On line Support

This program is available to HUGS class graduates and participants in the HUGS at home program.

Living a nondiet lifestyle for better health and staying off the diet roller coaster is easier to do when you take advantage of all the support available to you! Who better to offer support but your peers, those of us who are there or have been there.

You may be a HUGS class graduate or perhaps you're looking for home based support because HUGS classes aren't available in your area. Maybe you are searching for ways to start your nondiet journey and to share your experiences as you go. Perhaps you're struggling in one area and need guidance there. Maybe you have a major success you'd like to share with others who understand that success is measured in ways other than the dreaded scale.

This e-group offers more than information and inspiration. You are challenged to explore your personal responses to the emotions and issues raised in the postings. Everyone in the group is at one stage or another in the HUGS program and everyone in the group has a different experience.

Testimonials from the Wired World

"I'm just starting and have oh so far to go. But I believe in this program and joined this group to hear from others and get support. I live in northern California and I don't know of any groups here. I'm 38 and work for a small company. I'm excited about the future now (and a bit frightened, but I think that's the old way of thinking). Just reading the past emails has cheered me up and motivated me, and I'm very much looking forward to hearing more from everyone."

"About the same time I heard about HUGS and decided that it was perfect. It focused on positive things and changes like better health, etc. and moved away from dieting, etc. which NEVER EVER works. I feel so positive about the changes I'm making. The biggest thing for me right now is the freedom to eat any food ~ I just size my portions differently. I haven't felt deprived in several weeks. I never believed it would be possible."

"I took the Hugs program in 1999. I'm just reading the new book "Staying Off The Diet Rollercoaster". I started my first diet when I was 6 years old and continued a weight gain all my life. I stopped dieting in 1990 after this total liquid diet I was on caused some health problems and a 100 pound gain in less then 1 year. I'm a large person and had to learn to like myself first, which is hard to do when you have society that hates fat people. When you realize that you can like yourself, it's a lot easier to deal with society. Living the non-diet way doesn't happen overnight. It takes time and it's worth it."

"I have recently completed the 10 week HUGS programme (in Britain) and thoroughly enjoyed it. What a relief to finally hear that I don't have to diet ever again!! I now have the necessary knowledge (the hard part is putting it all into practice!) to live a healthy, active life free from that heavy weight on my shoulders called dieting. I have also just joined Run/Walk for life and am now exercising 3 times a week, which I'm sure will make a difference too."

"Sometimes I forget I'm not on diet and I find myself actively adding up what I've eaten. I'm still learning to trust my body to tell me when it needs food and not to just eat because everyone else is. It's going to be hard sometimes I'm sure, but it's good to know that you are all out there going through the same things that I am. Good luck everyone and I look forward to hearing from some of you soon."

"Hello, Hugs friends. After ignoring Hugs for a while, I decided it was time to get back with the program. I had gone back to a diet program that has SOME of the Hugs principles. But I guess I'm ready to "Get off the Diet Roller Coaster!!" I sure could use some encouragement to get back in the swing of things."

Here is an exchange between two members. The first one illustrates how through her own post the member realized something of her own. The response below shows how another member came to the same realization:

"I have been kind of not doing anything lately, HUGS or otherwise. Just busy in my life. However, just lately, I am getting out and moving more. Just walking. And it feels GREAT. I was really sick with a cold and bronchitis in February, and was still recovering for most of March. I couldn't even walk to my corner store (4 blocks away) without just about coughing my guts out. So now that it is into May, I am taking some walks, and enjoying it. I am also eating something for breakfast. I try to do some protein plus carbs (a la HUGS), but sometimes its just toast. Anyway, I am eating in the AM. That is fairly new for me. Hey, maybe I am doing more than I thought!"

"I could identify with what you had to say after you wrote a while--that maybe you were doing MORE than you thought you were! When I go to a buffet restaurant, and not only don't get seconds--but don't even finish my plate--CAUSE I WAS FULL....I realize that I'm further along than I gave myself credit for!!!"