Posts: 20,856
12/30/10 8:20 A

Way to SPARK *JING*!!

Love to hear these stories...! :-)

Don

Pounds lost: 76.0

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Posts: 1,765
12/30/10 12:21 A

Funny I decided to read this today, but I actually had a patient tell me that liked coming to see me for sessions more regularly than absolutely necessary because "I will know I will have to answer for myself and I need that accountability." I look at this site like virtual accountability . . . and much more productive than building some fake farm on Facebook!

I would say at minimum 60% of my patients want to loose weight. I have written "sparkpeople" on an rx pad hundreds of times as just one of several tools they can use. From my own personal sparking, I have been exposed to articles, books (Beck Diet Solution), and workout programs (Kundalini, Beachbody) programs, that I have been able to use myself then recommend later. While I may not always spread the literal spark site, I defiantly spread the figurative spark of health prevention and motivation in my practice.

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Posts: 261
12/21/10 12:39 A

Every evening I have to do a group therapy session I love using the spark motivation articles to talk about or I will bring in a health article like getting enough sleep,stress effecting our weight. This site has so many wonderful resources.

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Posts: 20,856
12/1/10 1:53 P

In both my work as a case manager AND clinical social worker I pay close attention to my clients health and wellness and attempt to nudge, encourage and steer them toward making better choices.

I often recommend SparkPeople, even to folks of average weight, to counter the effects of depression, anxiety, to better manage stress and relationships. Healthy food choices and physical activity will benefit ANYONE struggling with such issues!

I extend our dialogues into other arenas of health and wellness such as improving sleep hygiene, improving breathing and relaxation techniques, exploring spirituality and our feeling of connectedness to the world around us.

One of the things I LOVE to give away to my case management clients is a free 6 month membership at our local YMCA! Wish *I* could get one...lol!

When speaking with my client's health care professionals I often speak of SparkPeople and pass along flyers about SparkPeople and leave them in waiting areas.

How about others? How are we all paying our SPARK forward?

Don

Pounds lost: 76.0

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SparkPoints: (10,923)
Fitness Minutes: (5,775)
Posts: 306
11/30/10 11:25 P

I am curious how your experience with Spark people has effected your practice of medicine. Are you doing more preventative healthcare and more healthy lifestyle teaching? Do you recommend the "Sparkpeople" website? Have you offered a formal weight loss program to your practice? Have you been speaking more to community groups about your own positive health choices and weight loss? Have you seen more like minded people coming to your practice because you are practicing what you preach?
I have certainly referred many people to the website and have made a note in their record to followup with them on subsequent visits. More people have come to my practice because of my participation in community wellness events. I am cuious about what others have experienced. Respond if you will, I think it can provide for some additional points of discussion as to how we motivate our patients to do the right things.