Table 1 Major Content of TLC Intervention Sessions

1. Getting Started & Blood Pressure Overview

Introduction to the program. Education about blood pressure and hypertension. Discussion of risk factors for hypertension and behavioral approached to controlling hypertension.

2. Medications

Introduction to medications for HTN. Myths and Facts about HTN medications, tips for taking charge of medications, and understanding medication labels. Discussion of current medication taking behavior and goals for adherence. Introduction to the Medication Diary. At-Home Activity: Medication Diary.

3. DASH Eating Plan & Introduction to Goal Setting

Introduction to the DASH Eating plan. Discussion of DASH pyramid, food groups and servings. SMART goal setting for healthy eating goal. Introduction to Healthy Living Diary (food and activity diary). At-Home Activity: Healthy living diary, Medication diary.

4. Food Labels & Sodium

Discussion about reading food labels and nutrition facts. Facts about salt and sodium, and tips for how to lead a low sodium life. Revisiting healthy eating goal and introduction of rewards. At-Home Activity: Healthy living diary, Medication diary.

5. Physical Activity & Stress Management

Introduction to physical activity. Discussion of FITT guidelines, impact of exercise on HTN, finding time for physical activity. Physical activity goal setting. Discussion of stress and health. Quiet time activity. At-Home Activity: Healthy living diary, Medication diary.

6. Serving Sizes and Portion Control

Review of medications and DASH eating plan. Discussion about serving sizes, portion control and the plate method. Revisiting the physical activity goal. At-Home Activity: Healthy living diary, Medication diary.

7. Meal Planning & Shopping

Discussion of the buddy system and physical activity. Discussion of planning for meals and tips for shopping. Checking in on goal progress. At-Home Activity: Healthy living diary, Medication diary.

8. Eating Triggers & Eating Awareness

Discussion of eating triggers and eating awareness. Mindful eating activity. Revisit health eating goal. At-Home Activity: Healthy living diary, Medication diary.

9. Specials Occasions, Eating Out &Recipe Substitutions

Discussion of strategies for attending special occasions and eating out. Recipe substitutions. Revisit physical activity goal. At-Home Activity: Healthy living diary, Medication diary.

10. Planning for Lasting Change

Review of overall program content. Discussion of what worked with medication adherence. Adopting the attitude "It's not a diet it's a lifestyle." Discussion of physical activity throughout the year. Planning for lasting change activity.