Table 2.

Tapas Acupressure Technique^® (TAT^®) Weight-Loss Maintenance Curriculum

Session number	Synopsis of class content
1	The meeting begins with introductions, a review of overall goals, and the establishment of group rules. Participants review their weight-loss and weight-maintenance challenges as a group, and the TAT facilitator provides an overall introduction about TAT: what it is and how it might help them with their weight control. The TAT pose is taught to participants and the steps of the TAT are introduced. The participants then practice their first TAT as a group. The focus of this TAT is an abbreviated 4-step protocol on addressing any resistances to the use of TAT. Participants then spend the rest of the session learning about the 4- and 9-step TAT protocols that they will use at home. Participants are encouraged to drink water at the conclusion of each TAT session. They receive a TAT CD and a booklet focused on weight loss, and are instructed to practice TAT daily between sessions on an issue of their choice related to their weight-loss or maintenance challenges.
2	The TAT facilitator asks participants' feedback on the use of TAT since the first session, and addresses their questions and concerns. The facilitator also asks about continuing obstacles to weight-loss maintenance. Then TAT is practiced, as a group, related to issues participants bring up. The facilitator teaches participants alternate wording options for each step of the TAT protocol, and highlights the need for an emotional charge or feeling to be connected to the problem statement used by participants in step 1. The facilitator introduces the concept of limiting beliefs, which are beliefs people have learned or created to deal with experiences in their lives. Such self-stories may drive current behavior without our awarereness. An example is the internal limiting belief: “Food makes me feel better when I am upset.” The importance of daily TAT practice is emphasized, with a focus on overcoming roadblocks and limiting beliefs that affect weight-loss maintenance. Participants do a group TAT on everything that might limit them from doing TAT in the next 2 weeks. They are encouraged to practice TAT daily until the next meeting.
3	The facilitator discusses the importance of thoughts and emotions, as they impact health and behavior. The concept of “cellular memory” is introduced to highlight the interplay between previous experience, emotions, and physiology. The facilitator uses these concepts to show how focusing on the problem and then on its opposite, through TAT, can shift perspective and behavior. Participants break into 2-person teams and lead each other through a TAT focusing on a negative thought related to weight-maintenance issues.
4	The facilitator teaches the 9-step TAT protocol in more depth. The concepts of “triggers” to eating and self-sabotage statements are introduced and participants are led in a full 9-step TAT using the “TAT That” Weight Loss cards.
5	The facilitator introduces the concept of “creating the life you want.” A group TAT is done on this theme. The one-step method of TAT is taught. Together, the group lists all the things they could do TAT on, and then discuss the word “fat.” A group TAT is done on reactions to, and past experiences with, this word.
6	A discussion is led on the theme of clearing “past incidents and traumas.” A group TAT is done focusing on one past incident each person wants to clear up.
7	The facilitator solicits how people are using TAT and leads a one-step on everyone being able to do successful TATs on these issues. The issue of how to clear allergies with TAT is addressed. The group breaks into smaller groups and does TAT on issues of their choice. The group ends with doing a TAT on the subject of using TAT when they need it.
8	The group plans for continuing the use of TAT at home and the facilitator solicits and addresses any remaining roadblocks to the use of TAT. Then the group does a TAT on how they will be able to use this tool for continued weight-loss maintenance. Participants are reminded of the basics of TAT and the need to drink water after doing TAT. Group issues and concerns about being without the group after this evening are sought. The final activity is a group TAT on being okay with this group ending and being able to continue TAT on their own for their weight maintenance.