Losing weight can be tough for even the most dedicated dieters, which is why so many people turn to others for help. But knowing you could use some guidance and actually knowing who to turn to are two totally different things.
There are plenty of professionals who say they can help you lose weight—so how are you supposed to know which is right for you? Since weight loss is so individual, who you use to help you drop pounds is, too. Some people do great with guidance from a nutritionist, for example, while others do better with the help of a personal trainer.
(Looking for nutritious meals to fuel your run? Try the Runner’s World Cookbook.)
Here are some of the main types of people who can help you lose weight, plus what they actually do to get you to your goal.
but doesn’t have the education to back it up.
Figuring out Running Shoes - Gear can be tough, especially if you’ve tried to eat healthier and are struggling. Enter a nutritionist: They can help you figure out ways to eat the things you like while loading up on good-for-you foods. Nutritionists can also help you find the eating habits that are tripping you up, so you can avoid them in the future, says Peter LePort, M.D., medical director of MemorialCare Center for Obesity at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif. Look for someone who actually has credentials, like a R.D.N, or an R.D. rather than someone who calls themselves a nutritionist but doesn’t have the education to back it up.
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Life coaches aren’t therapists but they do try to help people reach personal goals, including losing weight. Given that weight loss is often something people struggle with, life coaches can help people figure out why they haven’t been able to achieve it and Think of a. (However, you should go to your nutritionist for eating plans and specific diet or health advice.) “This isn't necessarily for everyone who wants to lose weight but a life coach can help you stay on track and keep with your goals,” LePort says. Life coaches don’t necessarily require credentials but the International Coach Federation is considered the leading professional organization for coaching. Ideally, you want someone who is accredited by them.
Dietary habits are often mental, and a psychologist or psychiatrist can help patients figure out why their bad habits exist—and steps to fix them. They can also help pinpoint the emotions behind a person’s eating habits and why there’s a link. “Therapists can be very helpful for somebody who has an obsession with food or who is solving their anxiety problems by eating,” LePort says. Look for someone with the credentials Ph.D., M.D., Psy.D., or L.C.S.W. to be sure they’re licensed.
Hypnotherapists use guided relaxation and focused attention to help people reach a trance. While they’re in it, other things happening around the patient are temporarily ignored. Unfortunately, the Mayo Clinic points out that this isn’t a super-effective method of weight loss—research has only found that people who undergo hypnosis have slight weight loss. The effect of hypnotherapy is also temporary, LePort points out, so it’s unlikely to help you in the long term. Still, some people swear by it. If you’re interested, look for someone who is a certified hypnotherapist.
The Benefits of Pea Protein for Runners personal trainer as your go-to guide for exercise. If you’re already eating well but aren’t exercising as much as you should, feel like you’ve hit a plateau, or don’t know how to push yourself, a personal trainer can help. “Personal trainers are great for helping people stay on track,” LePort says. You’ll want someone who is a certified personal trainer with credentials like C.S.C.S. or C.P.T. through a group like the American Council on Exercise or the National Academy of Sports Medicine, rather than someone who just says they’re a trainer.
RELATED: The Advice My Trainer Gave Me That Helped Me Lose 80 Pounds in One Year
Obesity medicine specialists are trained to deal with obesity and health conditions related to obesity. They help people lose weight and keep it off, but typically focus on people who actually meet the BMI criteria for obesity—not just someone who wants to drop five pounds. Obesity medicine specialists can help people stay on track and can also help determine if weight-loss surgery would be helpful for overall health, LePort says. Obesity medicine specialists are certified, so look for someone who is credentialed by the American Board of Obesity Medicine
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