Rationale behind the SmartShape weight management programme
1. Behavioural eating therapy
Scientific research into diets and weight loss is slowly providing us with evidence of what is the most successful approach to both attaining and maintaining weight loss. Of no particular surprise to psychologists, this growing body of evidence strongly suggests that we need to balance out our traditional diet centred approach to weight loss with one that has far more emphasis on the behavioural component of eating.
Behavioural therapy is radically different from the traditional dietary approach you may be used to. For example dietary management typically involves emphasis on our food choices, whereas the behavioural approach lays specific emphasis on three key behavioural domains. These include;
- When we choose to start eating (our eating triggers)
The guiding principle behind this therapy is that a behaviour is learned and therefore can be unlearnt and replaced with new more appropriate behaviours.
2. Why most weight loss approaches are failing you
It is now widely excepted that our traditional dietary centred approach to weight loss must alter, however ironic that may seem. Research has indicated time and time again that the most successful weight loss interventions (in terms of achieving and then maintaining weight loss) are based around a combination of increased physical activity, dietary therapy and behavioural modification of eating habits. Yet many approaches still focus entirely just on what to eat, with little or no advice around exercise, never mind behavioural therapy. Many of us know what to eat, and how to eat sensibly, its just doing it that’s the hard part. The difficulty lies in that our eating behaviours are strongly habitual, and so changing ones diet without addressing the underlying behaviours is akin to trying to stop smoking while still buying cigarettes! By fostering the principles of behavioural psychology SmartShape can make weight loss a much easier process, and thus also help you to maintain your target weight.
3. The combined approach to weight loss
SmartShape was developed in response to research findings which have shown the clear value of combining the above 3 therapies together. The SmartShape programme structure is designed so that appropriate time is to devoted to each of the above components. SmartShape however has taken such research findings three steps further;
1) Behavioural therapy
SmartShape recognises that for behavioural modification techniques to be maximally effective then they must be based around the individual, e.g. a client centred approach. By working collaboratively with the therapist on a 1 to 1 basis you will explore your own personal eating triggers and the behaviours underlying your own food choices. Specific strategies are then drawn-up in an attempt to develop new and more appropriate eating behaviours, of which are essential for successful long term weight control.
2) Exercise therapy
SmartShape recognises the importance of having a coach who can both motivate you and guide your exercise sessions. A personal trainer can do just that. Because the exercise sessions are based around you it means you can choose when you want to exercise, at a time based around your convenience and lifestyle. A personal trainer will help motivate you to step outside your comfort zone, and ensure you make progression from session to session. Don’t forget that exercise habits can be formed like new eating habits can!
3) Dietary therapy
At SmartShape, the central focus of the dietary intervention is not a prefabricated commercially developed diet, but rather you and your current food choices. Because the SmartShape programme is client centred it means all dietary advice and therapy is tailor made to you, thus any advice given will be in context of your own taste preferences, your own domestic and social situation, and your lifestyle. This maximises the chance of compliance with dietary advice, and thus weight loss success.
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