NiuOla Health's Blog

Your Guide to Better Health Starts Here

Welcome to the NiuOla Health Blog, a place where medicine meets compassion, and your health journey is honored with the care it deserves.

I'm Dr. Tui Lauilefue, and as a board-certified internal medicine and obesity medicine physician practicing direct primary care in Olympia, I've dedicated my career to walking alongside my patients through every season of their health. Here, you'll find the same thoughtful, personalized approach that defines my practice: evidence-based guidance delivered with genuine warmth and understanding.

Whether you're working on weight management, dealing with chronic conditions, or just trying to feel your best, this blog is here for you. Every post comes from my heart and my experience treating real people with real lives. People who are busy, who have families and jobs and a million things on their plates, but who want to take better care of themselves.

I believe in small, sustainable changes. No judgment, no unrealistic expectations, just practical advice that actually works for how you live. This is the same approach I take with my patients, because I know that lasting health happens when we meet you where you are.

I'm so glad you found your way here, and I'm honored to be part of your health journey.

Dr. Tui A. Lauilefue, MD
Internal Medicine | Obesity Medicine | Direct Primary Care


How to Stay Motivated on Your Weight Loss Journey Even When It’s Hard

October 6, 2025

At NiuOla Health, we understand that weight loss is more than just numbers on a scale. It’s a personal, emotional, and sometimes challenging journey. Staying motivated can be hard, whether you’re new or have been working toward your goals for a while. Life happens, progress can feel slow, and obstacles may arise. But here’s the […]

Read More

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Weight Without the Anxiety

September 29, 2025

Look, I get it. Talking to your doctor about weight can be anxiety-inducing. Maybe you’ve been there before. You found yourself sitting in that paper gown, feeling exposed and vulnerable, and wondering if you’re going to receive “the lecture” again. You’re definitely not alone in feeling this way. So many of my patients have shared […]

Read More

What to Eat Before and After a Workout for Weight Loss Success

A woman in athletic wear drinking from a water bottle labeled 'Aquaboost' inside a gym, with exercise equipment and people working out in the background.

September 22, 2025

Reaching your weight loss goals isn’t just about how much you move; what you eat before and after a workout plays a powerful role in your success. The right nutrition can fuel your body, enhance fat burning, and speed up recovery, all while helping you feel your best. Here’s how to make your meals work […]

Read More

How Inflammation Affects Weight Gain And What You Can Do About It

A stylized illustration representing inflammation, featuring a person surrounded by orange and red flames, with wellness icons such as citrus, hydration, meditation, and herbal remedies encircling them—symbolizing NiuOla Health’s holistic approach to managing inflammation and supporting overall wellness in Olympia, Washington.

September 15, 2025

The Hidden Barrier to Weight Loss Have you ever questioned why, despite adhering to all the “rules,” losing weight seems so impossible? Chronic inflammation, which you may be dealing with, is a hidden factor that can make losing weight much more difficult than it should be. Dr. Tui Lauilefue and our team at NiuOla Health […]

Read More

What You Need to Know About Inflammation and Weight Gain

September 8, 2025

Have you ever thought you were doing everything “right,” but the scale just won’t move? Chronic inflammation could be one reason why. At NiuOla Health in Olympia, Washington, we help people lose weight in a way that goes beyond counting calories and crash diets. Inflammation and weight gain are strongly correlated, according to several recent […]

Read More

Why One “Bad” Day Doesn’t Ruin Your Progress: Understanding Setbacks

September 4, 2025

Have you ever had a day when you didn’t work out, ate something you weren’t supposed to, or just felt like you were off track? We all have, and that doesn’t mean you failed. We at NiuOla Health in Olympia, Washington, believe in a caring, real-world approach to health. That means understanding that health journeys […]

Read More

My Direct Primary Care Journey: Burnout to Breakthrough

Image of Dr. Tui Lauilefue sitting in a chair in the patient exam room.

September 7, 2024

In 2024, healthcare continues to evolve rapidly. Unfortunately, the traditional model is failing both patients and physicians. As a result of experiencing this firsthand, I embraced Direct Primary Care (DPC), a revolutionary approach to healthcare. My Journey: From Academic Medicine to DPC I started my career at the Queen Emma Clinic in Honolulu, Hawaii. After […]

Read More

Direct Primary Care: Why We Don’t Take Insurance

February 13, 2023

Are you tired of long wait times, rushed appointments, and skyrocketing healthcare costs? Direct Primary Care (DPC) offers a refreshing alternative to traditional insurance-based medical practices. At NiuOla Health, we’ve made the conscious decision not to accept insurance. In this post, we’ll explore the compelling reasons behind this choice and how it significantly benefits our […]

Read More

Direct primary care (DPC) vs. the traditional insurance model

February 3, 2023

Are you tired of skyrocketing healthcare costs, long wait times, and impersonal medical care? If so, you’re not alone. While the traditional insurance-based healthcare model continues to fall short, many are turning to an innovative solution: Direct Primary Care (DPC). In this post, we’ll explore why DPC is revolutionizing healthcare and how it compares to […]

Read More