Weight loss is not just a physical journey; it’s a mental and emotional one too. In my experience, the clients who are most successful at losing weight are the ones willing to look inward and understand themselves—their habits, their relationship with food, and their emotional triggers. Self-awareness is key to lasting change. Let me take you through what to expect when you truly get to know yourself during your weight loss journey and how I guide my clients through this process.
Understanding Your Relationship with Food
One of the first steps in this journey is recognizing how your emotions and stress levels influence your eating habits. For example, I had a client who discovered that every time she felt stressed, she would overeat or drive through fast food to make herself feel better. Once we identified this, we started working on strategies to manage her stress in healthier ways, and she saw great progress.
On a personal note, I’ve noticed that when I’m stressed, I lose my appetite, which leaves me feeling tired and unfocused. My productivity dips, and I struggle to engage with my family and stay active. Over time, I’ve learned to take a step back when this happens and ask myself, “What’s stressing me out?” Once I address the root cause, my appetite returns, and I feel more balanced.
Self-Awareness Leads to Lasting Change
Clients who are open to exploring their relationship with food, without judgment or shame, are often more successful. When you’re curious about why you’ve gained weight or why certain habits persist, you’re more likely to make meaningful changes. It’s not just about the food itself—awareness brings change.
I always tell my clients that weight loss is a mental game. It’s easy to lose weight if you’re willing to get to know yourself and your habits. But sometimes, people just want the weight off without facing the underlying issues. The clients who take the time to understand their habits and patterns find the process of losing weight easier and more sustainable.
The Phases of Self-Discovery in Weight Loss
During the weight loss journey, clients often go through different phases of self-discovery:
- Initial Realization:
Clients are often surprised at how easily they start losing weight in the beginning. Many wonder why they didn’t start sooner. At this stage, they start to understand how their past habits have contributed to their weight gain. - Dealing with Setbacks:
Eventually, weight loss slows or stalls. How clients handle this phase reveals a lot about their mindset. Do they blame external factors, or do they look inward to find solutions? This is often when clients need the most support and encouragement. - Sabotage and Self-Sabotage:
Another phase is when clients face sabotage—either from themselves or from others, like a spouse or family member. Recognizing these dynamics is crucial. Clients who learn how to navigate these challenges stay on track. - Body Image and Acceptance:
Some clients struggle to see the progress they’re making, focusing only on imperfections. Helping them see and celebrate their successes is important in keeping them motivated. - Handling Loose Skin and Muscle Gain:
As clients lose weight, they often have to deal with excess skin or changes in body composition. The number on the scale may not reflect their progress accurately. I guide them in understanding that weight isn’t the only measure of success—it’s about how they feel and function.
Setting Goals and Staying Accountable
When I start working with a new client, the first step is to see if they’re ready for this journey of self-discovery. I make sure we’re aligned by having them fill out a questionnaire. If they have the time, energy, and financial resources to invest in themselves, we get started.
Most clients are eager to jump in, wanting to tackle everything at once—logging food, exercising, creating a meal plan, and more. But I take a different approach. Each session, we focus on one goal that I can hold them accountable to. Usually, we start with food logging because many clients underestimate how much they eat or snack throughout the day. Once they see their eating patterns, we make gradual adjustments.
How I Help Clients Through Their Journey
Over the course of my six-month program, I guide clients through each phase of their journey, ensuring they stay motivated and focused. We start with nutrition education, learning about macronutrients and how they impact weight. From there, we move into mindset shifts as clients begin to notice different aspects of themselves.
One of the biggest roadblocks I’ve seen is when clients fixate on the number on the scale, tying their self-worth to it. I help them understand what’s really behind those numbers—whether it’s muscle gain, fluid retention, or actual fat loss. This often helps them overcome mental roadblocks.
For instance, one of my clients would always drive through fast food when stressed, followed by eating chips because she loved the crunch. After tracking her habits, we realized she wasn’t eating breakfast or lunch, which left her starving by the afternoon. We introduced healthier snacks like cucumbers and carrots to satisfy her craving for crunch, and the weight started falling off. She learned to manage her stress without turning to food, which was a major breakthrough.
The Journey Never Ends
The clients who finish my program don’t just lose weight—they gain lifelong skills. They understand how food works with their bodies, how stress influences their eating habits, and how to maintain their progress. I always tell them, never give up on yourself. The road may not always be smooth, but it will always be memorable.
Weight loss is more than just following a plan—it’s about truly getting to know yourself. The more you understand your triggers, your habits, and your relationship with food, the more empowered you’ll be to make lasting changes. This journey is yours, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.