According to recent reports, over 50% of adults in the United States are trying to lose weight, but the majority are not successful. Similar reports show that most people believe they are not successful at losing weight because they do not have the discipline necessary to stick to a diet.
However, within the realm of health and nutrition, it is commonly understood that many of the popular diets are too generalized to work for a broad spectrum of people. There are too many individual factors that impact a person’s ability to lose weight that one size fits all diets simply do not work.
What these types of diets are successful at is making people believe they are incapable of losing weight or simply aren’t trying hard enough. They play on an already altered self-image for people already discouraged and unhappy with their weight, appearance, and how they feel.
As any nutritionist can explain, having a personal health coach is the most successful path to choose when going for a healthier lifestyle or weight loss. This is an or instead of an and because you can choose a healthier lifestyle without weight loss being your primary goal. Everyone can benefit from a healthier lifestyle that will reduce their risk of serious disease and improve their overall quality of life.
A personal health coach will work with you taking your current health and lifestyle into account when creating a life plan that will work for you. They will take into account your shopping options and your work schedule, which may have eliminated your ability to successful participate in traditional diet plans.
Popular weight loss programs depend on a fairly high percentage of people either not being able to stick to it or losing weight that they will quickly gain back if they slack off. This is what keeps them in business. They actively promote the success stories and the ideal that anyone can lose weight with this plan. That lays the groundwork for individuals continuing to follow the plan and pay for services even though they are not working.
Additionally, the culture in the United States promotes the idea that people who are overweight are simply lazy or eat poorly. Diet plans promoting the idea that anyone can lose weight with their plan if they only try plays into the negative cultural views of obesity.
Individualized health plans with health coaches that are knowledgeable and experienced will provide you with the blueprint and resources you need to truly be successful. You can feel good about yourself while improving your overall quality of life.
The health risks associated with being overweight are very real and very serious. In recent years, there has been a surge of anti-fat shaming campaigns designed to lessen the negative perception of being overweight. While the intentions of these campaigns were good, many went so far as to claim that being overweight does not negatively impact your health.
This is a dangerous message to promote since there are very clear health risks. Your personal health coach can review your risk factors and help you create a food plan that is tailored to your specific health needs. While there are general rules of healthy and unhealthy choices, what you should be eating will vary based on your specific health concerns.
While this may seem like a lot of information, developing and maintaining a healthier lifestyle is within your reach. It is possible and important for you and your family to take care of yourself the best way that you can.
