As a nutritionist I work with many different types of clients regarding nutrition but the majority of people seek me out for weight loss. They read my client testimonials and recognize themselves in the writers, especially those that say they've made REAL habit and behavior changes and they will never gain the 20,30, 40 lbs back that they have lost. As their nutritionist and coach, I know what kind of changes those clients made, and I believe that they won't go back to where they started. That's not to say that they won't gain back 4-10lbs, but they won't go beyond that because they've learned how to balance the role that food plays in their life. They see things differently and feel differently about how and WHY they eat. They were READY to come in and do the work and try something different than they had in the past. They were READY to do more than just go on a diet. They were READY to figure out WHY they kept gaining and losing the same weight year after year.
I had an interesting session with a client that I first met in November 2013. I will refer to her as Client X. X is a professional woman in her 40's. In 7 months she lost 33lbs. It may not sound like a lot in that period of time, but while she was losing the weight she was learning about what was making her overeat and why. Most important, she was learning how to change it. Behavior change doesn't happen over night. She told me in our session today, "I gave myself one year to arrive at whatever it takes and whatever I needed to spend to change. I was tired of doing the same things that were not getting me where I needed to be. I told myself that when we had our sessions I had to be 100% honest with you and that being honest was the only way I could change."
Client X is one of my real success stories. She listened to what I had to say. She was "open" to listening and considered the suggestions I made to her as to why she may always regain the weight. I've worked with clients who, I know, feel like I am judging them. They are not quite ready to admit that just maybe, a behavior they have around food and eating is possibly sabotaging their efforts for permanent weight loss. It's a fine line that I have to walk at times. I refer to my sessions with my clients as "food therapy". The truth is you want to uncover and change what is driving you to overeat, compulsively eat, binge eat etc,. You must explore the underlying factors, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you feel, to create change. I strongly believe that if you understand the cause of the behaviors/habits they are easier to change. The definition of habit is A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition. In order to develop a new, healthier habit it takes work and practice, practice, practice.
I am happy to report that Client X is now no longer sitting on the couch by herself eating too much take-out. She is running races, climbing stairs, working with a trainer and out often with friends. She rediscovered herself and her life. She is staying within the 4lb. weight range we decided on for her to maintain. She now checks in every 3-4 weeks by phone.
So, are you REALLY READY to change? If you said YES! Contact me for your 20 minute complimentary phone consultation. Let me help you get from where you are now to where you long to be!
In good health,
Lisa Goldberg MS,CNS,CDN
Nutritionist & Weight Loss Coach
212-920-0070
lisa@healthcoachllc.com
www.HealthCoach-Lisa.com
PS...If you are not quite ready, you can start by following me on FACEBOOK for tips on weight loss and go to my website for your FREE copy of my 10 Step Action Plan to Start Losing Weight NOW!
In the last 12 years that I have been working with clients to address issues with weight the bottom line is always the same-emotional eating. Emotional eating isn't always in the form of sitting down nightly with a pint of ice cream and a bag of Oreos. For some emotional eating is so subtle they don't even realize they are doing it. For example, you are having a very stressful day at work and you pass by your co-workers desk and scoop up a handful of
M & M's. A little later its a cookie or just a few jelly beans. Or perhaps you are a mom who had a stressful day at work or at home with the kids. When everyone is in bed you sit down on the couch to relax watching TV with a big bowl of chips, pretzels, goldfish etc. Most don't even notice they are eating these small extra bites throughout the day because it's " just what they do" to try to clam themselves down to relieve the stress. Food is used to self-soothe.
This is why when you go on a diet, if you follow the plan, you will lose the weight but eventually gain it back because you do not address the behavior and habits of emotional eating. For most, this is the hardest part because you have to address some things in your life that caused you to use food or comfort in the first place. For many it started way back in childhood.
So where do you begin? Start by keeping a food journal. When you write it down you notice all the extra bites you take during the day. Over the course of a week these extra bites turn into excess pounds. Next, become mindful. Pay attention to your hunger. Be sure to eat satisfying, healthy meals and don't let yourself get too hungry during the day. Notice if you often eat when you are NOT hungry. Stay hydrated. Thirst is often confused with hunger.
Be kind to yourself if you slip up. Speak to yourself as you would a friend. Negative self-talk is often a culprit in emotional eating. Start each day reminding yourself to stay mindful about your hunger and making the best choices that will make you feel good. Eating something that ultimately makes you feel guilty and bad about yourself is NOT a good food choice.
Check out my website to see what some of my clients had to say about the changes and transformations they were able to make around food and eating.
www.HealthCoach-Lisa.com
In good heath,
Lisa Goldberg MS,CNS,CDN
lisa@healthcoachll.com
212-920-0070
