There are numerous diets and weight-loss plans out there. You can find anything—from eating only what your spiritual guide tells you to consuming massive quantities of tasteless and chemical-laden powder instead of real food. I talk with a lot of people, men and women, that want me to “tell them the right foods to eat.” While I have personal opinions and I know what works for me, I can’t tell anyone the best way to maintain their ideal body weight. And neither can anyone else.

In Biochemical Individuality by Dr. Roger Williams, he explains that everyone’s body and internal chemistry is different so there isn’t really an ideal diet. While genetics play a role in how we process nutrients, so do our environment and the foods we eat. A low fat diet may help some lose weight while for others it will cause weight gain. One person may need more protein than someone else to obtain the best body composition. Often, losing weight isn’t as simple as “calories in less than calories out.” It’s important that you be open to individual research, experimentation and discovery to find what method of eating is going to bring you optimal health and satisfaction.

When you try out a new eating plan, keep track of the following for 30 days or so:

• What appeals to you about this way of eating?
• What was your energy level like while you were on this plan?
• Was the plan easy to follow? Did you skip it more than you stuck to it?
• How successful were you in losing (or maintaining) weight?
• How easily will this be sustained? (Consider both cost and your satisfaction.)
• How do you feel about telling others about this way of eating?

Without a plan, you can easily falter and return to old habits. Have you ever been frustrated with your attempt to change your behavior and not really had anyone to support you? When things get tough, do you tend to get lazy and give up? Having someone hold you accountable might be just what you need to put your plan into action and achieve your goals.

A coach can help you develop a plan and will provide the support and accountability needed during this learning process. A coach won’t tell you how to eat. Instead, they’ll work with you to use your own knowledge and ability to learn to find the option that works best for you and that will lead to a lifetime of healthy eating.

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