Table 1 Standardized Coach Messages Sent During 40 Week Minimally Supported Phase

Maintenance Week 4: How’s it going?

 Hi Guys,

 Just wanted to take some time to check in and see how everyone is doing. I really enjoyed working with you guys during our 12 weeks together, and I hope that you have had success continuing to apply the healthy living knowledge you gained during the program. In addition, hopefully you all have managed to maintain your weight loss after the program ended; remember to continue to weigh yourself often to keep track of where you’re at. How have you guys been tracking your daily activities? The HealtheSteps™ app or on paper? Recall our discussion on barriers - it is important to plan for setbacks and use SMART goals if you find yourself going off track. It seems like you guys have been enjoying our online group thus far, please continue to use the group to post any healthy living, hockey, or just plain funny content.

 Hope everyone is well,

 Keep your stick on the ice.

Maintenance Week 11: Still going well?

 Hi Guys,

 It’s now been some time since we finished the program, and hopefully everyone has been working hard to maintain their improvements. If you have not already done so, go back and check your average daily step count from at the end of the program. How does your current step count average compare? If the two averages are similar, what has helped you maintain your step count? Post some advice or tips that have helped you on the Dressing Room wall for the guys who haven’t been able to maintain their numbers. The HealtheSteps™ app is a great way of staying motivated and keeping track of your steps. Additionally, if you ever want to get in touch with the other guys to organize a ball hockey game, trip to see the Knights/Sting, or any other meet-up, feel free to use the messaging tool.

 Hope everyone is well,

 Keep your stick on the ice.

Maintenance Week 22: Still on target?

 Hey Guys,

 Hope everything is well. Has everyone been able to maintain their end-of-program weight? Remember to weigh yourself weekly to track how much you have lost since the beginning of the program. If you have been losing weight, that’s awesome. As you now know, reducing your weight also reduces your risk for a variety of diseases, including heart failure, diabetes, and cancer. If your eating habits have been going a little off track, remember to make your goals SMART to keep focused. Just as a reminder, we will be organizing a little 9-month reunion so you will be able to see all the other guys and talk about how the months after the program have been going. Until then, continue to use the HealtheSteps™ App and post on the group to share recipes, exercises, articles, or other hockey stuff.

 Hope everyone is well,

 Keep your stick on the ice.

Maintenance Week 28: Looking forward

 Hey Guys,

 It was great to see some of you at the reunion a few weeks ago. Even though we don’t have any more formal reunions planned for you guys before your final measurement session with us, we want to remind you to continue using the network to support one another and set up your own get-togethers. Speaking with some of you a few weeks ago, it sounds like you have organized a couple of exercise sessions on your own which is great to hear! If you haven’t met up with any of the guys but you would like to, don’t hesitate to post your ideas on your network and we are sure you will find some takers.

 Also, we would like to remind you once again to continue your daily or weekly weigh-ins to track your progress and if you find that you have reached a plateau or had a set-back, it may be time to go back to first principles and set some SMART goals again! Don’t get discouraged if you find yourself off-track, reach out to others on the network and I am sure that there will be loads of supportive words and ideas for you.

 Hope everyone is well,

 Keep your stick on the ice.

Maintenance Week 32: Reflecting on the process

 Hey Guys,

 I hope you are starting to enjoy the warmer weather. I just wanted to check in and remind you to reflect on whether your exercise and diet routines are still healthy and that you are maintaining the changes that you had made during the 12 weeks of training sessions. You all did a great job incorporating your new knowledge about healthy lifestyles into your own daily living and we want to remind you how important it is to continue to use those skills. If you are ever questioning whether you have slipped back into old habits, set some SMART goals for next week and then reflect on whether you were able to meet them. If you find yourself running into new situations where making healthy choices may be difficult, ask others for suggestions about how they may have handled them (eg. Eating well while traveling, or exercising when at a cottage for the weekend).

 Keep your stick on the ice.

Maintenance Week 37: Hockey FIT for life?

 Hey Guys,

 Congrats everyone, it has now been almost a year since you started the program. Now we want you to think back to those weight loss tips which you found most useful during the program and consider how often you still use them. Some people have found this program to be life-changing and we hope that you will continue to use the tools and tips that you learned as part of the program to maintain your weight loss or increased physical activity. We also want to take this opportunity to wish you good luck in the future and remind you to continue to use the HealtheSteps™ App and to stay in touch with each other using this network. You all supported each other so much during the program and maintaining those relationships or even reaching out to new friends will help you maintain your healthy lifestyle. Remember the network is also a great place to post ideas about pick-up hockey games or other activities that you may be getting involved in. I look forward to seeing you guys in a couple weeks and hearing about your successes in the past 12 months.

 Keep your stick on the ice.