, who has spent nearly two decades of my career addressing the childhood obesity epidemic on every level and has taken care of many children and teens with severe comorbidities, I welcome a new approach. What if we started to meet in the middle?

• Listen to what’s happening in healthcare, specifically primary care.

• Promote positive body image through self-acceptance and compassion no matter what their weight.

• Ask permission to talk about weight and BMI with both the parent and the child or teen.

• Screen for all potential comorbidities and dispense information based on their specific results.

• Meet your patients in the middle by focusing on the most helpful and effective dietary intervention.

There is an urgent need to address obesity as a chronic disease requiring treatment without stigmatization.

American teens with over-weight currently have two options:

1. Accept your current weight and stay stuck in the cycle of wanting to lose weight

2. Enter healthcare systems focused mostly on profits, where teens are guided to the bariatric pathway.

For the U.S. teen population, both options create more shame and stigma.

As a community pediatrician and life & weight coach for teens, who has spent nearly two decades of my career addressing the childhood obesity epidemic on every level and has taken care of many children and teens with severe comorbidities, I welcome a new approach. What if we started to meet in the middle?

• Listen to what’s happening in healthcare, specifically primary care.

• Promote positive body image through self-acceptance and compassion no matter what their weight.

• Ask permission to talk about weight and BMI with both the parent and the child or teen.

• Screen for all potential comorbidities and dispense information based on their specific results.

• Meet your patients in the middle by focusing on the most helpful and effective dietary intervention.

IME COMMUNITY VALUES

EXPERIENCE

Life and weight coach Karla Lester M.D. uses compassion and expertise to help teens transform their health. She’s channeled her decades of experience into a holistic, teen-focused weight loss platform that emphasizes the power of choice.

EMPOWERMENT

Having low confidence can make being a teen even more challenging. Karla Lester M.D. gives you all the tools to love and accept yourself. With IME Community’s connected health model, you’ll gain independence and learn to take charge of your life.

HEALTH

Weight shouldn’t be a barrier to unlocking your full potential. By retraining the brain to embrace positive change, you’ll feel self-driven and motivated to maintain a balanced relationship with food, live an active lifestyle and achieve all your goals.

COMMUNITY

Through our web-based platform, IME Community promotes acceptance and encouragement for all teens. From the podcast, to the telehealth, to the coaching sessions, Dr. Karla helps you create results with support from a like-minded group.

WHAT TO EXPECT

TEENS

We’ll be real with you — at IME Community, we trust you to make your own choices because only you can determine your future. Our goal is to inspire you with all the tools, resources and motivation you need to succeed, but it’s up to you to apply your newfound knowledge in real-world situations. Think of it this way: we give you the training wheels before you ride the bike on your own. You should also expect to have tons of fun while getting support from an awesome community full of teens just like you, where you can learn to love yourself while achieving your goals!

GET STARTED

PARENTS

Parents, we expect you to strike a balance between providing constant support for your teen without being overbearing. We want to evoke personal growth in your child, both mentally and physically, that leads to a permanently improved outlook on their overall health. We’ll give them everything they need to thrive while making losing weight fun, but it’s your job to help them help themselves in the real world. As far as commitment, we offer three levels and many free resources that are accessible 24/7. Let’s find a solution that works for you, your teen and your family!

GET STARTED

DOCTORS

Are you a doctor or healthcare provider who wants to help teens struggling with their weight and body image? Check out the article above and then download IME CommunityRx to give to your teen patients. By encouraging your teen patients to join IME Community, we can meet in the middle and work together to help teens revolutionize their health and follow their dreams. Sign up for the IME Community e-mail list to stay up to date and if you are a doctor who wants to level up, then join the ActivistMD Network by emailing Dr.Karla, Activist MD.

Dr.KarlaMD.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Got questions? We’re glad you asked! Here are some common life coaching curiosities from teens and parents.

What is life coaching?

As a life coach, I will show you how your current thinking creates your current results and how to create a new belief so you can create any result you want. I will help you unlock the power of your mind to slay any goal and create any result.

Is life coaching the same as therapy?

Life coaching isn’t therapy and should never be considered a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor and therapist.

I’m not sure I’m ready to make a lot of changes. Is that okay?

You bet! You always have the power of choice! You decide on your goals, your next steps, and how you will measure your success. IME Community is there to support and guide you all the way. IME Community believes in your unlimited potential to create any result you want.

I’m already so busy with homework and activities, I don’t know if I have time for IME.

No worries. When you show up for yourself, you will get results. Start with a small change and keep adding on and over time you will be leading your healthy life! Have fun and get healthy!

Do I have to eat certain foods? Count calories? Track my weight?

No, no and no, is the answer to all of these questions. In fact, IME Community suggests you throw all of that out of the window! Instead, you will learn that self-love is your superpower; to choose what works; and all of the life coaching skills you need to revolutionize your health and chase your dreams!

When should I see my doctor?

IME Community is not a substitute for seeing your doctor or healthcare provider. In fact, you are encouraged to visit your doctor for evaluation and for any health concerns. IME Community is a life and weight coaching platform and does not provide medical services or consultation. Always seek the advice and guidance of your doctor with any health concerns.

Dr. Lester is a frequent contributor on KevinMD, where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, other medical professionals, and patients share their stories and insights. Visit Dr. Lester’s KevinMD page to see her latest updates there.