Everyday Systems

The school district I work in is having a one credit class opportunity in February. I was not paying attention to what it was, but then this caught my attention:

Massive Action Towards Health

This class is limited to 20 participants.

One NNU credit can be earned by completing this class. $60 for the credit.

TO BE HELD

Madison Junior High Room 206 134 Madison Ave, Rexburg, ID 83440

Jan 9, 16, 23 30, Feb 6th ---Wednesdays---4:00--7:00

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class is designed to help those who struggle making peace with food. It is a plan to get healthy and feel well. Students will commit to 4 “Bright Line†boundaries - no sugar, no flour, 3 meals each day & controlled portions for 5 weeks. Students who follow this plan will likely lose 1-3 pounds per week.

Using the book, Bright Line Eating by Susan Peirce Thompson which is rooted in cutting-edge neuroscience, psychology, and biology, we will discuss and practice topics surrounding the willpower gap, insatiable hunger, overpowering cravings, the susceptibility scale & the saboteur.

Each 3- hour class will include instruction and support, writing in our journals, submitting a google form, walking, and eating a delicious supper that we prepare together

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

· ¿ Students will make new habits with food.

· ¿ Students will commit to a sustainable food plan that will improve their health.

· ¿ Students will learn how our brains are interrupting their best intentions.

· ¿ Students will use strategies that will increase successful outcomes around food choices.

· ¿ Students will keep a food journal and plan out their food choices beforehand.

· ¿ Students will commit to setting four “Bright Line†- boundaries. (No sugar, No flour, 3 meals each day & controlled portions.

· ¿ Students will keep a food journal.

· ¿ Students will complete a google form each week.

¿ Students will be required to read the book, “Bright Line Eating†by Susan Peirce Thompson

I do not care who you are, that sounds really familiar.

Yes but no flour 😱

Except Thompson is making hundreds of thousands of dollars, maybe even millions, by now on her courses. I'm sure she is going to do some good, too.

She got her idea originally from OA. And she WAS obese, and she is a neuroscientist, so she found plenty of backing for the restrictions.

But I still think that is a terrible idea for junior high students.

I interpreted this as the location being a junior high, not that the students would be at that age. If not, I'm with you!

Oh, yeah, I wasn't letting all the info sink in. The person could get units for completing the course, and the hours aren't quite right for a middle schooler. Would each course participant HAVE to lose weight? (I smell a lot of guilt coming on for those who don't do as well.) Though I doubt very much anyone who cuts out flour and sugar, sticks to three meals, and limits portions would not lose something. No miracle there.

I just want to see them two years later.

I wonder if the school is charging a fee for the meeting place My school used to rent its gym to a fledgling church group until it got a big enough membership to get its own place. My district has a $68 million shortfall now. Maybe they should be looking for after-hour renters!

If you didn't know, OA has required three meals a day, no snacking, for the eating version of abstinence, for decades. When I went, there were no restrictions on flour and sugar but I did read at other times that there were. The meal restrictions were MODERATE meals, and no one defined those. I thought they were crazy restrictions. Joke's on me.

I forget what Susan Pierce Thompson's defense was when accused that she was taking OA's idea to make money. Her first courses were $1,000! People have to weigh and measure ALL their food, even in restaurants. I guess if I thought my life depended on it, and for some people, it does, I'd do it. I think she thought her life depended on it.

I read Bright Line Eating, and I don't think she was ripping off OA, or if she did, it was more like adding a biological explanation of both addiction and the chemistry of appetite.

I tried it and did well for a week or two, but I can't imagine living my whole life without sweets or flour. It's too depressing....

Thompson admits that she got the guidelines directly from OA, but she also goes way beyond in using the science for motivation.

It is a great name, if a little extreme. The clarity bit is certainly right on. I just quibble with where she draws that "bright line."