Effective Weight Loss

An Acceptance-Based Behavioral Approach, Workbook

Evan M. Forman and Meghan L. Butryn

Treatments That Work

One of the only publications offering a full, empirically supported weight control treatment package
Includes behavioral principles shown to produce significant weight loss across dozens of studies
Highlights a cutting-edge approach called acceptance-based behavior treatment (ABT)
Clinician Guide provides entire treatment package including nutritional and physical activity prescriptions, cognitive and behavioral strategies, examples of how to present information in group or individual format, and out-of-session assignments
Client Workbook contains summary information about session content, as well as many handouts and worksheets

Effective Weight Loss

An Acceptance-Based Behavioral Approach, Workbook

Evan M. Forman and Meghan L. Butryn

Description

The obesity epidemic is one of the most serious public health threats confronting the nation and the world. The majority of overweight individuals want to lose weight, but the overall success of self-administered diets and commercial weight loss programs is very poor. Scientific findings suggest that the problem boils down to adherence. The dietary and physical activity recommendations that weight loss programs promote are effective; however, people have difficulty initiating and maintaining changes.

Effective Weight Loss presents 25 detailed sessions of an empirically supported, cognitive-behavioral treatment package called Acceptance-Based Behavioral Treatment (ABT). The foundation of this approach is comprised of the nutritional, physical activity, and behavioral components of the most successful, gold-standard behavioral weight loss programs. These components are synthesized with acceptance, willingness, behavioral commitment, motivation, and relapse prevention strategies drawn from a range of therapies. ABT is based on the idea that specialized self-control skills are necessary for weight control, given our innate desire to consume delicious foods and to conserve energy by avoiding physical activity. These self-control skills revolve around a willingness to choose behaviors that may be perceived as uncomfortable, for the sake of a more valuable objective. The Clinician Guide is geared towards helping administer treatment, and the companion Workbook provides summaries of session content, exercises, worksheets, handouts, and assignments for patients and clients receiving the treatment. The books will appeal to psychologists, primary care physicians, nutritionists, dieticians, and other clinicians who counsel the overweight.

Effective Weight Loss

An Acceptance-Based Behavioral Approach, Workbook

Evan M. Forman and Meghan L. Butryn

Treatments That Work

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Information about Weight Loss and this Treatment Program

Chapter 1: Session 1: Welcome
Chapter 2: Session 2: Calorie Cutting Keys
Chapter 3: Session 3: Goal Setting, and Weighing and Measuring
Chapter 4: Session 4: Labels, Planning, and Calorie Accounting
Chapter 5: Session 5: Control What You Can, Accept What You Can't; the Home Food Environment
Chapter 6: Session 6: Physical Activity and Willingness (Part 1)
Chapter 7: Session 7: Willingness (Part 2) and Values
Chapter 8: Session 8: Forming Good Habits/Flexibility
Chapter 9: Session 9: Restaurant Eating/Handling Weekends and Special Occasions
Chapter 10: Session 10: Barriers to Living a Valued Life
Chapter 11: Session 11: Friends and Family
Chapter 12: Session 12: Introduction to Defusion and Urge Surfing
Chapter 13: Session 13: Strategies to Help Defuse and Increase Willingness
Chapter 14: Session 14: Review of Dietary Principles, Mindless Eating, and Portion Sizes
Chapter 15: Session 15: Mindful Decision-Making
Chapter 16: Session 16: Transitioning to Bi-Weekly Meetings
Chapter 17: Session 17: Maintaining Losses over the Long Term
Chapter 18: Session 18: Willingness and Reducing Barriers to Physical Activity
Chapter 19: Session 19: Committed Action
Chapter 20: Session 20: Emotional Eating
Chapter 21: Session 21: Lapse vs. Relapse/Reversing Small Weight Gains
Chapter 22: Session 22: Revisiting Commitment/Transition to Monthly/Bi-Monthly Meetings
Chapter 23: Session 23: Maintaining Motivation
Chapter 24: Session 24: Looking Ahead
Chapter 25: Session 25: Celebrating Accomplishments

Appendix A Keeping Track Form
Appendix B In-Session Weight Change Record
Appendix C Home Weight Change Record
Appendix D Weekly Review
Appendix E Worksheets

Effective Weight Loss

An Acceptance-Based Behavioral Approach, Workbook

Evan M. Forman and Meghan L. Butryn

Treatments That Work

Author Information

Evan Forman, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at Drexel University and Co-Director of the Laboratory for Innovations in Health-Related Behavior Change. He also serves as Director of Graduate Studies and Chair of the Society for Clinical Psychology's Committee on Science and Practice and is Past-President of the Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association. He has been the lead investigator of several National Institute of Health-sponsored trials, including two comparing the effectiveness and processes of traditional cognitive therapy to newer acceptance-based behavior therapies. He also has been funded to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of smartphone and computerized neurocognitive training interventions for weight control.

Meghan Butryn, PhD, is an Associate Research Professor of Psychology at Drexel University and Co-Director of the Laboratory for Innovations in Health-Related Behavior Change. Her research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is designed to understand how behavior therapy for obesity can be modified to improve its long-term effectiveness.

Effective Weight Loss

An Acceptance-Based Behavioral Approach, Workbook

Evan M. Forman and Meghan L. Butryn

Treatments That Work

Reviews and Awards

"The science of effective weight loss has long been bogged down, searching for a progressive way forward. Finally, a new evidence-based alternative has emerged that builds on and adds to what we know and that appears to produce better outcomes. Well written and practical, this book opens an arena for treatment providers to explore. Highly recommended." --Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Foundation Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, and Co-developer of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

"Effective Weight Loss: An Acceptance-based Behavioral Approach, Clinician Guide and Workbook are a superb blending of proven behavioral principles and practices for weight loss with cutting-edge Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles and practices. This is a welcomed addition to the field of weight loss management."-Robert A. Carels, PhD, MBA, Professor and Director of Clinical Training, Department of Psychology, East Carolina University

"Obesity is one of the world's most significant public health issues. There is a tremendous need for novel, evidence-based treatments that can help individuals lose weight and maintain those losses over time. As Forman and Butryn have successfully demonstrated, an acceptance-based, behavioral approach to weight loss is a viable alternative to traditional weight loss treatments. This well-written Workbook and Clinician Guide should be on the bookshelves of the entire range of multidisciplinary professionals who work with patients struggling with their weight. It is an outstanding addition to the Treatments ThatWork series."-David B. Sarwer, PhD, Associate Dean for Research and Director, Center for Obesity Research and Education, College of Public Health, Temple University