Lighten Up slimming programme for men launches in January2002

 

9 November 2001

 

From January 2002, the innovative Lighten Up approach toweight management will be running its first courses for men. Lighten Up,supported by BUPA, recognises that modern lifestyles which encourage poordiets, little exercise and consequently expanding bellies, are not exclusive towomen, at whom most conventional slimming systems are aimed. Overweight menhave the same health and personal image problems as women.

In fact, men actually have more cause for concern about their weight than theirfemale counterparts. According to a report by the National Audit Officepresented to Parliament in February 2001, "nearly two thirds of men andover half of women in England are now overweight or obese." Thecombination of a less active lifestyle and changes to eating patterns areblamed for the rise in obesity.

 

Mind over matter

 

Developed by Pete Cohen, the slimming coach andmotivational trainer behind GMTV's 'Inch Loss Island', he realised that hismale clients also needed help. "Lighten Up is the only weight managementprogramme which puts motivation first and armed with these techniques, you willsoon gain insight into the psychology of slimming, in turn allowing you torelearn your relationship with food."

 

Learning to control eating habits, coupled with soundadvice on nutrition and sensible exercise, Lighten Up really is anindispensable practical and straightforward step to a fulfilled lifestyle.

 

Diets do not work - Lighten Up does

 

Life skills consultant and co-author of best selling bookLighten Up, Judith Verity says: "Going on a 'diet' is ineffective and canbe dangerous - and 95 per cent of people who diet, regain the weight when it'sfinished. Sixty eight per cent of people who follow the Lighten Up programmeachieve long-term weight loss."

 

Sally Gunnell OBE has lent her full support to Lighten Up,as she believes that motivational skills are the key to becoming slimmer,fitter and healthier. "I tried to lose weight when I was competing, so Ido understand the problem a lot of people have with their weight. So manypeople have problems with food and that's why I was drawn to the Lighten UpSlimming programme. It's about learning to control our eating habits andstopping them becoming a barrier."

 

Lighten Up is Supported by BUPA

 

As part of a campaign to combat the 2.5 billion spent eachyear on obesity in the UK, BUPA has bought a controlling stake in Lighten Up."BUPA has been concerned about the problem of excess weight for some timeand believes Lighten Up is a practical solution. There are no fads, just acommon sense approach to weight managementwhich fits with BUPA's holisticattitude to all-round health," said Alison Platt, deputy managingdirector, BUPA Membership.

 

For further information on the Lighten Up programme or tobook a place, log on to www.lightenup.co.ukor call 08456 033456. Lines are open between Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm.

 

The special, Lighten Up Men Only eight-week eveningcourses commence in Central London on 15th January 2002 at Regent's College,Regent's Park, NW1 between 7pm - 9pm with Judith Verity. Further courses willbe available nation-wide from February 2002