While Wareham's weather may not show it, beach season is just around the corner. That means shedding the winter clothing and, for many, the winter weight gain.

A new weight loss clinic located on Cranberry Highway aims to help residents do just that, plus teach clients healthy eating skills for lifetime weight maintenance.

At Mass Weight Loss Clinic, the eating plan is straight forward: Eat fewer calories, eat fewer processed carbohydrates, and eat more protein. But owner Denise Young said permanent weight loss comes from relearning eating behaviors through education and personalized consultation.

"That's our focus," Young said. "Education and behavior modification is key to keeping the weight off."

Young said she hopes the clinic and its products will help people change their lives. For the past four years she has worked as a medical assistant at a weight loss clinic in Connecticut. A Wareham native, Young said she wanted to bring her weight loss expertise to help people get healthier in her hometown.

"Helping people [in Connecticut] made me want to come here and help people at home," she said. "I wanted to give back."

Young said the clinic will offer customers personalized diets tailored to an individual's lifestyle and eating preferences. All the plans consist of a combination of grocery food items and the company's prepackaged food supplements.

For example, clients with 20 to 30 pounds to lose will begin on the "quick start" program, consuming 1,000 calories per day and eventually working their way up to 1,800 calories per day. Under the plan, dieters will eat up to six times per day. On the menu: Pancakes, macaroni and cheese, and chocolate bars, to name a few.

Young points out: "You can't expect to lose weight eating 10 protein bars a day."

When following the plan people can expect to lose two to three pounds per week. The diet is designed to include three regular meals and several protein-based snacks. Protein, Young said, keeps people feeling full longer and naturally helps increase metabolism.

The plan also suggests drinking eight glasses of water per day, taking a multivitamin, and taking daily walks.

The clinic opened its doors on May 3 and has steadily been attracting customers even before its grand opening, which is scheduled for May 17.

"It's all about when you're ready to start and when you're ready. We'll be here to talk," Young said.

The clinic offers a free consultation and weight-in to new customers.

The clinic is located at 3103 Cranberry Highway in East Wareham. You can contact Young at 508-295-2055.