Information on Loughborough

Healthy Lifestyle Iniative

Posted on 11/06/07
P. Klein

overweigh manLoughborough Universitys sports science service are to shortly launch a new programme aimed at helping people to lose weight and get active.

While there are many weight-loss programmes on the market, the catch is with the Loughborough programme, is that there is no catch.

"People have bought into a lot of weight loss programmes because they are led to believe there is a magic way of losing weight said the Sports Science services healthy lifestyle co-ordinator Beth Hanson. "The lifestyle service is committed to education and support, helping people to help themselves.

"Truly the best way to go about losing weight is in a controlled way that isnt too restrictive. Its about having a nice healthy diet and being active.

Hansons programme, which has been trialled at the University with 15 staff signing up for the three one-hour workshops, involves people looking at the daily routines, habits and behaviours they have developed over the years that have contributed to not only weight gain but also a less active lifestyle.

"You dont wake up one day overweight " its the accumulation of years of habits and reflects the lifestyle that you are used to, added Hanson.

"The nature of office jobs predisposes people to being sedentary, while as you get older you have different responsibilities which may have stopped you from getting involved in regular exercise and eating healthily.

"What our course does is help people look at their typical day and reflect how things have changed over the years and what habits they have picked up before we then ask them to work out how attached they are to those behaviours.

"They evaluate the confidence that they have in their ability to change, and how important it is to them to make the change. If confidence and motivation are low, ways in which they could go about improving this are discussed.

"It is really just all about identifying the little things you could change to get the benefits in the long run, rather than going on a crash diet only to find yourself back at square one by the end of it.

"Its lifestyle changes as opposed to quick fixes.

The weight-loss seminars are just part of the services offered by the sports science service, which includes health assessments. The service is also to shortly launch a corporate wellbeing package aimed at businesses helping to improve staff health.

The first series of weight loss workshops will be available from June 11. Cost is 24.75 plus VAT.

Ends

For workshop enquiries please contact:

  • Beth Hanson, Lifestyle Advisor on 01509 226757

    or lifestyle@lboro.ac.uk