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YWM2015 Our Journey – Restore. Refresh. Renew.

Spring 2015

Why does your weight matter to you? Is it because of your health? Do you want to stay healthy for your family? Are you already experiencing the effects of excess weight, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea? Weight matters to people for many different reasons, but the most important one is – FOR YOUR HEALTH! As a member of the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), you know first-hand how difficult the journey of weight-loss and weight maintenance can be. You’ve faced the struggles, the misinformation, the gimmicks, the empty promises, the ups and downs. We know that on your journey, you need access to the latest evidence-based information on weight, health, nutrition, exercise, treatment, stress management and more. You can find ALL of this and much more at the OAC’s 4th Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention, Our Journey – Restore. Refresh. Renew.

YWM2015 is set for August 13-16 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter. The OAC promises to once again deliver an unbelievable event designed for everyday individuals concerned with weight and health who want access to the latest evidence-based strategies to help them in their journey.

What Can You Expect at YWM2015?

Unprecedented Education Presented by the Country’s Leading Experts

Offering information on more than 45 topics, the Your Weight Matters Convention will help you understand a wide variety of topics that directly relate to your weight and health. YWM2015 Convention speakers will offer you the latest evidence-based information on topics such as:

  • Get Off the Yo-Yo Diet Roller Coaster
  • Learning to Enjoy Your Journey through the Progress, Pit Stops, and Potholes
  • Team Approach to Professional Weight Management
  • Understanding the Brain’s Role in Weight and Your Behaviors

The Your Weight Matters National Convention is YOUR place to learn the tools necessary to manage your weight and improve your health. We know you want access to the leading experts in the field of obesity, and this is why we’ve secured some of the most sought-after speakers for the 2015 Convention. YWM2015 will offer attendees access to speakers such as:

  • Donna Ryan, MD
    Leading Obesity Medicine Specialist
  • Merrill Littleberry, LCSW, LCDC, CCM, CI-CPT
    Licensed Psychotherapist and Acclaimed Motivational Speaker
  • Robert Kushner, MD
    Renowned Obesity Physician
  • Randy Seeley, PhD
    Expert Obesity Researcher
  • Lloyd Stegemann, MD, FASMBS
    Prominent Bariatric Surgeon and Dedicated Advocate for Patients

Our speakers will help you understand some of the most complex issues when it comes to weight. We know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with excess weight, and that’s why we want YOU to join us for this one-of-a-kind 3-day event. The Convention Program Agenda Subcommittee has spent countless hours developing topics that you care about most. For the Full YWM2015 Convention Program Agenda, please turn to page 32.

YWM2015 Exercise Program

The OAC knows you want to stay engaged in your exercise routine when you’re away from home. To help you do so, we’ve designed a comprehensive exercise program consisting of:

  • “Morning Walks or Runs
  • Afternoon Walks or Runs
  • Group Exercise Classes
  • And Much More!

The Convention exercise program typically consists of classes focusing on different and exciting exercises such as Yoga, T’ai Chi, and more! Exercise classes are open to all registered Convention attendees. To view the latest exercise program agenda for YWM2015, please visit www.YWMConvention.com and click on “Program Agenda.”

YWM Healthy Living EXPO

Launched just last year, the YWM Healthy Living EXPO will feature a diverse array of vendors offering proven devices, products and services in the health and wellness industry. All registered Convention attendees receive access to the YWM Healthy Living EXPO as part of their event registration. The EXPO will feature:

  • Vendor Booths displaying products and services that can best help you along your journey toward improved health
  • FREE Samples/Giveaways from vendors
  • Opportunity to interact and connect with like-minded individuals who are along the same path toward improved health
  • And Much More!
Convention Special Events

Lunch with the Experts (Friday and Saturday)

Since the Inaugural Convention in 2012, the Lunch with the Experts session has remained one of the most popular Convention components. Lunch with the Experts, a ticketed event, offers you the chance to sit with experts and enjoy a nutritious lunch while you discuss a certain topic in a small group setting. Lunch with the Experts takes place on Friday and Saturday, and each day 16 different table topics are available, with eight seats for attendees at each table. Because of the popularity of this event, seating is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis, so we highly recommend you register early to get your preferred topic selection. To view all of the topics presented at the Lunch with the Experts session, please see the full Program Agenda found on page 32.

Thursday Training Sessions

One of the OAC’s core organizational components is advocacy. This year the OAC will offer two advocacy training sessions on the Thursday of Convention that give you the opportunity to experience the many ways you can be an advocate and also influence the legislative process. Both sessions are FREE to registered Convention attendees.

National Advocacy Training

The OAC hosts a National Advocacy Training Session each year to train our next set of advocates with a desire to influence the legislative process on Capitol Hill. During this training session, you will learn from the OAC’s Policy Consultant and other OAC leaders about how to be an effective advocate for change. And before it’s over, you will have the opportunity to put your newly-learned advocacy skills to use during mock legislative visits and experience advocating for obesity awareness, access to obesity treatments and much more!

This session is available to all registered OAC Convention attendees and pre-registration is required. Space is limited to the first 40 attendees who sign-up in advance. Attendees can sign-up for this session when registering for the Convention.

You are the OAC: Discover the Power of Your Voice

“You are the OAC: Discover the Power of Your Voice” is an interactive, hands-on session to help guide you on getting involved in the cause through the OAC. This session is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about the OAC, has a desire to raise their voice, and wants to become engaged in the OAC’s efforts. If you have asked yourself, “How Can I Get Involved?,” then this session is for YOU!

In this session, you will explore each of the pillars of the OAC’s mission, learn what the OAC does each and every day to help those affected, and how you can join in our efforts to make a difference! One of the key elements to all components in this session is the power of raising your voice through sharing your story. This session will teach you how to effectively share yourself with others and give you the tools needed to immediately begin making a difference in the cause.

This session is available to all registered OAC Convention attendees and pre-registration is required. Space is limited to the first 75 attendees who sign-up in advance. Attendees can sign-up for this session when registering for the Convention.

Social Evening Events

The Convention social events are a great time to get to know each other and enjoy your time at Convention. YWM2015 will feature two exciting evening events:

OAC Annual Awards DinnerAlways a time to have some fun, the Friday Night Welcoming Ceremonies is a fun-filled event with music, dancing, and even a costume contest! The theme for this year’s Friday Night Welcoming Ceremonies Dinner is “OAC’s Wild, Wild, West!” Come join your fellow western-themed attendees for a buffet dinner, dancing and maybe a few surprises along the way! There will be a prize for best costume, so we hope you have something fun and exciting planned! Please note that while participation in the costume contest is encouraged, it is not required.

On Saturday evening, the OAC will host its 4th Annual Awards Dinner where we will honor our dedicated members, advocates and volunteers who exemplify excellence in championing the cause of obesity. This will be a more formal night to come together and celebrate the successes of those that have made a significant impact in the lives of individuals affected by obesity. After the plated sit-down dinner and the awards presentation, we will hit the dance floor once again to conclude the OAC Convention events and get ready for the OAC’s Advocacy March to Washington, DC, the next morning.

OAC’s Advocacy March to Washington, DC –
Sunday, August 16

During the 2015 Your Weight Matters National Convention, we are giving all registered Convention attendees the chance to help us March to Washington, DC – virtually and symbolically. This event consists of both a Virtual March using a pedometer and culminates with the Walk Event on Sunday morning.

The Sunday Walk invites all registered Convention attendees to take part. This interactive event will take place throughout the Marriott Rivercenter and will include a variety of stations that showcase the power of advocacy in its many forms. Whether it’s signing a simple petition, taking a stand against weight bias, or sharing yourself with others, this inspiring event is designed to be the ultimate send-off to a weekend of education, community and fun!

This event is included with Convention Registration and we encourage all who plan to attend to RSVP when registering for the Convention.

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