Cooking Classes

You and your family are encouraged to participate in our hands-on cooking classes, conducted by our registered dietitians and/or guest chefs. These classes are designed to:

• Provide you with the information you need to learn how to prepare delicious meals for the entire family while acheiving your weight loss goals.
• Experiment in our kitchen, which is conveniently located in our offices and protected by people who understand physician guidelines.
• Learn to cook one meal, rather than two. We understand that families can fall into the trap of cooking two different meals -- one for the bariatric patient and one for the rest of the family. We'll help you see how the same menu can be prepared, and quantities can be adjusted, to meet everyone's needs. And most importantly, they can taste great.
• Experiment with using different spices and cooking in new and healthy ways that will benefit your family as much as you.

If you would like more information about cooking classes, including dates and times, please call 317-275-7010.

Fitness Programs

Our clinic offers an on-site exercise room for private, personalized instruction from a certified personal trainer on activities to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle before and after surgery. In the privacy of our own fitness room, we assure you that you can relax and enjoy yourself. You will also be able to experience the fun of movement, music and laughter.

These classes will help you:

• Learn to enjoy simple movements designed to get you started in a safe and effective program that will help you lose weight, look and feel better and most importantly, help you feel good about yourself.
• Fellowship is crucial in weight loss activities. We know the fellowship you gain from other bariatric patients aids in your ability to have fun and achieve weight loss in a safe and effective way.
• Gain information about:
  • Purchasing your own home equipment.
  • Target heart rates.
  • Muscle groups.
  • Shoe types and how you can best use simple techniques of walking to benefit your weight loss journey.

In addition to individually tailored education sessions, patients have the opportunity to attend the following group activities:

"Walk the Talk" Walking Group - Join us weekly for a walking program and support group that will help you burn calories, make friends and keep you on track with your goals.  We meet every Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Clarian Bariatrics outpatient clinic.  At these group we will walk, talk and get fit together!  Feel free to bring a sack lunch and chat with us during a support group meeting after the walk.  Make sure you bring a water bottle and wear your good tennis shoes!  In addition to our weekly walks, we participate as a team in charity walks related to disease prevention and research.  There is a small cost for to sign-up for the walks, but the experience is priceless. If you cannot make it to Clarian Bariatrics every week to walk with us, feel free to keep up with a walking program and join us for the charity walks as often as you can!

Total Body Fitness Class - These classes are held before support group each Tuesday evening starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Clarian Bariatrics outpatient clinic.  These unique exercise classes are designed to get you moving, feel better and build up your strength and stamina.  Exercises will be done seated and standing and will target all major muscle groups.  These classes are suitable for people of all fitness levels and abilities.  Modifications and alternate exercises can be given for all abilities.  When available, handouts are provided with pictures and information about the exercises performed during each class so you can continue practicing at home.  Equipment is provided, but may be limited due to class attendance.  Please bring water and a towel and wear something comfortable that you can move in. 

If you have a question about one of our fitness programs, please call 317-275-7010. Make sure to also check the Clarian Bariatrics blog frequently for even more fitness tips on how you can stay active and healthy both pre and post-operatively.

Support Groups

Clarian Bariatrics is pleased to offer free support groups at various locations throughout central Indiana. Attend support group meetings to learn about ways you can build lasting motivation and overcome the biggest challenges to your exercise and nutrition success.  Learn strategies, ask questions and the receive support you need during your journey.  Participate in activities that help you discover new ways to stay motivated, cope with physical changes and incorporate lifestyle changes into your everyday life. Pick up a calendar or check the events section to see the different topics covered at each class. 

Support groups are held at the following locations:

• The Clarian Bariatrics clinic located at 6625 Network Way, Suite 100, in the INTECH Park office complex, Indianapolis. Support groups are held on the first Tuesday (large group) and third Tuesday (small groups) from 6 - 7 p.m. and each Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ("Walk the Talk" lunch group)
• Clarian Health Cicero located at 1160 South Peru St., SR 19 in Cicero. Support group is held on the second Thursday of the month from 6 - 7 p.m.
• Ball Memorial Hospital located at 2901 W. Jackson Street in Muncie. Support group is held on the first Wednesday of the month from 6 - 7 p.m.
• Pre-Surgery Coping Skills Group held each Tuesday at the Clarian Bariatrics clinic from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. This group is designed to explore changing family and friend relationships and social situations, including how to survive eating in social situations, how to respond to people who "push" food on you, and how to cope with people's reactions to your new weight loss and lifestyle. This group is free, but we ask that you please call 317-275-7010 or 877-275-2555 prior to attending.

Please visit A Call to Change Web site, the events calendar  or our blog for the most updated support group schedule and topics. Teleconferencing is also available to Clarian affiliate hospitals throughout the state.