Coach To Lose

I often teach those that I coach that they are not on a diet.  They are on a journey.  This journey takes many forms and is very much an adventure to learn more about what makes them tick.  As with all journeys there are obstacles to delay your progress, helpers along the way, and lessons to be learned.

First, we need to prepare for the obstacles.  The best way to prepare is to take stock of your strengths and weaknesses.  In weight loss this means an honest look at what triggers you to eat.  Are you a stress eater?  Do you have foods that are near impossible to leave alone?  Or like I was, a muncher or see food, eat food.  Noticed I started with a look at weaknesses.  That is so you can clear those up in your mind and build on your strengths.  The why seems to be the biggest strength that I can teach people to find.  The reason you seek results, what is it?  Is it health reasons?  Is it all about the way you look?  Is it about leading others in your family to take better care of them?  Or is it that nagging pain in your chest that you didn’t want to look at?  Find something that is big enough to help you focus on the goals rather than the everyday results.  So now you are prepared to overcome the obstacles.  You just need a plan to get to the goals.

Next is to watch for helpers along the way.  This could be supportive family and friends, or it could simply be your health coach or medical professional.  This helper will encourage you to stay on the diet until you reach goal and make the lifestyle choices a permanent part of your life.  See the reason for the journey is the changes that occur along the way.  These helpers are you life coach’s reasons for being placed in your life along the path.   In the next leg of the journey you learn how to maintain your success and walk the path to optimal health.  Not to just get to the top of the hill and slide back down to where you came from.

During mileposts along the way it is good to take the time and look at the lessons learned.  Food is fuel, being healthy feels good, and nothing tastes as good as healthy feels.  These are just to name a few.  These lessons can be drawn from each time there is a call to go back to the old ways.  To make choices each day to stay the course and when off track to get back on your path will become your daily goal.  You don’t have to walk a perfect path to reach the destination.  I heard once that even a jet airliner is adjusted in course several times an hour just to reach one destination.  Life is very much the same.  Make a mistake?  Forgive yourself, learn from it, and get back on the path you have set yourself on.  Can’t find the forgiveness, call one of those helpers, ask them to remind you of your strengths.

Inch by inch, step by step, one bite at a time, you can reach your goals and maintain your health.  There is no time like today to start!