The Wellspring Plan: Scientific Weight Loss That Works
Wellspring Vancouver is a fitness and weight loss program based on decades of scientific research on what actually works for dramatic weight loss and long-term weight control. It is not a fad diet or a magical pill. And unlike traditional weight loss camps, diet camps, fat camps or boot camps, Wellspring proves its effectiveness every year. The rapid weight loss at camp (averaging approximately 4 lbs. of weight loss per week) and long-term results (continued weight loss after camp) of Wellspring campers has been presented and praised at scientific conferences, in professional journals, and in the media around the world. The Wellspring Plan is based on simple, scientific, and sustainable changes, including:
- Low-Fat, Low-Density Diet: Campers learn to enjoy a nutritious and delicious low-fat, low-density diet that satisfies hunger and counteracts the biological and environmental factors that contribute to weight gain. Food at Wellspring is created with kids in mind—featuring healthier versions of the flavors, textures and ingredients that kids are used to eating. The diet benefits children and teens of all ages because it is very simple, easy to follow, and keeps the control in their hands, rather than requiring parents to be the “food police.” Campers learn to cook the same foods they eat at camp, to shop for these foods in grocery stores, and to order these foods in restaurants.
- Activity Management: Campers attain their goal of at least 10,000 steps each and every day through a range of exciting fitness activities. Many of our campers exceed 20,000 or more steps per day. Activities at Wellspring Vancouver, such as morning walks and hikes, weight training and workouts on gym equipment encourage and motivate campers to continue this progress at home because the activities and skills they learn are transferable to everyday life – before school, after school, on evenings and on weekends.
- Lifestyle Change: Unlike traditional weight loss camps or fat camps, Wellspring Vancouver employs therapists trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help campers make permanent changes in diet and activity. At Wellspring, we understand the impact of excess weight on all facets of a person’s life. Therefore, a combination of intensive training on core self-regulatory behaviors proven effective for successful long-term weight control and CBT, which reinforces this training, is incorporated into daily camp life. Wellspring Vancouver’s CBT sessions also help improve stress management skills, enhance frustration tolerance, and allow campers to work through the issues that might be contributing to their excess weight, such as emotional eating or resorting to food as an unhealthy coping mechanism for when campers are feeling anxious or stressed. Trained Master’s and Doctoral-level therapists called Behavioral Coaches work with each camper in this central part of the Wellspring program.
- Family Involvement: Wellspring Vancouver strongly encourages families to join us for a two-day Family Workshop, where the entire family learns how to live a healthy lifestyle. Parents learn the best strategies for maximizing support for their new weight controller, which is key for long-term success.
- Continuing Care: Achievement and success in weight loss do not end when camp is over. Instead, campers participate in a ONE YEAR Continuing Care program, continuing to work with their Behavioral Coach from camp, self-monitoring, and communicating with fellow campers online.
Every facet of the Wellspring Vancouver program -- diet, activities, behavioral therapy, family involvement, and continuing care — is based on decades of experience and research on what works for initial and sustained weight loss.
As you can see, Wellspring Vancouver is not a traditional weight loss camp, diet camp, boot camp, or fat camp, but rather the most effective option available to help your child return to a healthy weight, and a transformative experience your child will remember and treasure.
Learn more about Obesity Research and Dr. Dan Kirschenbaum »
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