With the seasons changing and summer nearing the subject of weight loss seems to be on the minds and tongues of many. Whether trying to lose weight to look good in a swimsuit, increase energy or improve health many people are searching for any diet secret, workout program, or nutritional supplement that will help shed the pounds. The number and variety of weight loss programs available to people interested in losing weight is staggering. In fact a quick internet search of “weight loss program” yields millions of results. Navigating through the quick fixes and gimmicks to find a weight loss program that works must be a daunting task. One novel approach to losing weight that seems to be gaining traction is idea of hiring a personal coach, sometimes referred to as a health coach or wellness coach or life coach or weight loss coach.
Whether speaking with a coach by phone, over the internet, or in person, coaching is a powerful means for effecting lasting change. After speaking with many coaches and undergoing a health coaching program myself I can see the implications for applying such a process to a weight loss program. Unlike a fad diet or quick fix, coaches help you define your short and long term goals, devise a strategic plan for how to achieve those goals and help you track progress and deal with obstacles along the way. Continuing contact with your coach keeps you motivated and accountable for achieving the vision that you develop. In fact one of the most common motivations for contacting a health coach is weight loss. Often the people that hire a coach are tired of the gimmicks and have had very limited success with other weight loss programs. The coaches I have spoken with have been very successful at coaching their clients to weight loss and have even found that success has carried over to other areas of their client’s life.
Surprisingly many coaches that I have spoken with prefer to coach their clients via the phone and web. The dynamic is less distracting than a face to face encounter and more convenient for the client. In fact many coaches have never seen their clients in person and have clients from all across the country. If you are sick of quick fixes and looking for a weight loss program that works while creating a lasting life transformation you may want to consider getting yourself a coach.
