The Vitality Approach

1
The Vitality Approach

• The vitality approach calls for a shift from
• negative to positive thinking
• about how to
• achieve and maintain
• healthy weights.

2
The Vitality Approach involves

• Healthy Eating
• Active Living
• Positive Self and Body Image

3
Change from aweight centred approach

• DIETING
• Restrictive dieting
• Counting calories, prescriptive diets
• Weight cycling (yo-yo diets)
• Eating disorders

4
TO THE VITALITY APPROACH

• HEALTHY EATING
• Take pleasure in eating a variety of foods
• Enjoy lower-fat and complex-carbohydrate foods
  more often
• Meet the bodys energy and nutrient needs through
  a lifetime of healthy enjoyable eating
• Take control of how you eat by listening to your
  hunger cues

5
Change from aweight centred approach

• EXERCISE
• No pain, no gain
• Must be done three times a week in your target
  rate zone
• Burns calories
• High attrition rates for vigorous exercise
  programs

6
TO THE VITALITY APPROACH

• ACTIVE LIVING
• Value and practice activities that are moderate
  and fun
• Be active your way every day
• Participate for the joy of feeling your body move
• Enjoy regular physical activities as a part of
  your daily lifestyle

7
Change from aweight centred approach

• DISSATISFACTION WITH SELF
• Unrealistic goals for body size and shape
• Obsession and preoccupation with weight
• Fat phobia and discrimination against overweight
  people
• Striving to be a perfect size and to maintain an
  impossible ideal (thin or muscular) body size
• Accepting the fashion, diet, and tobacco
  industries emphasis on slimness

8
TO THE VITALITY APPROACH

• POSITIVE SELF AND BODY IMAGE
• Accept and recognize that healthy bodies come in
  a range of weights, shapes and sizes
• Appreciate your strengths and abilities
• Be tolerant of a wide range of body sizes and
  shapes
• Relax and enjoy the unique characteristics you
  have to offer
• Be critical of messages that focus on unrealistic
  thinness (in women) and muscularity (in men) as
  symbols of success and happiness

9
Change to the Vitality Approach

• Healthy Eating (not dieting)
• Active Living (not just exercise)
• Positive Self and Body Image (not a
  dissatisfaction with yourself)

Healthy living results in Happy living