I attend 3 support group meetings each month. They are all different, but all very important to the success of my WLS journey. (A description of the 3 meetings and how they are different.)
If you are a WLS Support Group Leader - please feel free to use these ideas for your own meeting. You are free to use my handouts as long as you leave my name intact as author. If you use a topic idea or handout, please send an email and let me know how the discussion goes with your members. If you are a member of my support group and notice I've missed a topic from the past, holler at me and I'll get it added (you know I have a bad memory).
Construction Note: I am still gathering various materials and converting them to downloadable files. As I finish files I'll link them to these topics. But in the meantime, I want to get this list up and available for those seeking meeting ideas. Keep an eye on this page - updates are coming!
Past WLS Support Group Meeting Topics
- Vitamin and Nutrition Guidelines
- Brainstorming Session to compile group "favorites" lists
- Weekly Goals Worksheet (.xls)
- Achieve a Goal - Reward Yourself
- Goals and Resolutions
- Setting Realistic Goals
- Managing Emotional Eating
- Love yourself enough to do what's right for your health.
- I am Grateful
- Negative Self Talk vs. Positive Self Talk
- Measuring Success without the Scale
- Looking for Potential ... Not Flaws
- Exercise is Fun
- Video games as exercise
- Success Habits of the Weight Loss Surgery Patient - book club, reviewing 1 chapter each month
- Understanding Vitamins
- Understanding Protein (link to the Protein Series here on the blog)
- The Bariatric Food Pyramid
- Metabolism and Plateaus
- Portion Control
- Back to Basics
- Name one good thing. Name one bad thing.
- Exercise won't make you thin. (Based on this Time Magazine article.)
- Food Journaling
- How to read nutrition labels and ingredient lists
Upcoming WLS Support Group Meeting Topics
- The realities of regain
- Understanding the types of weight loss surgery - RNY, DS, Band, Sleeve
- Doodle Therapy
- Food addiction
Fun WLS Support Group Activities - either at a meeting or in addition to monthly meetings
- Goodwill Shopping Field Trip
- Pool Party instead of formal discussion and typical meeting
- Invited professional/medical speaker - plastic surgeon
- Series of 5k races together
- Christmas Party - gift exchange and potluck
- Protein Ice Cream Social - making homemade ice cream together
- Protein shake taste testing
- Clothing Exchange
- Before and After (during) Photo Scrapbook Album
