More than two-thirds of the American population is either obese or overweight, according to information gathered over four years during a United States National Health and Nutriition Examination Survey. This provides a large client base for weight loss challenge coaches, whose job description includes improving the diet, exercise and morale of persons who want to shed pounds.
Diet
A weight loss challenge coach should draw up a diet plan that helps you safely meet your goals. Your coach should express a clear knowledge of nutrition and design a diet plan that takes into consideration your height, weight, age and health. Part of a weight loss challenge coach's job description also includes compensating for religious, moral and other factors that may limit your food options. A good weight loss coach should, for instance, demonstrate willingness and ability to design vegan, kosher and allergy-restricted diets. Your weight loss challenge coach should also consider medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels when developing a diet specific to your needs. Your coach should understand your dietary needs beyond the simple mathematics of calories consumed versus calories expended.
Exercise
Regular exercise will help you burn calories, tone muscles and improve heart and lung function. But just as no diet plan fits everyone's needs, no exercise plan can be universally adopted. The job description of a weight loss challenge coach includes finding an exercise regimen that matches your body and health type. Expect your weight loss challenge coach to accommodate conditions such as injuries, joint problems or asthma. Your weight loss challenge coach should design a safe and effective exercise plan for you as well as one you can comfortably implement. This means your coach should also consider your personal preferences -- whether you like and enjoy access to a pool, for instance -- when coming up with an exercise plan.
Morale
Many people who lose weight regain it, although the 95 percent diet failure rate quoted by authors, researchers and congressmen is not supported by scientific findings. A weight loss challenge coach must be able to motivate clients to stick with their programs and keep their weight down.A good weight loss challenge coach understands that while one person might be motivated by health, another might be motivated by vanity. A weight loss challenge coach should challenge clients without tormenting them and inspire them to create new lifetime habits.
Considerations
Beware of a weight loss challenge coach who promises -- and urges you to achieve -- rapid weight loss. Following a drastic diet can harm your metabolism, making it more likely that you will regain pounds shed. And, more seriously, losing weight too quickly can cause death. You do not need a license or any particular qualifications to call yourself a weight loss challenge coach. So perform due diligence in checking out the background and references of a potential coach.
References
- Weight Control Information Network: Statistics
- Shape Fit: Rapid Weight Loss Deaths
- NineMSN: We Are What We Eat
- International Information on Beauty Care: There is a Perfect Fit Diet For Everyone
- Net Nutritionist
- "The New York Times"; 95 Percent Regain Lost Weight. Or Do They? Jane Fritsch; May 25 1999
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