Online Weight Loss Coaching

The availability of books, diet support groups and online resources makes attaining information on weight loss convenient. However, the abundance of information may make it difficult to decide which weight-loss program is right for you. An online weight-loss coach can offer support, encouragement and information on healthy lifestyle that may help you lose weight.

Benefits

Using an online weight-loss coach may help you lose weight more successfully than just using an online weight-loss tracking program with no one-on-one support, found a study led by Deborah Tate. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2003 discovered that overweight adults who had access to counseling through an email relationship with a weight-loss counselor lost more weight than the adults who did not. A weight-loss coach can help you learn new habits, analyze your exercise and eating plan and monitor your progress in conjunction with your doctor.

Types

An online weight-loss coach may be a licensed nutritionist, registered dietitian, a degreed psychologist or simply a person with an interest in weight-loss. Some fitness professionals are also certified as weight management consultants. A certified or licensed professional may be preferable to an unlicensed coach due to the increased education, training and continuing classes many professionals are required to take in order to keep their licenses current.

Services

The services offered by online weight-loss coaches vary greatly. Consider your personality, lifestyle and goals when selecting a coach. Some offer mainly social support in the form of email or phone encouragement and possibly access to a group online forum. Others may offer analysis of your behavior in regard to foods and how your attitudes affect your food choices. A registered dietitian may focus more on eating habits and food choices, which may be helpful if you are unsure how to cut calories and eat a well-rounded diet. A fitness coach may help you by instructing you through email literature on weight workouts, aerobic exercise goals and food choices.

Warnings

Be wary if an online weight-loss coach offers a program that promises quick, easy weight loss by following her online program. Such a coach may be advocating a fad diet, which is one that will not work long-term and may be dangerous, according to FamilyDoctor.org. A good online weight-loss coach will offer you access to materials that have been screened or approved by a medical professional and backed up by research. Avoid any weight-loss coach that recommends eating only certain foods, does not allow you to contact previous clients or indicates that you will lose weight very quickly.

Considerations

Consider the cost, ease of use and the number of times a week your weight-loss coach offers communication with you. Some online coaches offer both email and phone support, while others offer weekly emails. Ask if the coach will answer specific nutritional questions via email or simply send you a standard, prewritten reply. If your online weight-loss coach focuses mainly on nutrition, begin an exercise program in conjunction with healthier eating patterns, if recommended by your doctor.