Weight loss is a long-term project

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 12, 18 August 1987, Page 13

Weight loss is a long-term project

A nutritionist from England with 10 years experience as a dietitian, who was "a fat kid from a fat family", is in thc Waimarino to run a 10 week course for women who are continually dieting or feel out of control around food. Entitled 'Dissatisfied With Your Last Diet?', Karen's course aims to unite women with common problems, women who feel negative about their body image or feel they are addicted to food. Karen said at the beginning of the course she asks

women to stop dieting and weighing themselves. The reason for this she said, is because food is not categorized into 'shoulds' or 'should not's'. Instead the group learn how to taste and enjoy food. The course is based on the principles of Susie Orbach, author of 'Fat is a Feminist Issue'. She explains why women gain weight, why they regain weight after dieting and how they can learn to stabilize their weight. Communication is the key and Karen plans simple games to help the

group to relate how. their attitudes to food were formed during childhood and what triggers compulsive eating. The group learn to support one another and Karen says it is vital for members to attend all 10 sessions, a total of 20 hours. The course is in stages, looking initially at exposing the guilt that surrounds dieting and food, then looking at basic needs. Karen said she does not make any claims about women losing weight in just 10 weeks, but in the long run the course is highly successful. "A slow change is a lot healthier," she said. "My aim is to help women feel much happier within themselves about their bodies, which is carried beyond the support group and for them to accept their bodies ior what they are." Karen said she has run a number of courses, as well as conventional slimming clinics and private consultation sessions. She maintains the support group is the most successful and helps women to help themselves. Karen can be contacted by phoning 59-045. Raetihi School children are 'praying for snow', according to Principal Geoff Lovegrove. The school's ski programme has been upset due to the unseasonal lack of snow on the mountain and the programme is already two weeks behind schedule.