HUGS is pleased to introduce complementary types of training as an option for our facilitators. While our HUGS facilitator packages are self-training packages, we do have the option of participating in complementary training session-beyond those we already offer in our Online program. Some of our facilitators and potential facilitators and leaders have expressed a desire for On-Site training.

HUGS now links with conferences that do just that, offer the best fit for On-Site training for HUGS facilitators. As well as offering on-site training, these conferences can serve as opportunities to network with others of similar mindset and expand your knowledge and application of non-diet concepts. These sessions will help potential facilitators and current facilitators in training and updating in non-diet and "health at every size" concepts.

HUGS training workshop was delivered by Linda Omichinski, RD, founder of HUGS.
Place: Edmonton, Alberta at Eating Disorder Education Organization Conference (EDEO), University of Alberta Hospital.
Date: Friday Nov 2, 2007 10 AM - 5 PM preceded by viewing of film documentary Dieting: At War with our Bodies. Click here for details.

Former HUGS training sessions:

One of the strengths of HUGS is showing people how to get out of the diet mentality---all or nothing thinking/black and white thinking. A great training opportunity for you to learn more about range of non-diet concepts is the upcoming Conference at NEDIC in Toronto: Body Image and Self Esteem Shades of Grey May 4-5 2007 will help you on your own journey in helping others appreciate shades of grey. This conference is presented by NEDIC (National Eating Disorder Information Centre) and the Dove Self-Esteem Fund. What a great way to celebrate International No Diet Day 2007 (May 6)!

This is an energizing and thought-provoking conference on body image and self-esteem you won’t want to miss. Our conference theme is inspired by a poem that champions “real vision”, vision which comes from seeing complexity and nuance in a subject too often divided too neatly into black and white. We aim to change that at this conference.

Note plenary session is being done by Glenn Gaesser, PhD, who is also in the film documentary Dieting: At War with our Bodies.

PLENARY SESSION

Glenn Gaesser
Dieting: Is it Necessary to Lose Weight to be Healthy?
The idea that a given body weight is a meaningful indicator of health, fitness, or prospects for longevity is one of our most firmly-held beliefs, and one of our most dubious propositions. Being “fat” may not be so bad and “thin” may not be so good. Dieting may give rise to a number of adverse health problems. Furthermore most “weight-related” health problems can be improved independently of weight loss. Fit and healthy bodies can come in many shapes and sizes. This workshop will examine the science of body weight and health, and present an evidenced-based rationale for the Health-at-Every-Size paradigm.


Training for Health at Every Size by Jon Robison, PhD
I will be doing 2 series of three one-day seminars for PESI in the PA, NJ and Michigan areas in the coming months. The title is: Obesity and Compulsive Eating: Helping Without Harming - They will basically be training
sessions for Health at Every Size. Please come and take part if you are in the area. The first three will be in - King Of Prussia PA, Trenton NJ, and Cherry Hill NJ on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of April. The second three will be in
Traverse City, Grand Rapids and Lansing in June (6,7,8). For more information please feel free to call me at 517-347-6016. You can also access the brochure at www.pesi.com.

Past Training Session:
Our first HUGS training was in conjunction with the Eating Disorder Education Organization conference in Edmonton, Alberta October 20 and 21, 2006. Dr. Jon Robison delivered a 4 hour Health at Every Size workshop incorporating HUGS concepts into his presentation.  http://www.edeo.org/past_events/2006_beauty/2006_beauty.html