LifeSteps
Progress Happens... One Step at a Time...
Frequently Asked Questions
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I have completed the Adult Weight Management Certificate course offered through ADA. Do I still need to take your leader training?
The ADA Certificate course is an excellent course that provides important background and knowledge in the area of weight management. The LIFESTEPS Leader Training Course has a greater focus on skill building in the application of cognitive-behavioral strategies and behavioral feedback. The course also gives in depth information on how these strategies are utilized in the LIFESTEPS Program, group development, and covers logistical information for program operation. The LIFESTEPS Leader Training Course complements the ADA Certificate course and prepares you specifically to teach the LIFESTEPS Program.
Why do you recommend groups of 10-18 people? Wouldn’t it be more cost effective to work with a larger group?
Group size is important for a couple of reasons. Large groups don’t interact in the same way as smaller groups. In a behavior change setting like LIFESTEPS group members need to feel comfortable sharing which is less likely in a larger group. Also, the larger the group, the longer the weekly sessions need to be in order for everyone to have an opportunity to share in discussion. Groups of 10-18 people are large enough to fully develop as a group and yet small enough to provide the personal, sharing setting needed in a behavior change program.
I would like to maintain contact with my program participants over a longer time period. What can I do for maintenance after using the 11 Maintenance Sessions in LIFESTEPS?
When planning additional maintenance sessions keep the following points in mind. Maintenance sessions should be designed to build or enhance skills, not just transmit information. They should be participatory and interactive. And they should have some structure. Maintenance sessions can cover nutritional topics like a supermarket tour or a lesson on label reading. They can be brainstorming sessions to develop strategies for managing particular high-risk situations or provide a review of one of the 16 sessions in LIFESTEPS. A maintenance session can cover a more personal issue like choosing clothes for various body shapes/types. Just keep skill building, interactive and structured in mind when planning.
I have a friend in another state who recommended LIFESTEPS to me. What she paid for the program is different than the price for the program in my area. Why?
LIFESTEPS leaves the program pricing to the individual leaders and facilities offering the program. The factors that determine the cost of operating the program differ from facility to facility. Also, the weight loss market in terms of price and competition is different across the country. For these reasons each facility needs to do some market research and set their own program pricing.
Can I use the LIFESTEPS Program in an individual counseling setting?
The LIFESTEPS Weight Management Program was designed to be taught in a small group setting to add the important component of peer support. However, not everyone likes to participate in a group and several LIFESTEPS leaders have used the program in a one-on-one counseling situation with these clients.
