Coaching people on the path to improved health is an interesting and rewarding experience. Each client presents with their own unique combination of history, physiological circumstances, lifestyle habits and preferences. No two clients are alike, so I feel a little like Mr. Dressup going into my tickle trunk of natural health modalities to pick and choose what will work best in each situation. People who work with me are familiar with my excited expression of “I'm getting goose bumps!” - my common reaction when a client shares positive feedback about their health improvements. I am as invested in their health goals as they are.
A lot of my clients come to me seeking assistance with weight loss. I so enjoy sharing the journey of weight loss with a client and being along for the ride of physical and emotional transformation that occurs. A challenge with coaching someone in weight loss is gaining their time commitment to the process so that they achieve the results I know they are capable of. All too often, people give up prematurely, frustrated with the sometimes lengthy process. What they deny themselves, and their bodies, is the experience of the many “shifts” that occur during the weight loss process. These “shifts” are the body's response to the release of fat and the toxins stored therein: it is a gradual process of the body finding a new, healthy equilibrium where organs and processes are able to function as intended. The body is working 24 hours a day to keep the body in a state of equilibrium and optimal health. This becomes difficult if the body is regularly taxed with too much fat and toxicity. The body's reaction to the adoption of a healthier lifestyle takes time: some changes occur immediately while others may happen months down the road. It differs with each person. Therefore patience on the part of the client is required. But the rewards of being patient are tremendous.
I have one client in particular who is a wonderful illustration of the results of being patient with one's body during the weight loss process. Over the course of 10 weeks, she has released a total of 30.5 inches. (I focus on release of inches instead of pounds because the inches represent the release of unhealthy toxins and fat stores.) Her results are impressive and are the result of her steadfast commitment to follow the weight loss program and get through the highs of weight loss and the occasional lows of some discomfort as her body shifts into its new form. Her commitment to both herself and the program make it such a rewarding experience to coach her. She is available for the coaching call appointments and measures herself on the agreed upon dates. She is open to advice and shares important information that I need to know to suggest changes as we go along. But above all, she understands that her body needs time to adjust and work through the release of the excess fat. She sent me an email recently sharing an unexpected “shift” she had experienced: “One thing I noticed is that my memory is so much better. I find I am remembering things very well and that I do not need to write reminder notes. I use to be like this in high school and during my undergrad.”
The body is a miraculous thing – thousands of processes are occurring in each moment that we are not aware of. So this can make it difficult to be patient with a weight loss program when we are perhaps less than impressed with ourselves naked or desperately want to fit into our old jeans. Be patient! Losing weight is not just about the end result. It is about the journey along the way. It is about reconnecting with your healthier body. It is about rediscovering yourself. And it is about giving yourself the time and space to become the person you want to be... whatever that looks and feels like for you.
