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The Wellspring Plan: Scientific, Sustainable Weight Loss

Wellspring is not fat camp, and is not a fad diet. It 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.

Unlike traditional weight loss camps or fat camps, Wellspring has proven its effectiveness year-after-year. Campers at Wellspring Texas lose on average 4 lbs per week, and on average continue to lose weight after camp. These results have been presented at scientific conferences, published in journals and covered by media organizations around the world.

The Wellspring Plan is based on simple, scientific, and sustainable changes, including:

Low-Fat Diet: campers learn to enjoy a low-fat diet that is nutritious and delicious. The diet is designed to counteract the biological and environment factors that contribute to weight gain, while satisfying hungry campers throughout the summer. It is also a very simple diet which all children and teens are able to follow themselves – keeping the control in their hands, rather than forcing 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: Campers achieve at least 10,000 steps each day through a range of exciting activities such as walks, hikes, fitness classes, canoeing, and playing sports Many of our campers reach 20,000 or more steps per day. The exciting activities are designed to help motivated campers to continue this progress at home.

Lifestyle Change: Unlike traditional weight loss camps, boot camps or fat camps, Wellspring employs therapists trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help campers make permanent changes in diet and activity. Campers learn self-monitoring, an important skill to help them understand the food they put into their bodies, and the activity they do to work it off. CBT reinforces self-monitoring behavior and encourages campers to connect their eating and activity with their emotions. CBT sessions also help improve stress management skills, enhance frustration tolerance, and allow campers to understand their personal issues that might contribute to excess weight. 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 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—both in good times, and when their child is struggling.

Continuing Care: Campers participate in a full year of Continuing Care using our online self-monitoring tool. Campers continue to work with their Behavioral Coach from camp, documenting their food, activity, and weight loss, and reaching out if they need help or advice. Campers can also stay in touch with friends from camp using discussion boards and posting updates on themselves.

Every facet of the Wellspring program-- diet, activity, CBT, family involvement, and continuing care — is based on decades of experience and research on what works best to lose weight and become healthy.

As you can see, Wellspring Texas is not a traditional weight loss camp or fat camp, but rather the most effective option available to help your child return to a healthy weight.

Learn more about Obesity Research and Dr. Dan Kirschenbaum »

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