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Get Group Help To Lose Weight

Learn exercise and nutrition tips in “Your Weigh … Together” program

Exercise was never a problem for Marissa Lane, but she didn’t pay much attention to what she ate. 

She used artificial sweeteners often, drank soda and loved ice cream sandwiches as a treat. All of which are no longer part of her diet after she learned to better examine her intake as part of “Your Weigh...Together,” an educational weight management initiative led by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program.

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“Weekly classes keep you accountable, but you learn so many different things by sharing stories and experts teaching the course offer wonderful advice,” said Lane, business manager for the Department of Religious Studies. “Instead of finding a quick fix, you learn to better understand what you’re going through and how to improve.”

Registration for the next session of Your Weigh Together is open for classes each Thursday starting Sept. 15. Two options are available with limited spaces:

  • Noon to 1 p.m. at University Tower room 7305
  • 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Hock Plaza room 12062

Your Weigh… Together begins with an individual session with a program leader to set a weight loss plan. It’s then followed by 10 weekly group sessions to cover many topic areas, from dealing with emotional eating to cooking meals at home and exercise tips. Each participant receives a workbook for meal planning, grocery lists, recipes, and a digital pedometer to track steps.

To participate, employees pay an upfront fee of $75 by check, but the money is fully refunded upon completion of the program with attendance at eight or more of the 10 classes. If registration is full for the upcoming fall session, employees will be added to a waitlist for the next round of classes to begin in the winter. 

“We try to keep things informal with lots of discussion and advice from the group because our goal is to teach skills that will keep employees on track to reach their goals,” said Esther Granville, nutrition program manager for LIVE FOR LIFE. “It’s about learning things that will stick with you after the program is over.” 

After completion, there’s even a “graduate” level program to offer ongoing support and information.

For Lane, the program brought her together with 14 other Duke employees to find a healthier balance between food and activity to reach health and wellness goals. After joining the program in January, Lane learned to create more balanced meals, have better portion control and started eating foods based off the Paleo diet, which calls for meat and produce. She also started a new exercise routine, incorporating yoga and strength training into cardio work. She’s lost 21 pounds so far.

“Whether your goal is to eat better or lose weight, this program gets you to start,” Lane said. “You learn about nutrition and you learn how to eat and then the results will follow.”