L.E.A.R.N. stands for lifestyle, exercise, attitude, relationships and nutrition.  Developed by Kelly Brownell, PhD, 22 years ago, LEARN is the most thoroughly-tested lifestyle change program available for weight management. Topics discussed in the class include reading and understanding food labels, smart food shopping, dining out strategies, behavior modification to recognize and change unhealthy eating patterns, nutrition education and eating a balanced diet.

Key topics of the LEARN program are:

• Coping with lapse and preventing relapse
• Creative ways to stay motivated
• Dealing with pressures to eat
• Family and relationships
• Guidelines for setting reasonable weight loss goals
• Helpful tips for eating away from home
• How attitude can affect weight loss
• How to use the Food Guide Pyramid
• Information about body image and weight maintenance
• Multiple weight change records to track progress
• New information on exercise and physical activity
• Quality of Life Self-Assessments

The 12-week course consists learning critical information and using that information to develop skills that are necessary to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

During the program, we separate fact from fiction, learn how to set appropriate goals, journal our eating habits and learn to become mindful eaters. The focus is on long-term change and not on short-term fixes. While the program teaches key weight loss principles, it is also individualized for specific strategies and techniques that work with participants’ daily living. There are no pre-packaged foods, pills or gimmicks.