How To Coach Your Friends or Clients To Lose Weight and Optimize Their Health

Creating a strong “big why” or a compelling reason for your coachees to make lasting lifestyle changes is a crucial first step in successful weight loss coaching. Here’s a structured approach for your first coaching session:

Establish Rapport and Trust:
Begin the session by building rapport and trust with your coachee. Take a few moments to get to know them on a personal level and ensure they feel comfortable opening up to you.

Assessment:
Understand your coachee’s current situation, including their weight loss goals, challenges, past experiences, and expectations from the coaching process. Ask open-ended questions to gather information.

Clarify Goals:
Help your coachee articulate specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for their weight loss journey. This helps create a clear vision of what they want to achieve.

Discuss the Importance of the “Big Why”:
Explain the concept of the “big why” to your coachee. It’s the deep-seated reason that will drive them to make changes. It should be emotionally charged, personal, and significant. Share the idea that when the going gets tough, their “big why” will keep them motivated.

Reflective Questioning:
Ask thought-provoking questions to help your coachee discover their “big why.” Here are some questions you can ask:

Why is losing weight important to you?
How would your life be different if you achieved your weight loss goal?
What motivates you to make these changes in your lifestyle?
What would be the emotional, physical, or social benefits of reaching your goal?
Are there any past experiences that have influenced your desire to lose weight?
Encourage Self-Exploration:
Give your coachee time and space to reflect on these questions. Encourage them to delve deep into their emotions, values, and personal history. This self-exploration will help them uncover their true motivations.

Prioritize and Articulate the “Big Why”:
Once your coachee has explored their motivations, help them prioritize and articulate their “big why.” This should be a clear, concise statement that resonates with them on a profound level.

Visualize Success:
Ask your coachee to envision what their life will look like when they’ve achieved their goals. This visualization exercise can help reinforce their “big why” and inspire commitment.

Commitment and Action Plan:
Summarize the discussion and ask your coachee to commit to their “big why” and their goals. Develop an action plan together, outlining the first steps they need to take towards achieving their weight loss objectives.

Set Follow-up and Accountability:
Agree on a follow-up schedule for your coaching sessions and establish a system for accountability. This could involve tracking progress, setting up check-ins, or using tools like food journals and fitness apps.

Provide Encouragement and Support:
Reiterate your commitment to helping your coachee throughout their journey. Encourage them to reach out whenever they face challenges or need guidance.

Close the Session:
End the session on a positive note, expressing confidence in their ability to achieve their goals.