Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Support Groups in Everett
Northwest Weight Loss Surgery is committed to helping you achieve your weight loss goals. Studies show that people who frequently attend weight loss support groups lose more weight.
It is essential to have a solid support system in place when you are trying to lose weight. A support group is a place to get your questions answered. At group, you can get the help and encouragement you need from people who are on the same journey. If you struggle, you will find people at support group who can give you help, advice, and encouragement. Support group is also a great place to share your victories and find people who will cheer you on.
Our exclusive Everett support group is currently meeting in the clinic conference room:
The second Monday of the month 7: 00 to 9:00pm
With a repeat session
The third Thursday of the month at 10:00am to 12:00pm
2012 Support Group Schedule
January
Topic: New Year Nutrition Refresher
This session will be led by Sara Schlosser our registered dietician & Patti Lightfoot our physician assistant. This session is all about making wiser food choices. We will talk about the components of a healthy meal, how to read labels, portion sizes, and recipes. How much protein do we really need? We will have bariatric supplements to sample and play a game or two of weight loss bingo.
Recommended Home Reading: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein Recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years After Surgery by Patt Levine, Michele Bontmpo-Saray. Preview this book on Google
Monday, January 9th - 7:00pm
Thursday, January 19th - 10:00am
February
Topic: Relationships
Do people treat you differently after losing weight?
Our panel of weight loss surgery patient's explore changes in relationships with family, friends, professional situations and their relationship with food.
"When you are large you can become a bit invisible - people sometimes don't look you in the eye". After weight loss, people become more likely to engage with you and this can be a bit unsettling if you use your weight as a shield from attention, as some of us do. People can become focused on your weight loss and it can come to dominate conversation. Larger friends and relatives can become defensive as your weight drops, even if you don't say anything, some people may not be able to handle your weight loss and see it as a competition or as a commentary on their own circumstances. Friends (even spouses) can find it very confronting. It's good to be aware that there are those who may not be supportive.
As you lose the weight, you might find it hard to recognize your new self. You may still see yourself as heavy, because that is what you have always known, until now. It can be a very difficult adjustment for those who have been overweight their whole life. Losing weight and becoming a new healthy person is exciting, we will spend time talking about some of the emotional adjustments along the journey.
Recommended Home Reading: Where You End And I Begin: How To Recognize And Set Healthy Boundaries Anne Katherine MA. Anne Katherine, M.A., is a psychotherapist, licensed mental health counselor, and popular author who is known for her pioneering work in developing effective programs for recovery from food addiction and discovery of life purpose.
Monday, February 13th - 7:00pm
Thursday, February 16th - 10:00am
March
Topic: March to The Beat
Physical fitness options, tips and instruction. We'll help you include more movement comfortably into your week. We will explore activities for all sizes and levels of fitness and the motivational traps that may cause you to avoid activities.
Wear workout clothes to this group because your heart rate will be going up to shrink your waist line down. Come demonstrate or share your favorite physical activity.
Recommended Homework - Think of two reasons why it is wise to gradually increase your activity level. Walking and running are our most basic forms of play. Children run and walk for play but we often lose this playfulness. Adults can rediscover their sense of childhood play and regain youthful health and fitness by rediscovering walking or running. If you're not doing much physical activity start walking. Utilize a pedometer or phone App. to calculate your steps and challenge yourself to gradually increase your steps. Health and fitness experts advocate taking 10,000 steps per day.
Monday, March 12th - 7:00pm
Thursday, March 15th - 10:00am
April
Topic: Happy Hour
A study published in the April 1 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Suggests that the consumption of liquid calories from beverages has increased in parallel with the obesity epidemic. Liquid calories are a bigger culprit than food itself, when it comes to weight loss, The researchers examined the relationship between beverage consumption among adults and weight change and found weight loss linked to a reduction in liquid calorie consumption.
Order drinks and sample some great low calories options at the Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Happy Hour as we discuss the importance of liquids in your weight loss plan.
Homework: Please bring your favorite healthy appetizer recipe to share with the group. We will select one recipe and have that person assist in preparing it for our May support group. (Include portion sizes and calories and we will combine all into take home hand out)
Monday, April 9th - 7:00pm
Thursday, April 19th - 10:00am
May
Topic: Celebrity Chef
Every year, the Celebrity Chef Tour comes to Northwest Weight Loss Surgery. In restaurants across America, innovative local chefs are serving fabulous, exciting dishes to their customers. They are known in their communities as the local culinary trendsetters. We are pleased to present Chef Bob and his Sous Chef Alana (Dr. Michaelson & Dr. Chock). These talented chefs will prepare a few dishes for you to sample while taking questions from the audience.
Recommended Home Work : Bring a weight loss friendly recipe to share.
Monday, May 14th - 7:00pm
Thursday, May 17th - 10:00am
June
Topic: The New You
A few years ago, a study found that happiness may breed success, rather than the other way around. The researchers suggested that happy people were more likely to seek out opportunities that would ensure their success. We believe happy people are more likely to stick to a way of eating that works for them, and less likely to eat from stress, depression or anxiety. Sometimes as heavy people we have learned to hide with the clothes that we select, or we find a shirt that fits so we buy it in four colors (same shirt). As the pounds melt us into a new shape, it can be fun and exciting to discover a personal style that may be much different than before.
There's no point in delaying happiness, or loving your body and yourself, while you wait to achieve your goals. It's all a process and it will be a life-long one.
We will have a hair stylist, makeup artist and fashion experts providing demonstrations on how to dress for success. Three lucky audience members will be selected in a drawing to take part in the makeover.
Recommended Home Reading: Changing for Good by James O. Prochaska, PhD, John C. Norcross PhD, Carlo C. Diclemente
Monday, June 11th - 7:00pm
Thursday, June 21st - 10:00am
July
Topic: A walk in the park
Life is not always a walk in the park and neither is weight loss. To assist with life's ups and down exercise is key.
Rain or Shine, We will meet up at the park that is located two blocks from Northwest Weight Loss Surgery.
McCollum Pioneer Park
600 128th Street SE
Everett, WA 98204
Please bring a matt or towel as we will start with some stretching and strengthening exercises. We will then split up into small groups for a walking and talking support group. If you are unable to walk the trails we will have chair exercises set up to accommodate everyone, so please come out and connect. Meet a walking partner that lives in your area for future jaunts at the parks in your neighborhood.
Recommended Homework - Do a web search of all the walking trails and parks within 20 minutes of your home and make a plan to visit each one, or join the local mall walking group in your area.
Monday, July 9th - 7:00pm
Thursday, July 19th - 10:00am
August
Topic: Learning to say YES
How many times have you heard yourself say "no" or "I can't"? Instead of saying no in life start saying yes. Yes to yourself, yes to take time for you, yes to choose a healthier life.
Empowerment and the courage to change starts from within.
Recommended Homework: Make a bucket list of things that you have always wanted to try or wished that you could do. Bring it to group with you for a sharing exercise.
Monday, August 13th - 7:00pm
Thursday, August 16th
September
Topic: Food Awareness
This session is all about making wise food choices. Using games, skits, and examples we will talk about the components of a healthy meal, how to read labels, portion sizes, and recipes. We bring in real food examples. We will discuss what restaurants to choose and what to order. This discussion is great planning for how to manage holidays and parties and still lose weight.
Recommended Home Reading: Picture Perfect Weight Loss by Dr. Shapiro
Recommended Home Work: Track caloric intake for five days to self-evaluate before attending this eye opening session. (www.Fitday.com)
Monday, September 10th - 7:00pm
Thursday, September 20th - 10:00am
October
Topic: Dance , Dance, Dance
Many forms of dance can cause weight loss. Dancing is a fantastic form of exercise. Not only does it raise the heart rate through movement, dancing also tones and tightens the major muscle groups of the body. Dancing can burn as many calories as walking, swimming or riding a bicycle. One of the best things you can do to lose weight is to find a physical activity that you actually enjoy doing, because then you will be more likely to do it.
Dancing is one of the best ways to beat the blues. We have invited a local Zumba instructor to get us up and moving.
Recommended Homework: Make a CD of your favorite dance songs and turn it up while doing daily household task. Sign up for a dance class and learn some new steps.
Monday, October 8th - 7:00pm
Thursday, October 18th - 10:00am
November
Topic: Motivational Speaker
We will be both surprised and inspired by our guest motivational speaker.
Recommended Homework: Create a list of everything you are grateful for - it may surprise you to see how blessed you are. Journal how you felt and limitations you have overcome so far in your weight loss journey. Celebrate your success!
Monday, November 12th - 7:00pm
Thursday, November 15th - 10:00am
December
Topic: Stress Management through the Holidays
The holiday season often brings unwelcome pressures - stress and sometimes depression. And it's no wonder. The holidays present a dizzying array of demands - decorating, parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name just a few.
But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. End up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you could. We will explore how to deal with stress, family and holiday pressure.
Recommended Homework: Take an hour or two for yourself and declare a holiday strike!! - Go to see a movie, get a pedicure or just go for a walk.
Monday, December 10th - 7:00pm
Thursday, December 20th - 10:00am
Online Support Groups
Many of our patients use these Yahoo Groups for support and information about weight loss surgery:
SmartBandsters (general focus)
PNW Bandsters (regional focus)
Community-Based Support Groups
Research indicates that patients who attend support groups after surgery achieve greater weight loss. We encourage all our patients to participate in the free weight loss support groups led by Northwest Weight Loss Surgery staff. For more information about these groups and other weight loss support groups in the Northwest, please call us at 800-979-8982. |
