Table 2 Lifestyle self-management tools used in Shape up for Life
Activity title | Delivery method | Description | Anticipated outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
Action Planning, Problem solving | Leader facilitates sharing of information | Behaviour-specific short goal setting, addressing lifestyle barriers | Learn to set reasonable, behaviour-specific goals (shared or individual), and monitor personal goals/progress |
Managing food and activity triggers | Group brainstorm, problem solving | Identify habits relating to diet and physical activity, selecting common issues to address. | Learn coping strategies for personal dietary issues (eg. snacking), and for increasing opportunities for physical activity |
Managing family, social and cultural pressures | Group brainstorm, problem solving | Identify habits associated with social situations and cultural/family habits, selecting common issues to address | Learn coping strategies for habitual overeating and drinking, and for increasing opportunities for physical activity |
Progressive muscle relaxation | Leader reads and directs scripted activity | Guided practice of relaxation of major muscle groups | Raise body/muscle awareness to assist in movement patterns (eg. for exercise), and general tension release |
Better breathing | Leader provides lecturette & reads script for activity | Guided practice of breathing fully and more effectively | Learn to breathe diaphragmatically, to assist in physical activity, and for relieving shortness of breath, and general tension |
Fatigue management | Leader provides lecturette, group brainstorm | Identify causes of, and solutions for, managing fatigue | Learn coping strategies to address low energy, to improve motivation; in general and for physical activity |
Self talk (positive thinking) | Leader provides lecturette, group brainstorm | Identify personal negative thoughts, and how to change into positive, constructive thought patterns | Learn to use helpful thoughts for motivation, improve self-efficacy to reach goals |
Depression management | Leader provides lecturette, group brainstorm | Identify causes of, and suggestions for managing difficult times in life | Learn coping strategies to assist in managing for motivation, improve self-efficacy to achieve and maintain lifestyle changes |
Mind management and distraction | Leader provides lecturette & reads script for activity | Guided practice of cognitive short-term distraction techniques | Learn to use distracting thoughts to assist in managing behavioural issues, self-control, (eg. for eating and physical activity) and stress |
Making informed treatment decisions | Leader provides lecturette, group brainstorm | Discussion about health treatments (eg. weight loss products and programs) highlighting possible benefits, risks and efficacy | Raise overall awareness of issues relating to health-related treatments, highlighting need to make informed decisions about lifestyle choices |
Guided imagery | Leader reads script for activity | Guided practice of cognitive relaxation sequence | Learn to use relaxing thoughts to assist in relaxation, relieve stress and tension |
Obesity prevention | Leader provides lecturette, group brainstorm | Discussion of hosts, carriers and environments contributing to obesity, suggestions for change | Raise overall awareness of the modifiable social, environmental and individual influences on lifestyle |