So you’ve finally gotten that extra weight off. You’ve been eating properly, exercising — doing everything the right way — and you’ve met your target weight goal.
What are you going to do now?
The obvious goal after any weight loss is to keep it off. Ever-aware of that objective, the nutritionists with UAB’s EatRight Weight Control Service are adding a new Weight Maintenance Class to help you in your efforts.
The Weight Maintenance Class follows the successful EatRight Lifestyle and EatRight OPTIFAST programs. The new class is specifically designed to help those who have lost weight keep the unwanted pounds away.
“We’ve gotten positive feedback from the people who have participated in our EatRight program, and the one thing those who have gone through the program tell us is they are looking for something to help them maintain their weight loss,” says Lori Faulk Greene, a research coordinator and clinical dietician. “That’s exactly what this program will do.”
The once-a-week classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the third floor conference room at The Kirklin Clinic on Acton Road. There will be a noontime class at the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home, also located on Acton Road. Greene says another class may form on campus if there is sufficient demand.
Costs for the class range from $27.50-$35 per month depending on the length of the plan you choose.
Dietitians, exercise trainers, physiologists and physicians will be instructing the classes, which also will feature speakers who have been successful maintaining their weight.
There will be incentives for those who join the class and keep a record of their food intake and their physical activity.
“Keeping records consistently helps people stay accountable,” Greene says.
The class will be very interactive, says Greene, with activities such as exercise, food demonstration, recipe sharing and group discussion time slated as major components.
“People have told us they think they would get the most out of the class if it was interactive,” Greene says. “They will learn things by doing instead of just listening.”
Those interested in the Weight Maintenance Class do not have to be current or former participants of the EatRight Lifestyle or EatRight OPTIFAST programs to sign up. If you are interested in the Weight Maintenance Class, call the EatRight Weight Management Service at 934-7053 or e-mail Greene at faulkle@uab.edu. You can also learn more about all of the EatRight programs by visiting www.uab.edu/eatright.
Just getting started?
If you’ve recently decided you want to lose weight, the EatRight Lifestyle and EatRight OPTIFAST programs are accepting participants.
The EatRight Lifestyle program is a 12-week lifestyle-oriented, weight control program designed to beat the odds of the weight-loss battle, allowing participants to lose weight and keep it off by easing into new eating and activity habits. The focus is a high-volume, low-calorie meal pattern. “You’re getting more food for fewer calories,” Greene says.
OPTIFAST, a 30-week program, is a complete meal replacement system that is designed for people who need to lose at least 50 pounds. Those with moderate- to high-risk medical problems associated with being overweight are ideal candidates.
The UAB Risk Reduction Clinic is another key component of the EatRight Weight Management Services. It’s designed to provide comprehensive counseling about diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes to patients who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, including those who are overweight or have Type 2 diabetes, are pre-diabetic, or have higher than normal blood pressure or elevated cholesterol.
Hungry now?
Don’t forget that healthy dining options are available on campus.
The new Commons on the Green has a vegan and salad bar, providing traditional salad favorites and a wide array of vegan alternatives and more. Grilled food and vegetables also are available.
For more information on any of UAB EatRight’s programs, call 934-7053 or visit www.uab.edu/eatright .