Losing weight is never easy, but a new study has shown that seeking help from your doctor may result in higher success rates in many cases. According to a report from UPI, a two-year study has found that physician-guided weight loss programs offer serious health benefits to overweight people looking to slim down, though many are still not covered by Medicare and private insurance programs.

According to Dr. Wendy Bennett, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, “The trial supports other evidence that providers are very important in their patients’ weight loss efforts. Incorporating physicians into future programs might lead patients to more successful weight loss.”

Data collected from 347 people participating in the Practice-based Opportunities for Weight Reduction, or POWER, helped researchers reach their conclusion. The two-year trial measuring the benefits of working with a coach or guide while navigating a weight loss program showed that people who ranked their doctors as extremely helpful lost an average of 111 pounds.

On the contrary, people who rated their doctors with a low helpfulness ranking only lost an average of 5 pounds over the two-year period.

The study highlights the benefits of team-based planning for weight reduction strategies, and researchers are hopeful that insurers will consider the study when offering plans that cover such treatments. Losing weight can be a difficult endeavor for many people, and having someone to encourage and guide you can make all the difference.