Chrysalis, our adult weight management programme offers you a real opportunity to change your lifestyle, have a better diet and become more active and thereby lead a healthier, happier and in many cases, a longer life.
We can offer a multitude of related Chrysalis programmes to help you to take control of your weight and to then continue to either maintain or lose weight.
In our experience, those patients that show commitment and are prepared to make some small and gradual changes, they will go on to succeed to meet their target weight loss over 12 weeks. Not everyone will succeed, but we have now engaged with over 650 patients in North Nottinghamshire, with hundreds of people losing their target weight, but also managing in many cases to maintain that loss. The benefits are not just losing weight and fitting into those clothes a size or two less, people feel better about themselves, are more active and will as a result reduce their risk of developing serious medical conditions. Our results and patient feedback make compelling reading.
The Importance Of Weight Management
But it all starts with the main Chrysalis programme, and the importance of weight management. Keeping weight under control is constantly being highlighted as it has such a major factor on so many aspects of health. Obese people stand to reduce their life expectancy on average by as much as 9 years, and are at greater risk of developing potentially serious and life threatening conditions such diabetes, coronary heart disease, strokes and some cancers to name but a few. We can help you to take control and reduce your risk of developing these life-threatening diseases. Now eligible patients registered with the 4 Retford and Misterton/Gringley practices can take advantage of the programme free of charge. Other people may attend, but a fee may apply.
Other Chrysalis activities may be available to everyone. Contact us if you are interested in knowing more.
What’s Involved
If you are advised to join the programme by your GP or practice Nurse, or have heard about the programme from a friend, relative, work colleague or neighbour, we first of all have to arrange a pre-assessment with one of our highly trained and experienced Health Promotion Advisors. This is to confirm eligibility, which is basically if you are over 16 and have a BMI of 30 or over (exceptions may apply). Click on the chart below to see if you are eligible.
At this appointment we take some measurements, arrange blood tests (if appropriate) and discuss the programme with you and what is involved, available session times and answer any questions or concerns that you might have. It all takes about 20 minutes on average.
Assuming that you are eligible, we will then arrange for you to commence the 12 x 1 hour session programme at the time most convenient for you. Sessions normally take place at a regular time each week, at The Retford Primary Care Centre, Riverside Surgery or Gringley Surgery, although we are constantly reviewing this. Sessions usually take place at a range of times from Monday – Thursday, mornings, afternoons and evenings, please call / email for details. Sessions are usually in small groups of approximately 12 people. We do not have sessions on bank holidays or over Christmas & Easter.
The Programme
Sessions are informative, interactive and fun (we hope!), and a number of people have developed friendships from the programmes attended. They are run by one of our highly trained Course Leaders, who are Health Promotion Advisors and Practice Nurses. Each session has a structure, with discussion, advice, interactive activities, helpful hints & tips to help you towards meeting your target weight loss for the 12 weeks. Weights are checked weekly and there is an opportunity to ask questions and to get individual advice from one of our course leaders each week. There will be opportunities for follow up and access to arrange of supporting Chrysalis activities designed to help you in your quest to lose weight.
AND everyone gets a free step counter !
| Session Number | Session Subject |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | Getting Started, Target setting |
| Session 2 | The Balanced Diet |
| Session 3 | Food Labels |
| Session 4 | Physical Activity |
| Session 5 | Cooking on a Budget, Healthy Recipes |
| Session 6 | Exploring Why We Eat What We Eat |
| Session 7 | Fats & Cholesterol |
| Session 8 | Eating Out |
| Session 9 | Alcohol |
| Session 10 | Salt |
| Session 11 | Seated Exercise & Quiz |
| Session 12 | Final Review & What Happens Next |
Other Chrysalis Programme Opportunities
Chrysalis Calorie Calculator
An online calorie calculator, developed in association with iexerci.se, will allow you to assess calories consumed from foodstuffs and drinks compared to activity levels and calories burned off to see if you should be starting to lose weight.
Chrysalis Activities
We run 2 sessions a week which are aimed at people who are either on Chrysalis programmes or who have completed them, and who want to try some exercise but are not confident to attend a gym or leisure facility on their own. The exercises are simple such as stretches, movements, weights and in some cases some simple dance moves. The lessons take place with one of our highly trained Chrysalis advisors on Tuesday evenings from 6.30-7.30 pm and Thursday mornings from 10.30am – 11.30 am at Retford Leisure Centre. Session costs are £3.00 per person.
Chrysalis Walks
This is an introductory walking group for Chrysalis Patients, a simple 1 hour walk at your pace on a Monday Afternoon from 2.00pm – 3.00pm in the Retford Area. This is free of any charge.
Chrysalis Follow Ups
Everyone who has attended the Chrysalis programme can arrange to come back and see one of the Health Promotion Advisors, get weighed and ask any questions that they might have. This is free of charge. Contact us for details of times.
Chrysalis Plus
This is a programme of additional activities that we are planning to do once a month, ranging from coping with stress to specific healthy cooking demonstrations. Session fees for these will be £4.00 per person.
Chrysalis Online
We are developing a Chrysalis programme that can be accessed on line. This will include opportunities for interactive sessions, exercises for you to complete, videos, and helpful and supporting information about your weight loss.
Outcomes So Far From Chrysalis Programmes
Chrysalis is a well established and proven programme for effective interventions for tackling Obesity in adults in the region of Bassetlaw. Over 1,000 patients have now benefited from this professionally delivered lifestyle programme, with over 1400 Kgs of lost weight, the equivalent to 5600 packs of butter! This programme is not only delivering an average weight loss of 4.2 kgs per person completing the course, but is demonstrating that the weight loss is sustained over a 12 month period, and people being more active and feeling better about themselves, and proud to have been associated with the programme. Chrysalis demonstrates that Public Health, Primary Care and Local Authority Teams are working towards meeting the aims and objectives of the Joint Needs Assessment Partnership of local PCT’s and District Councils in tackling Adult Obesity.
What Our Patients Think So Far…
“More in depth and realistic advice compared to other weight management programmes”
“Interesting & helpful – I have a better understanding of weight loss now”
“Chrysalis is more use, friendly and easier to follow than other programmes, I didn’t feel embarassed”
“Friendly Group with plenty of interaction”
“I am no longer ashamed to look at myself in the mirror”
“Staff were very supportive – thank you”
“Very enjoyable – I have learned so much”
“Brilliant Informative”
“Information put across very professionally, I am grateful for the opportunity to make a real difference to my lifestyle
“I have not lost as much weight as I would have liked but have reduced clothes size so I feel better for that”
“I cannot praise the course enough – you should have done this years ago”
“Course is excellent and I would like continued support to achieve my goals”
“I would recommend this to anyone that needs it – Brilliant”
Chrysalis is more long term, sustainable and educational than weight watchers or slimming world”
“I have really enjoyed the course and met a lot of lovely and supportive people”
Chrysalis for Teenagers….NO SORRY… INNERAKTIV !!!!
During the Autumn we are launching a pilot weight management programme for Teenagers aged between 12 and 16 years old. The programme, called “Inneraktiv”, will involve parents and carers, will be fun and centred around lifestyle changes and increasing activity. It is also aimed at helping the family to help children of this age group to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
FAQs
I want to attend programmes in the evenings, due to work, is this possible?
Yes we have a variety of programmes on most evenings from 6.30-7.30 pm ask us for details.
I work shift so its difficult to attend then same programme time each week, can I still attend and do all of the sessions?
Yes, because we have a variety of programmes on during the week it is possible for people to catch up sessions with different groups. Alternatively we can arrange to cover information with you at a time convenient. Please ask us for details.
I am over 70 , can I still attend?
Yes we have no age limit for attendance, so long as you are over 16 we will accomodate all ages on this programme.
I am not very active, and worried about doing too much too quickly?
Our Health Promotion advisors are highly trained and can help you to start being a little more active, even if it is just to start walking more.
I have been on lots of diets before and none of them work, how will this be different?
The Chrysalis Programme is not a diet, it is about helping you understand how to alter your lifestyle a little bit each week and to understand what factors in your life are affecting your weight and how to take control.
I want to attend programmes in the evenings, but I am a patient at Misterton Surgery, can I attend?
Ans Yes although we do not do evening sessions at Misterton/Gringley, you can attend sessions at Retford.
I want to attend Chrysalis, and understand that you have to have a BMI over 28, how do I check this?
That is correct, you can check your BMI against one of the BMI charts on the web site click here for details or ask us to help you to calculate it.
I want to attend Chrysalis, as a friend of mine has said how good it is, but I am a patient at registered at Tuxford Surgery, is it possible for me to attend?
Yes it is but we would recommend that you ask your surgery what Adult Weight Management programmes they offer. Patients from other surgeries can attend, but we have to charge a fee for attendance.
Enquiries
Please call on 01777 863542 or email us on info@retfordhealth.co.uk