These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) are compiled by the State-wide Lighten Up to a Healthy Lifestyle Working Group, according to questions that have arisen from facilitators, from colleagues and referral sources, and from participants of the program.
Choose from the following questions:
What is Lighten Up and how long does it go for?
Lighten Up will help you develop a healthy attitude towards eating and physical activity, and manage stress better. It includes a minimum of two individual screening appointments with each participant and seven workshops over ten weeks. Sessions include increasing everyday physical activity, making better food choices, reading food labels, adapting recipes, stress management, problem solving and develop a social support network to help you sustain your new healthy habits.
Why don’t I get weighed every week?
Measures of success should not be looked at in terms of weight loss alone. For instance, regular walking activity, physical wellness, regular food label reading, improved self-esteem, weight maintenance are all successful lifestyle changes and outcomes as well.
Lighten Up does not solely focus on weight loss. Rather it looks at the whole picture in terms of lifelong lifestyle changes. You will have an individual health screening conducted at the beginning and the end of the program.
I really want a weekly meal plan. Will Lighten Up provide that?
Lighten Up does not provide a "diet" or meal plan to follow, as it is about empowering you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make your own informed decisions about what to eat according to your own daily routine and requirements.
Meal plans are inflexible and do not allow for special occasions or variations on a day-to-day basis. Lighten Up teaches you to make informed and flexible choices based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.
What happens after the nine to ten weeks?
One way of ensuring all the hard work and lifestyle changes you've made during the course of the program are maintained is to continue the support and motivation you provided to each other. Your facilitator may arrange some follow-up time with you as a group to catch up, learn additional information and renew your enthusiasm.
Following the completion of the program, you are encouraged to continue with some form of regular support. This could be with the Lighten Up group you've come to know, or another group that might already exist in your local area (eg. Just Walk It group, aqua-aerobics group, 10 000 steps group), or maybe form a brand new group that could lobby for more healthy choices to be served at the local takeaway shop, or for better walkways in your town.
Is it similar to other commercial weight management programs?
Commercial weight management programs vary in their approaches, with most having a focus on weight goals; and providing a diet to follow, or kilojoules / points to count. Most commercial weight management programs also have a weekly cost attached.
Lighten Up is a nine to ten week healthy lifestyle program that has a strong focus on group support, individual goal setting and problem solving, and education. Goals focus on healthier behaviours rather than on weight loss. Lighten Up has a one-off payment which includes the Lighten Up participant book.
I've tried many diets before, why would this one work?
Lighten Up is not a diet. A diet is generally something which is short term and requires severely restricting or radically changing your dietary intake.
Lighten Up will help you to learn to prepare and enjoy healthy food, discover enjoyable ways to be physically active, overcome problems and set goals, feel better about yourself and develop a support network to help you sustain your new habits.
How do we know it works?
Lighten Up was developed by a range of health professionals and continues to be funded by Queensland Health. Health professionals who have undergone special training to be Lighten Up facilitators run the program.
The results of state-wide evaluation show that Lighten Up is successful in improving eating habits; physical activity habits; self esteem; and weight status (both in terms of weight loss, and decreasing waist circumference); as well as decreasing overall risk of chronic disease. For more detailed information on these results, see the Evaluation of the Lighten Up to a Healthy Lifestyle program, 2004.
Is there a minimum age to attend the program?
The minimum age to attend Lighten Up is 18.
Is the program for both men and women?
Yes, the program is open to both men and women.
Do I need a referral letter?
It's not required, however it can be helpful if you have existing medical problems.
How can I find out more information about Lighten Up?
Contact the Community Health Services in your area
If I can’t attend a Lighten Up Program can I get the Lighten Up book?
Yes - the 145 page A4 book is available for $11 (inc GST) plus post and packing from:
SDS Publications or phone 1800 679 778
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