Weight Loss Tip # 9: Get a mentor or life coach to assist you with the emotional and spiritual challenges that will be a natural part of your journey toward achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
You will benefit much from having a healthy and balanced person to speak with on a regular basis while you work to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. The person does not have to be a raw foodist or a therapist although a raw foodist or therapist might be helpful. Perhaps you know of someone who has maintained a healthy weight for many years after a period of yo-yo dieting. Maybe you have a spiritual leader who would be willing to meet with you on a regular basis. You might ask your friends if they can recommend a life coach to you.
How often you speak with your mentor or coach will depend upon your needs. As you look for someone to fill this role, be honest with yourself about what you are looking for. Perhaps you want to speak to someone for an hour once a week. Maybe you want to talk to someone every morning on the phone for fifteen minutes. Maybe you want to get together once a month for a few hours. You and your mentor or coach should agree on a basic schedule for meeting before you begin. This way you both will know what to expect.
You will want your coach or mentor to be aware of your dietary commitments and you will ask him or her for support sticking to your commitments. It might be possible for a friend to fill this role. But you will want to be careful with your friends because friends will often tell us what we want to hear — not what we need to hear. Also, it may be difficult to find the structure and regularity you will benefit most from from a friend who is accustomed to a more relaxed and mutual relationship. You want someone who will help you face the challenges that arise as you follow your dietary commitments. You do not want to confide in someone who will enable you by encouraging you to “treat yourself” when you are feeling low. An effective mentor or coach will help you to see that you will feel so much better in the long run if you keep your commitments.
Daily Inspiration:
“By your own soul, learn to live.
If some men force you, take no heed.
If some men hate you, have no care.
Sing your song, dream your dreams
Hope your hopes, and pray your prayers.”