CONSISTENCY IS SOOOO BORING

"Title said in my best annoyed teenager voice"

When it comes to weight loss, Consistency is BORING.

But it’s true, it’s necessary, and it’s the best way to improve your health, lose weight, and get LASTING results.

There is always “another” diet. South Beach. Atkins. Keto. Paleo. I’m old enough to remember the Grapefruit Diet!

There’s always “another” fitness craze. CrossFit. P90X. V-Shred. TaeBo. I’m also old enough to remember Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda’s workout videos!

There are always weight loss programs. Weight Watchers. Jenny Craig. Noom. Nutri-System.

But.

The only way these things work is if you do them CONSISTENTLY. If you don’t stick with it, not only will you stop losing weight, but most likely you will gain it back.

This is why it’s MORE important to develop Healthy HABITS than to jump on another diet, fitness, or weight loss program. 

I said what I said.

One of the reasons that health coaching is not only growing in popularity, but also being incorporated into medical practices across the country is because patients/clients who work with a health coach are more likely to have, not only weight loss and improved health conditions (blood pressure, cholesterol levels, heart disease, diabetes), but to SUSTAIN lasting results.

Why? What makes health coaching so different from a diet, a fitness program, or a weight loss program?

Well, a few things. Consistency, obviously.

Behavior change. It’s not just about following a set of rules for 30 days. It’s about changing your behaviors, your habits, and your routines so that healthy choices and activities become an everyday part of your life.

Accountability. Showing up for appointments (in person, over the phone, or online) and going over the choices you made during the week. No judgment! Just an honest look at what worked and what didn’t. And the ability to regroup and try a new tactic when things aren’t working.

Support. Again, no judgment. Acceptance of where you are, how you’re doing, and what you need to keep working toward your goals. Do you need a pat on the back? A kick in the pants? Someone to honestly tell you, “You CAN do this!” even when it’s hard? Health coaches have your back!

And the ever-important, but often ignored, Celebration. No one understands the importance of celebration when it comes to habit change and long-lasting health. It’s only been studied over the last decade or so, and there’s still more to be looked at. But what IS known is that participants in studies at Stanford who added CELEBRATION to their routines, behaviors, and habits increased their likelihood of success.

Even though it’s easy to look at consistency in your weight loss efforts as BORING and not very exciting, if you’re trying to lose weight for the long haul, it’s a great place to focus your energy. And adding a health coach to your team can drastically increase your chances for meeting your goals.