Education Sessions

There are six sessions in total which are all very interactive.

The leaders of the sessions are passionate about helping and encouraging patients to make healthy lifestyle changes. Throughout the Education Session we use visual aids and provide patient hand-outs and educational material to take away. These sessions have been set up to provide information on areas such as healthy eating but also on behavioural aspects needed to help you succeed with your weight loss targets in the long term.

For anyone considering bariatric surgery, it is vital to complete these sessions, some of which can be completed online.

 

Session 1: Healthy eating

Presented by a Dietitian

Visit the NHS’s pages on Easy and Healthy Recipe Ideas and The Recipe Finder as it’s a great place to get started.

  • The importance of the Eatwell plate and a balanced, healthy diet
  • The benefits to having a healthy BMI for example, reducing blood pressure, lower cholesterol and to reduce the risk of having Diabetes
  • The importance of different food groups and the effects on the body
  • Tips to promote weight loss
  • Self-monitoring food diary
  • Healthy Eating Quiz

 

Session 2: Awareness of behaviour

Presented by a Dietitian

  • Eating behaviours – How, why and what we eat and what influences this
  • Readiness to change – where are you on the cycle of change
  • Pros and Cons of making a change
  • What are your barriers to change
  • Food, mood and hunger diary
  • Introduction to Mindfulness

 

 

Session 3: Energy intakes

Presented by a Dietitian

  • Discuss main calorie sources
  • Explore the sugar content of food and drinks
  • The fat content of some common foods
  • Discuss food labels
  • Alternative names to look out for on labels

 

Session 4 – Lifestyle & diet

Presented by a Dietitian

  • Explore healthier choices when eating out
  • Discuss portion changes over the years
  • Discuss eating out pitfalls and potential solutions
  • 100 Calorie Healthier Swaps

 

Session 5 – Energy balance

Presented by a Dietitian

  • Achieve a Negative Energy Balance for Weight Loss
  • Control of energy intake
  • Becoming more active
  • Meal Planning
  • Healthy food choices
  • Behaviour Modification
  • Self-Monitoring
  • Identify problem areas

 

Session 6 – Coping strategies

Presented by a Psychologist

  • Introducing new ways of thinking about managing weight loss and trying out some ideas – “If it’s just a case of calories consumed balanced against burned physical activity, why is sustained weight loss so difficult to achieve?”
  • What are the challenges in coping with weight loss?
  • What is Mindfulness? – Being aware of you’re here-and-now experience, with openness, interest and receptiveness
  • Introducing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

 

All pictures provided by www.nhs.uk/change4life