Fat Camps in Florida: How Wellspring Florida is Different
As a parent looking for the best solution for your child's weight issue, you have undoubtedly heard the term ‘fat camp' frequently. There are several key differences between Wellspring Florida and traditional fat camps. It's important to us that you understand these differences so that you are prepared to make the best decision for your child.
Fat Camps DO NOT Teach Simple and Sustainable Weight Loss
At traditional fat camps, campers take part in daily activities and eat the limited food available to them. Although they are participating in camp (and likely losing weight), they do not necessarily understand the principles behind what they're doing, making it very difficult for campers to continue with their weight loss program at home. When campers are given information about the basis of the fat camp program, it's often complex and not easy to follow independently at home.
At Wellspring Florida, campers follow a weight loss program that is simple to understand and sustainable for a lifetime. From the very first day of camp, campers are taught the principles of the Wellspring Plan, and held accountable for their own participation in the program. Campers learn to wear pedometers, set their daily step goals, record food intake, look up and record fat grams and calories, and record daily activities. And all of the tools necessary for campers to follow through with this are provided to them-pedometers, calorie guides, self-monitoring journals, and textbooks that explain every detail of the Wellspring Plan.
The result is a weight loss plan that kids, teens and young adults can easily follow and maintain on their own.
Fat Camps ARE NOT Committed to Long-Term Success
At traditional fat camps, once time at camp is up, campers are on their own. The problem with this is that campers are unlikely to completely change habits in a few weeks at camp. Weight loss is challenging and the behavioral change required takes time and consistency. If any follow-up program is offered by a fat camp, there is often an extra expense for parents.
At Wellspring Florida, every camper takes part in our Continuing Care Program until June 1, 2012. Campers are able to interact with Behavior Coaches through our private online community, seeking support when they need it and getting help with any issues that arise after camp. Campers also continue the habits learned at camp-monitoring steps and food intake-through our Continuing Care Program. We understand that in the months following camp, it is essential that campers are encouraged to continue with the behaviors and habits that brought about their weight loss. We feel so strongly about this that not only is the Continuing Care Program free of charge, but we offer a $700 Continuing Care Award for all campers who successfully complete 3 months of the program.
Fat Camps DO NOT Involve Families
As a parent, you undoubtedly want to be involved in your child's weight loss. Often, however, parents aren't sure of the best way to help, or the topic of weight loss has become too tense for parents and children to communicate effectively. At a fat camp, your child will lose weight without you knowing much about the program he or she is following. When your child returns home, you will likely not be any further ahead in terms of being able to support your child and establish a healthy relationship dynamic surrounding diet and exercise.
At Wellspring, we involve parents as much as possible in their child's weight loss process. Through Family Workshops, not only do we teach parents how to best support their child's weight loss, we also help parents begin their own plan for a healthier lifestyle. Through this system, entire families lose weight and get healthy together, and campers have a much better chance of keeping the weight off long-term. And again, we believe so strongly in our Family Workshops that not only are they free, but we also offer a $300 Family Workshop Award for sending at least one family member.
At Wellspring Florida, we're passionate about helping kids lose weight and develop permanent healthy lifestyles. If you would like more information about what makes Wellspring different from traditional fat camps, please feel free to call us at 866.364.0808.
