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THINK LIGHT! - How The Program Works

Type of Counseling:  one-to-one coaching, online, telephone, mail, self-directed and group programs

Typical Cost:  under $250

Type Program:  employer-sponsored program, available only at participating company worksites

Type of Foods Used:  regular grocery store food

At-Home or Direct Mail Plan Available?  Yes

Company Headquarters:

SOF Publishing

10 Town Plaza  #217

Durango, CO 81301       (800-869-6393)

www.thinklight.com

www.sofcorp.com

Summary

SOF Publishing is an international health promotion publishing company based in Durango, Colorado. The company specializes in the design, development and marketing of health promotion and disease prevention publications, products and services.

The company was founded in 1985 by exercise physiologists and health educators Greg Phillips, M.S and Jan Phillips, M.Ed.  SOF has grown to include specialists in the areas of: health and fitness education, weight management, exercise science and behavioral psychology. The creative team includes writers and designers experienced in print, web design, audio and video production. To date, SOF's products and services have been utilized by more than 5,000 medical facilities, managed care programs, corporations and health and fitness clubs.

This is a scientifically developed and proven system used by millions since 1988. there are no gimmicks, no diet pills, and no fad or restrictive diet plans involved--just regular food satisfying meals, snacks and desserts the whole family can use.

THINK LIGHT! is a well-known, proven system for lifestyle change based on standards set by the American Heart Association, National Cancer Institute and American Dietetic Association. It was developed by a team of registered dietitians, exercise physiologists and behavioral psychology specialists.

Unlike weight management programs asking participants to follow strict eating plans, THINK LIGHT! provides easy-to-use, practical tools teaching participants healthy eating habits through "experimental learning." THINK LIGHT! programming options include health awareness campaigns, group classes and self-directed programs.

Participants in the THINK LIGHT! program each receive their own THINK LIGHT! CD-ROM (retail price: $19.95) or THINK LIGHT! Printed Version (retail price: $24.95) featuring an 8-week "flexible" eating plan with daily menu ideas, recipes and weekly grocery lists--all printable either by day or by week.

The eating plan offers a frequent, small meal pattern with 3 calorie levels to chose from: 1500, 1800 or 2,200 calories/day. All three  levels are low in total fat (<30% total calories) and saturated fat (8%) and moderate in carbohydrates (<53%). The eating plan also provides moderate levels of protein (22%) and is high in fiber (>25 grams).

Included with each THINK LIGHT! CD-ROM is a free registration for the 8-week THINK LIGHT! Support & Education Program. The program includes twice weekly emails and access to an online, moderated Community Support Area where participants can get help and support from THINK LIGHT! coaches as well as other participants worldwide. 

Four different programs are available: The Right Foot, Grand Slam, Beach Blanket Bingo and Join the Celebration. Program length is typically four weeks, although the summertime Beach Blanket Bingo can last longer.

Participants receive motivating healthy eating and activity tools such as:

• Lowfat Living Sampler with menu plans, a Fat ruler, recipes and more

• "THINK LIGHT! Hits the Road" book and audiocassette which encourages healthy eating and exercise when away from home

• "Recipe Favorites" cookbook

The cost is a very affordable $20-25 per participant.

THINK LIGHT! may be delivered as an on-site group weight management program. A "typical" program includes six to twelve group educational/support sessions. Each participant then receives the following:

The THINK LIGHT! Low-fat Living Plan, which contains:

• A handy file card box

• 12 weeks of menus

• Over 40 quick, light recipes

• Time-saving grocery lists

• THINK LIGHT!- Breaking Free From the Diet Prison book

• Redefining Success audio program

• A Fat Ruler for reading labels

• A refrigerator magnet

• An easy-to-understand Getting Started booklet

• Weekly educational handouts

• Companion Guide

THINK LIGHT! can now be delivered to employees through a combination of mail, email and telephone.

Sample Self-directed Program:

The self-directed program with email support begins by mailing participants the THINK LIGHT! Lowfat Living Plan and Companion Guide. Participants then receive twice weekly email communications over the next three months. These emails contain motivational and goal-setting messages as well as educational handouts via attachment. Participants may respond to the emails with questions and they will receive a reply. This program can be delivered to employees without email access as well as through the US Mail.

Price: $79 per participant

BestDietForMe.com analysts feel that employer-sponsored weight loss programs seem to provide a very good variety of professional and proven programs, at less than $100. Counseling comes in a variety of formats as well, via email, by phone, in-group settings, one-to-one, and of the self-help type. The major drawback is that these programs are generally not available to the general public, although the THINK LIGHT! Plan IS available in other settings, such as health clubs. If this program interests you and it’s not currently offered by your employer, we encourage you to get a group of employees together and petition your employer to offer one.

One employee benefits survey reports that nearly one-third of U.S. businesses it polled help pay for gym memberships -- up 35% in just four years.

The most common corporate weight loss programs include educational materials, on-site fitness centers and Weight Watchers meetings, reimbursement for gym memberships, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, and nutrition counseling.

Some businesses started paying for diet pills several years ago and in the past two years, some have begun paying for surgeries such as a gastric bypass, costing up to $40,000, for those who are dangerously obese.

The Society for Human Resource Management’s annual survey of several hundred employee benefit managers found that 22% provide on-site fitness centers, up from 20% in 1999; 24% offer a weight loss program, up from 23%; and 11% provide nutrition counseling, up from 8% Forty-eight percent of insurance companies in America now provide weight loss programs. Still, plenty of businesses are doing no more than handing out leaflets.

One example of a worksite program is one offered at USAA’s Property and Casualty Insurance Group, in Tampa, Florida. The center has fitness instructors and college interns who design exercise programs. Employees may participate in an array of exercise classes, including step aerobics and circuit training, throughout the day. It also offers classes called "Healthy Bites," which focus on eating healthy, teaching employees about things such as portion control and the number of calories in fast food.

At Parker Hannifin Corp., one-third of its 26,000 employees participate in "Healthtrac". They get quarterly phone calls from a health educator about weight control or other health problems.

Insurance company Cigna Corp. and IBM use the "Think Light!" program that pushes a low-fat, high-fiber diet through counseling, telephone support, discussion groups and educational materials.

Third-party billing company Alliance Data Systems has a fitness center and uses a syndicated program called "LEARN" (Lifestyles, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships and Nutrition). It includes a food diary and 16 weekly lessons on setting realistic weight-loss goals, staying motivated and preventing or coping with relapses.

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