How many will be in the class with me?

 Typically, 20 – 25 adults enroll in each class.

What is the format of the class?

The class meets weekly for 14 weeks following the orientation session (skipping holidays). These classes are lecture / discussion with some in-class, small group activities and take-home assignments (e.g., food diaries, walking/step logs). We do not exercise during these weekly class meetings. We do use the FULL time each week.

Is this program only for Vanderbilt employees?

This program is open to the general public as well as Vanderbilt employees.

Do Dayani Center members receive a discount?

Yes, Dayani members receive a $370 discount off of the full price of $695 provided they maintain their membership throughout the course of the 14-week workshop. * The only exception to this would be if you are currently both a full-time Vanderbilt employee and a current Dayani member. In this instance, you receive the employee price of $495 and your membership will be on hold during the workshop.

Do I have to attend the orientation session for this class in order to enroll in the workshop?

Yes, it is important for you to attend the orientation so you can determine if this is the right program for you.

Should I discuss this program with my physician or nurse practitioner?

Yes. In fact, all participants are required to get the approval of their M.D. or nurse practitioner to participate in the workshop. We will distribute these Medical Approval forms at the orientation session.

Will I see a physician as part of my participation in this workshop?

No. Although the Dayani Center is a medically-based fitness center, this workshop is not medically supervised.

Do participants receive full-time assistance during exercise?

We offer the 1-hour personal training session to help participants get started with a safe and appropriate exercise program. Exercise specialists are available to demonstrate equipment and safe exercise techniques as well as to tailor and update your exercise routine throughout the program. However, participants in this program must be able to exercise independently in manner that does not compromise their safety (e.g., participants must not require staff assistance getting from one piece of equipment to another or assistance getting into or out of our pool). Other options may be available for individuals with limited mobility or other health limitations.

I’m considering surgical options to help me lose weight. Is your program the right one for me?

An individual considering weight loss surgery is certainly welcome to attend our free orientation session. However, we would also encourage you to discuss your options with your physician or nurse practitioner.
The Vanderbilt Center for Surgical Weight Loss offers FREE seminars on the topic of surgical approaches to weight loss. For more information about these seminars, contact Jennifer Ginnings or Debbie Tate at (615) 343-8988.

Will my health insurance program pay for this program?

We do not bill insurance for this program. Some insurance companies are beginning to cover some aspects of weight management – please check with your insurance carrier for details.

I only have a few pounds to lose, but I’m very interested learning to improve my diet and learning how to stick with exercise. Can I still enroll in this program?

Yes.

Will I lose weight rapidly in this program?

We will share our results data at the orientation and discuss this issue in detail. Briefly, this program is not aimed at rapid weight loss. Instead, we want our participants to gradually make changes aimed at gradual weight loss. By “gradual”, we mean .5 – 2 lbs. weight loss per week. We want participants to adopt changes to their lives that can be maintained over the long-term, rather than repeatedly going on and off “diets” for the rest of their life.

Thank You For Your Interest In Our Program!