A supportive environment helps you stay on track when you decide to lose weight. Finding a weight-loss partner and receiving support from friends and family is effective for some people. Others need professional support and assistance to create a workable weight loss plan they can maintain. Professionals can help you identify and handle potential road blocks as you work toward a healthier weight.
Physician
Your physician uses your health background to help you develop a safe weight-loss plan. She understands the potential medical risks you have that could limit exercise. A physical exam also gives you a baseline for your current health and identifies any underlying health conditions you weren't already aware of. As you lose weight, subsequent doctor's visits help you track your progress in your weight-loss efforts.
Dietitian
Dietitians specialize in creating healthful eating plans for their clients. The dietitian looks at your current eating habits to identify areas to change. She teaches you the basics of healthful eating for weight loss and helps create a dietary plan you can use. A dietitian also teaches you strategies to make healthier food choices and serves as a resource throughout the weight loss process. Some people meet with a dietitian once while others meet regularly for continued education and support.
Personal Trainer
A personal trainer handles the physical aspect of weight loss. Exercise improves the overall health of your body and burns calories to promote weight loss. If you aren't sure how to start or what exercises to do, a personal trainer is a resource to get you started. He takes into consideration your current fitness level to create a personalized exercise program. Personal trainers teach their clients how to perform exercise moves correctly to avoid injury. They also serve as a motivator to help you avoid quitting your workout early. Like a dietitian, personal trainers are sometimes used for an initial consultation and other times used regularly during workouts.
Wellness Coach
A wellness coach provides overall support and coaching to get you to a healthier point. She helps you look for aspects of your life that negatively affect your heath and wellness. She provides steps to break those poor health habits to get you on a healthier track. Goal-setting is often an activity used in wellness coaching. The healthy changes often lead to weight loss. Some corporate wellness plans offer access to a wellness coach so check with your employer to see if this is an option.
Counselor
Stressful personal and professional situations in your life often affect weight loss efforts. Emotional eating and eating disorders also stand in the way of healthful weight loss. A counselor is a professional who can help if stress, emotional problems or disorders are a problem for you. Work with the counselor to address those issues to reduce the effect they have on your weight-loss plan.
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