How Long Should I Work With a Weight Loss Coach?

A common theme for those looking to improve their health is feeling like they are just too busy to fit proper diet and exercise into their routine.

Time is essential to all of us. 

When it comes to something so precious, wisely spending your time is always at the top of our minds— especially in a world where everything moves fast.

Great things, however, cannot be rushed.

Good health is one of those great things; without good health, your time will be limited.

So it comes full circle; when it comes to your health, it's not about having time–it's about making time.

At OnPoint Nutrition, we have helped more than 3,000 clients identify their needs and find their ideal weight loss coach. Our goal is to clarify the nuance of your health journey and help you to travel a sustainable path to better health.

You break down years of bad habits when you develop new habits and a healthy routine. Before you say that you have genuinely changed, you must address the things that put you where you started your journey.

As you can imagine, this process takes–you guessed it–time.

Okay, then you might wonder how long does it take to become the healthiest version of yourself? 

How long you will work with a weight loss coach will depend on several factors specific to each individual. 

Pull up a chair, and we will dive into what to look at so you know how long you can expect to work with your weight loss coach.

Determining Your Weight Loss Timeline 

Every weight loss journey is different. 

There are many contributing factors as to why you started. 

There are probably just as many that will determine where you are going and how long it will take to get there. 

Some essential factors that will influence your timeline are:

• How much weight are you trying to lose (10 lbs or 100 lbs)
• Current dietary needs and Medical conditions (ex: nursing, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, high blood pressure, PCOS, etc.)
• Lifestyle (you can't seem to find the time to eat right or exercise)

So when it comes to the timeline, you must consider your circumstances rather than expecting a cookie-cutter promise of “30 pounds in 30 days” to be your reality.

Each of us has a unique situation and challenges that will influence the time it takes to achieve the goal. 

You may find yourself balancing the intricacies of a medical condition. You may be trying to incorporate more whole foods into your diet or simply find the time to meal plan.  

Your weight loss coach will take the time to speak with you about how you can be successful with your goals based on your reality. 

Weight loss coaching will look a little bit different for each person as a result. You will not be able to waltz into your first session and expect to leave it with a date on the calendar for when that obnoxious 25 pounds will be gone for good.

What Are Your Goals for Working With A Weight Loss Coach?

The first step on the road to success for anything you do is identifying where you are headed. 

With your goals set, you can develop your focus and set your sights on achieving things that will boost your motivation in the long run of your plan. 

How big your goals are will directly relate to how long it takes you to start checking the boxes on your weight loss journey.

Some goals are more straightforward and will take less time to achieve, and others will take more time and effort to overcome.

Some goals you might set for yourself when working with a weight loss coach include:

• Eating a more balanced diet
• Creating a meal plan
• Incorporating healthy snacks into your day
• Adding exercise into your routine
• Achieving an ideal weight

When you set achievable goals with your weight loss coach, you are more likely to find success in your health journey.

These overall health goals will also determine the time you will need to spend with your weight loss coach.

If your goal is adjusting your general meal plan or losing  10 pounds, you will find that you need much less time with a weight loss coach than someone looking to lose 100 pounds or manage the symptoms of a disease.

Managing Symptoms of Chronic Illness

Those who seek a weight loss coach for medical reasons will usually have a greater need to work closely with their coach for longer. 

Weight loss is a powerful tool for managing the symptoms of certain diseases. Still, it also requires close collaboration with someone qualified to advise you on your diet, especially concerning the condition.

Most of the time, small changes in what you consume can significantly impact managing or preventing various health concerns.

Some examples of these ailments are:

• Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes
• High Cholesterol
• Gut Health
• Heart Disease
• High Blood Pressure
• PCOS

When dealing with these conditions, it's best to take the proper steps in your weight loss journey with a professional. 

A tricky condition like diabetes or high blood pressure can be life-threatening if you make uneducated diet changes. 

In these health scenarios, you will need to be mindful of complex and simple sugars, cholesterol, and sodium.

Without the experience of a qualified expert, the changes you make on your own could be more harmful than helpful.

Their expertise is essential in how you will do what is best for you in your situation. 

A great weight loss coach, like a dietitian or nutritionist, is educated in these essential aspects of a healthy diet. They will be able to guide you on the best way to tailor your lifestyle changes and meal plans to meet your needs. 

Your Lifestyle

This one may seem easy, but for many it is really difficult to manage lifestyle changes, because well, life is busy–and that's usually the problem.

We have gotten so used to “the grind”. We live in a very fast paced world and everyone wants everything NOW. 

When life is a whirlwind, you often find yourself whipped right around to dinner time before you even saw it coming. 

Then you realize you have totally skimped on breakfast and, you have missed lunch entirely.

Now, you are STARVING, everything is still FROZEN, and you are staring down the barrel of the nearest drive through.

There are countless reasons this happens:

• Work
• School
• Kids
• Extracurriculars
• Household responsibilities

This all too common problem will definitely be a contributing factor to how long it takes to achieve your health goals. 

The busier our lives are, we often find that we become more set in the trap of feeling there is no point in trying. 

All hope is lost—But it’s not!  

Never fear, that does not mean you will feel trapped forever!

Ideally, when you are working with a coach on your new habits avoiding these problems will become second nature!

A great weight loss coach will help you to create a schedule where you think ahead and more carefully to avoid these mistakes.

Your timeline does not have to be extended because you are too busy to stick with your plan to get your health on track. 

How Long Should You Expect To Work With A Weight Loss Coach?

A weight loss coach works with a client on average from 3-6 months. Though, as you might have guessed by now, there is no one perfect answer for how long you will be working with your weight loss coach. 

You are probably seeking a coach because you have taken the well-traveled roads of weight loss tips and tricks.

You have done the fad diets, maybe seen some results, and plateaued your way right back to where you started.

Once you determine your goals for better health, you can know that any time spent with a great weight loss coach who knows their stuff is time well spent. 

When you examine your medical needs, goals, and lifestyle this allows you to get a good idea of how long you can expect to need the services of a weight loss coach. 

Once you achieve some of those goals you are after, then it comes down to how long you want to maintain the guidance of your weight loss coach.

At OnPoint Nutrition, we have helped more than 3,000 people just like you find the perfect weight loss coach for them, determine their needs, and work out their goals. 

We usually work with our clients for a minimum of 20 weeks, and often our clients stick with us for years. They love the impact the great coaches on our team have on their life and continue with the program to reach new heights.

Spoiler alert–it never gets any easier, but you will become stronger daily. And you will wake up each morning to a new, healthier version of you.