Leave the Shame Spiral Behind and Step Into a New Approach with The S.H.I.F.T. Program
Sustainable Habits, Identity, Food & Thought
A self-paced program grounded in psychology and behavioural science—designed to support GLP-1 users and anyone ready to shift habits, mindset, and patterns around food. Learn how to work with your body, not against it.
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Why Choose The SHIFT Program?
Grounded in Psychology
Created by an AHPRA-registered Clinical Psychologist, SHIFT is an educational program designed to help you explore your patterns with food, body, and self — beyond the scale. You'll be guided through evidence-informed tools to better understand emotional eating, reshape daily habits, and align your choices with the person you're becoming.
GLP-1 Supportive Framework
Whether you’re using a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic or focusing on lifestyle changes alone, SHIFT is an educational program designed to support your journey. It offers practical tools, psychological strategies, and structured guidance to help you build habits and mindset foundations that restrictive diets often overlook.
Science-Informed, Not Trend-Driven
SHIFT is rooted in behavioural science, psychology, and current research around sustainable lifestyle change. You won’t find meal plans, gimmicks, or quick fixes here, just practical tools and evidence-informed strategies to help you better understand your habits, mindset, and patterns over time.
Disclaimer:
The SHIFT Program is an educational and self-guided resource created by a registered health practitioner. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical or psychological condition. The program does not replace professional medical advice, mental health treatment, or any therapeutic service.
Participation in this program does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. Outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances. If you have specific health concerns, are taking medication, or are under the care of a medical or mental health professional, please consult them before starting this or any behavioural change program.
How The SHIFT Program Works
Understand Your Patterns
Explore the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that influence your relationship with food. Through guided self-reflection and evidence-informed mindset tools, SHIFT helps you recognise personal patterns and explore new responses that feel more aligned with your goals.
Learn What Shapes Your Eating Behaviours
Gain insight into the psychological and biological factors that can affect appetite, habits, and decision-making. You’ll learn how to identify common challenges around food and develop greater awareness of what your body and mind may be communicating — all through a science-informed lens.
Build a Mindset That Supports Long-Term Change
SHIFT offers strategies to help you build consistent, realistic routines that align with your values and lifestyle — with or without medication. This is not about perfection, but about showing up for yourself with clarity, curiosity, and compassion.
For GLP-1 Medication Users
Honour your Appetite
Explore strategies to better understand emotional and habitual eating, so you can respond more intentionally to hunger cues. SHIFT encourages you to tune into your body's signals and build awareness around your eating patterns — with or without medication.
Support for Your Journey
GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic® or Wegovy® may support appetite regulation. SHIFT offers educational tools that help you build routines, structure, and mindset habits alongside your medical treatment—so you can feel more confident navigating everyday decisions.
Planning Beyond Medication
If you’re planning to transition off medications, SHIFT provides a self-guided framework to help you stay consistent with behaviour-based tools and reflective practices. The focus is on reinforcing long-term habits that align with your personal goals.
Why I Created The SHIFT Program
Created by Laura Forlani - AHPRA Registered Clinical Psychologist
B.Sc (Psychology/Psychophysiology), M.Psych(Clinical), B.A.Supervisor
"Sustainable health is built on self-awareness, structure, and education—applied consistently over time."
My mission is to provide practical tools, psychological insight, and genuine support to help you build a healthier relationship with your body—one that is sustainable, evidence-based, and truly your own.
Willpower Myths
As a psychologist, I often saw individuals stuck in frustrating cycles around weight and food. Many had internalised the belief that success was just a matter of more willpower — a mindset that often led to shame when strict routines inevitably became unsustainable. Over time, this cycle of “start strong, burn out, start again” left people feeling defeated and disconnected from their own needs. SHIFT was created to offer a different path — one grounded in self-awareness, structure, and science-informed support.
The Foundation of Lasting Change
The SHIFT Program was created from the understanding that meaningful change begins with self-awareness — not perfection. Drawing on years of experience in psychological practice and research, I saw how long-term success is more likely when people explore the emotional, biological, and behavioural patterns influencing their choices. SHIFT offers an educational space to develop that awareness, empowering participants to approach health goals with clarity, curiosity, and compassion.
My Mission: Structure, Support, and Self-Compassion
My mission is to help shift the narrative from guilt and frustration to clarity, structure, and self-compassion. After seeing the emotional weight of rigid and unsustainable approaches, I developed a program that reflects the complexity of real behaviour change. SHIFT integrates insights from psychology with practical, evidence-informed tools — creating space for participants to better understand their patterns and move forward with confidence and care.
Disclaimer:
The SHIFT Program is an educational and self-guided resource created by a registered health practitioner. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical or psychological condition. The program does not replace professional medical advice, mental health treatment, or any therapeutic service.
Participation in this program does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. Outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances. If you have specific health concerns, are taking medication, or are under the care of a medical or mental health professional, please consult them before starting this or any behavioural change program.
FAQs About the SHIFT Program
Is SHIFT only for people using weight loss medications?
No — SHIFT is designed for anyone interested in exploring their relationship with food, habits, and health. While many participants use it alongside GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic® or Wegovy®, the program is equally relevant for those pursuing lifestyle changes without medication. SHIFT focuses on self-awareness, behaviour patterns, and mindset — all of which can support sustainable change, no matter your starting point..
How quickly will I receive my materials after purchase?
Immediately! If you purchase the eBook Essential, you will be able to download it immediately! If you sign up for the online course, you'll receive access straight away :-)
What makes SHIFT different from other weight loss programs?
SHIFT takes a psychology-informed approach to behaviour change. Rather than focusing on rigid meal plans or quick fixes, it explores the habits, mindset, and emotional patterns that influence your relationship with food. By increasing self-awareness and providing practical tools for reflection and consistency, SHIFT supports long-term change from the inside out.
Can I use SHIFT if I'm not on GLP-1 medications?
Absolutely. SHIFT is designed for anyone interested in building healthier habits, improving self-awareness, and exploring their relationship with food. While some participants choose to use it alongside GLP-1 medications, the program’s principles stand alone and are relevant for anyone pursuing sustainable lifestyle change — with or without medication.
Get Started Today!
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Program Options
Choose between our Essential Ebook or the SHIFT Complete Package
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Simple Step
Make your secure purchase and gain instant access to materials
Contact Us
Support Access
Email our team anytime for questions about accessing your program or provide us with feedback: info@theshiftprogram.com.au
Choose Your SHIFT Program Package
Select the option that best suits your weight management journey and goals.
The SHIFT Essentials eBook
$29.95 AUD
  • Comprehensive PDF guide
  • All core SHIFT strategies
  • Reflective exercises
  • Behavioural techniques
  • Instant digital delivery
Perfect for self-starters looking for all the essential tools to begin their transformation
The SHIFT Complete Package
$179.99AUD INTRODUCTORY OFFER: $79.95 AUD!
The Full SHIFT Essentials eBook restructured into bite-sized modules for easy application.
  • Extended Activities & Reflections: exclusive exercises not included in the standalone book.
  • Lifetime Updates— Anytime the program evolves, you’ll get instant access to the newest version, forever.
  • Access to our SHIFT-AI Chat Companion upon completion of the course —powered by GPT, it’s like having a mindset coach in your pocket. Ask questions, get support, and stay on track 24/7.
* Please note this requires a ChatGPT subscription.
Recommended for:
  • People on GLP-1s who want sustainable tools post-medication.
  • People who want self-paced learning, deeper insights for lasting change, and ongoing support.
Disclaimer:
The SHIFT Program is an educational and self-guided resource created by a registered health practitioner. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical or psychological condition. The program does not replace professional medical advice, mental health treatment, or any therapeutic service.
Participation in this program does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. Outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances. If you have specific health concerns, are taking medication, or are under the care of a medical or mental health professional, please consult them before starting this or any behavioural change program.
If you are experiencing mental health difficulties or are in crisis, please seek help from a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional immediately.
Blogs
Why Weight Loss Isn't About Willpower: What Science Really Says
Taking GLP-1s? Here's What No One Tells You About Keeping the Weight Off
Mindset Over Meal Plans: Why Your Thinking Determines Your Weight Loss Success
Why Weight Loss Isn't All About Willpower: What Science Really Says
Introduction: Why We Need to Rethink Weight Loss If you've ever blamed yourself for not having enough willpower to lose weight, you're not alone. But here's the truth: weight loss isn't about discipline or self-control. It's about biology, psychology, and environment. The idea that weight gain is a personal failure is not only outdated - it's flat-out wrong. This blog breaks down the latest science and shows you why a new approach is not just helpful, it's essential.
1. The Myth of Willpower: Why It's Not About Trying Harder For decades, the mantra for weight loss was "eat less, move more." But research now shows that the body is far more complex. Appetite, metabolism, and even motivation are all regulated by powerful biological systems.
  • Set Point Theory suggests your body defends a certain weight range by adjusting hunger and metabolic rate (Hall et al., 2011).
  • Hormones like ghrelin (which increases hunger) and leptin (which signals fullness) shift dramatically after weight loss, often driving regain (Sumithran et al., 2011).
  • Studies show that 40–70% of weight variability is heritable. Genetics influence how you store fat, process food, and experience hunger (Loos, 2018).
So if you've struggled to maintain weight loss, it's not because you're weak. It's because your biology is wired to protect your weight—even if that weight is making you unwell.
2. The Psychological Side: What Traditional Diets Miss Willpower-based approaches often ignore the emotional and cognitive patterns that drive eating behaviours. Emotional eating, all-or-nothing thinking, perfectionism, and shame are often at the root of "falling off the waggon."
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) show us that real, sustainable change comes from
  • Rewiring thought patterns
  • Practicing self-compassion
  • Building habits aligned with your identity and values
Research-backed tools like habit stacking, flexible thinking, and reflection are more effective than any rigid diet plan.
3. The Role of GLP-1 Medications: Helpful, but Not a Silver Bullet GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic or Wegovy) can dramatically reduce appetite and improve blood sugar control. But the weight loss they trigger often plateaus or reverses if deeper lifestyle and mindset shifts aren't in place.
In a major study, participants who stopped semaglutide regained weight unless they had strong behavioural supports in place (Rubino et al., 2022).
4. The SHIFT Approach: Real Support for Real Life The SHIFT Program was created to fill the missing gap in the weight loss conversation. Designed by a clinical psychologist, it's grounded in science and built around the actual challenges people face.
  • Understand your biology (so you stop blaming yourself)
  • Shift your mindset (using CBT, ACT, and identity-based change)
  • Build sustainable habits (with tools that fit real life)
Whether you're using GLP-1s or not, this program helps you make weight loss last by transforming how you think, feel, and live.
Conclusion: You're Not the Problem. The Approach Is. If willpower hasn't worked for you, that's not a failure, that's a sign you're ready for a smarter, more compassionate path. When you understand the why behind your challenges, you finally gain the tools to make change stick.
Want to stop starting over every Monday?
Start with The SHIFT Program eBook: your guide to lasting, science-backed transformation.
Taking GLP-1s? Here's What No One Tells You About Keeping the Weight Off
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro® have revolutionised weight management for millions. While these medications can produce dramatic results, there's a crucial conversation that's often missing: what happens when you stop the medication?
GLP-1s can change your appetite—but they can't change your identity. If you're relying on the injection alone, you're missing the piece that makes the weight stay off for good.
The Biology Component
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Saxenda® reduce hunger and cravings, helping you feel in control of food. But clinical research shows that when people stop taking them, weight often returns unless deeper shifts have occurred.
The Psychology Component
GLP-1s can't rewire emotional eating patterns, heal your relationship with food, build resilience when motivation dips, or teach consistency through stress. That's where psychology becomes essential.
The medication addresses your biology. Psychology addresses your behaviour. You can leverage both.
The Window of Opportunity
GLP-1s provide a unique window when food feels easier and you're open to change. This period is the perfect moment to build lasting habits.
🥗 Change How You Think About Your Diet
An approach that works even when your appetite returns. Think protein, fibre, and satisfaction—not restriction.
🧠 Cognitive Skills
Navigate cravings, setbacks, and emotional triggers without relying on food as your primary coping mechanism.
🛠️ Supportive Routines
From meal planning to social boundaries, structure protects your progress when willpower inevitably fluctuates.
💪 Metabolic Resilience
Movement you enjoy builds strength and connection to your body—not just to burn calories.
🤝 Your Complete Support System
Medical Support
Your GP or specialist guides your medical care, tracking progress and helping you decide when (or if) to continue medication.
Mindset Work
The SHIFT Program can work alongside medical support to provide the psychological foundation for sustainable change.
What Is The SHIFT Program?
The SHIFT Program is a psychology-led, GLP-1–supportive framework created by a clinical psychologist to help you:
  • Understand why mindset—not willpower—is key
  • Build habits and identity shifts that last beyond medication
  • Prepare for life after the plateau and life after the prescription
  • Feel confident, not anxious, about keeping the weight off
GLP-1s may start your transformation.
Mindset and behavioural changes can sustain it.
Let's work with your body and with your healthcare team. Your success isn't just something you reach… it's something you live.
Mindset Over Meal Plans: Why Your Thinking Influences Your Weight Loss Success
When it comes to sustainable weight loss, what happens in your mind often matters more than what happens on your plate. Recent research in behavioural psychology and neuroscience has consistently shown that cognitive factors play a critical role in determining who succeeds at long-term weight management—and who doesn't.
The Science of Mindset in Weight Management
A growing body of research published in journals like Obesity Reviews and the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity demonstrates that psychological factors predict weight loss success more accurately than diet type or exercise regimen. When researchers from Stanford University studied over 600 participants across different diet programs, they found that psychological variables, including mindset flexibility, self-efficacy, and cognitive restraint—were stronger predictors of success than the specific diet followed.
Neuroplasticity Matters
Your brain literally rewires itself based on repetitive thoughts and behaviours. Neuroimaging studies show that consistent positive thoughts about healthy choices create stronger neural pathways, making healthy behaviours increasingly automatic over time.
The Weight-Identity Connection
Research from the National Weight Control Registry shows that people who successfully maintain weight loss begin to identify as someone who naturally makes healthy choices, rather than someone "on a diet."
Emotional Regulation
Studies in the Journal of Health Psychology demonstrate that developing effective emotional coping strategies beyond food is predictive of long-term weight management as caloric knowledge.
Why Willpower Isn't Always Enough
Contrary to popular belief, research from the American Psychological Association confirms that willpower is a finite resource that depletes with use. This explains why relying solely on "discipline" typically leads to failure. Instead, evidence suggests that creating systems and thought patterns that reduce the need for willpower is far more effective.
Mindset Strategies Backed by Science
Psychological Flexibility
A 2021 meta-analysis in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that psychological flexibility—the ability to adapt thinking and behaviour based on changing situations—was associated with significantly better weight management outcomes. This includes accepting difficult emotions without using food to cope and maintaining healthy behaviours despite challenges.
Implementation Intentions
Research by psychologist Peter Gollwitzer shows that forming specific "if-then" plans (e.g., "If I feel stressed, then I'll take a 10-minute walk") increases success rates by up to 300% compared to general intentions like "I'll eat better." These mental frameworks automate decision-making in challenging situations.
The Role of Social Cognition
Our thoughts don't exist in isolation. Multiple studies confirm that our social environment shapes our eating behaviours through both conscious and unconscious pathways. Research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that we unconsciously mirror the eating behaviours of those around us—but mindful awareness of these influences can help us maintain autonomy in our choices.
Practical Applications
Translating this research into everyday practice involves developing specific cognitive skills:
  1. Practice cognitive restructuring by identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts about food, body image, and progress
  1. Develop self-compassion when facing setbacks (shown to increase resilience versus self-criticism)
  1. Build metacognitive awareness - the ability to observe your thoughts without automatically acting on them
  1. Create environmental supports that make healthy choices require less mental effort
  1. Focus on identity-based habits ("I'm becoming someone who enjoys movement") rather than outcome-based goals
The Integration of Mind and Body
By addressing both the psychological and physiological aspects of weight management, we create a powerful synergy that makes lasting change not just possible, but natural. The evidence is clear: when it comes to long-term weight management success, what you think matters just as much as what you eat.
Choose Your SHIFT Program Package
Select the option that best suits your health goals.
The SHIFT Essentials eBook
$29.95 AUD
  • Comprehensive PDF guide
  • All core SHIFT strategies
  • Reflective exercises
  • Behavioural techniques
  • Instant digital delivery
Perfect for self-starters looking for all the essential tools to begin their transformation
The SHIFT Complete Package
$179.99AUD INTRODUCTORY OFFER: $79.95 AUD!
The Full SHIFT Essentials eBook restructured into bite-sized modules for easy application.
  • Extended Activities & Reflections: exclusive exercises not included in the standalone book.
  • Lifetime Updates— Anytime the program evolves, you’ll get instant access to the newest version, forever.
  • Access to our SHIFT-AI Chat Companion upon completion of the course —powered by GPT, it’s like having a mindset coach in your pocket. Ask questions, get support, and stay on track 24/7.
* Please note this requires a ChatGPT subscription.
Recommended for:
  • People on GLP-1s who want sustainable tools post-medication.
  • People who want self-paced learning, deeper insights for lasting change, and ongoing support.
Disclaimer:
The SHIFT Program is an educational and self-guided resource created by a registered health practitioner. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical or psychological condition. The program does not replace professional medical advice, mental health treatment, or any therapeutic service.
Participation in this program does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. Outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances. If you have specific health concerns, are taking medication, or are under the care of a medical or mental health professional, please consult them before starting this or any behavioural change program.
If you are experiencing mental health difficulties or are in crisis, please seek help from a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional immediately.