Healthy Weight through Awareness Practices: Using Weight Loss Goals as a Guide to Health, Vitality, and Intuitive Eating
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Authors
Hilas, Despina
Issue Date
2013
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This paper explores the subject of holistic solutions for weight loss. It presents the Healthy Weight Through Awareness Practices (HWTAP) model, which nutrition consultants and wellness coaches can use for developing personalized weight loss and wellness programs for their clients. The HWTAP model promotes dietary and lifestyle changes that enhance health, result in healthy weight loss, and increase awareness of habitual choices. The model emphasizes awareness-building principles that increase meaning, spirituality, and intuitive eating; the resolution of underlying imbalances that contribute to weight gain; and a focus on the special considerations of vegan and vegetarian diets. This paper includes a review of traditional diet programs and the factors they often lack, and compares them to holistic health promotion programs. This paper also summarizes several physiological factors that contribute to weight gain, explores the role of weight loss as a means of improving health, and discusses the importance of awareness-building and intuitive eating practices, recognizing roadblocks to change, and the role of wellness coaches. Following is a description of the four-phase HWTAP model. The phases are analysis, program development, education, and implementation and wellness coaching. The HWTAP model helps nutrition consultants and wellness coaches offer extensive guidance, allowing clients to focus on the experience of deepening awareness and uncovering a healthier self