"That Approach Worked For My Friend,
Why Isn't It Working for Me?"
The Coach and Client Conversation Series
If you’ve ever said or thought that sentence on your weight loss journey, this article is for you.
The fourth installment in our Client Conversations with Coaches series, this article lets you witness a scenario where one of our skilled Evolved coaches helps a client experiencing that very obstacle:
“That approach worked for my friend, why isn’t this working for me?”
Let’s get right to it.
This scenario opens with our coach and a new client meeting for their first Behavior Coaching session. In these sessions, our coaches bring the science of behavior change to the field of fitness so our clients have an easier and more enjoyable path to lasting results.
Let’s listen in.
Coach: Thanks for meeting with me.
Walking into a new environment, especially a gym,
can be uncomfortable at first so I’m glad you’re here.
Let’s start with the big picture.
What’s the goal?
Client: I’m so frustrated. I’m following
[keto, paleo, whole 30, sugar detox, low carb, carnivore, or etc.]
and the scale just won’t budge.
It worked for my friend, but not for me.
Coach: I see that you’re frustrated
and I can offer some help.
Client: Please do.
I’m about to pull my hair out.
Coach: I’m happy to.
I've worked with plenty of people coming from similar circumstances
and pursuing similar goals,
so I'm confident we can see results.
Now, as for using that particular approach for weight loss,
It can work, but
the single largest factor to consider is caloric intake.
Client: But I thought [this particular approach] was for weight loss.
Coach: Any approach can be used for weight loss or weight gain
depending on the number of calories eaten.
Imagine if I eat nothing but the "healthiest" imaginable food,
but I eat 6000 calories of it a day,
I'm still going to put on weight.
Does that make sense?
Client: Yeah, it does.
Coach: With our time together, we're going to take a different path.
Instead of adopting a program that we have to fit your life in,
we're going to create a program that fits your life.
Client: That sounds way better.
With these other approaches,
I'm just basing my choices
on what worked for someone else I know.
Coach: And we're going to sidestep that previous frustration
by implementing customized strategies that are
both effective and fit your lifestyle.
That way your weight loss journey is easier and more enjoyable.
Are you ready to get started?
Client: Yes!
Coach: Great.
Now that we're on the same page when it comes to weight loss,
let's start by really clarifying your goal and
create some customized strategies for you.
Client: I'm excited.
Let's get this ball rolling.
