Here are some questions and answers about my weight loss coaching program.
Is this a scam?
Feel free to get in touch and I can provide you a list of client references where you can discuss their coaching experience.
If you need further confirmation, I’m happy to set up a Skype call to verify who I am.
I’ve tried so many diets before and have always regained the weight. Will this happen again?
Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of awful information out there on how to lose weight. Generally the reason people regain weight is due to severe metabolic suppression associated with really low-calorie dieting and/or going back to their old ways because the diet they were following was too restrictive.
My plans are customised and I do my best to ensure each client is eating as much food as possible while progressing to keep metabolism healthy and elevated. This is the best strategy for long-term sustainable results. I also try to imprint new lifestyle and dietary habits for life so you can take them with you and not return to old habits.
Do I have to be a member of a gym to work with you?
No. As long as you have a kitchen and a pair of shoes to do your cardio when needed, you will be fine. The fat loss really is a matter of diet more than anything else.
Will I have to weigh my food?
Yes, because I do my best to ensure every client eats as much as possible to keep their metabolism healthy. Food does need to be weighed so we can monitor and make subtle adjustments when needed.
Oftentimes the smallest of diet adjustments can break a plateau and yield several weeks’ more progress. This can’t be done if you’re guessing portions.
Weight loss plans that don’t have you weigh your food can do so because generally they will grossly undershoot your daily calorie needs to ensure weight loss does occur fast. This keeps the ignorant consumer happy temporarily. The issue there is that, when you hit a fat loss plateau with still a lot of weight to lose and you’re already eating very little, there is nowhere for you to go with your calories to facilitate further fat loss.
Weigh your food so we can keep your food intake as high as possible. Once you’re at your goal, you can go back to eyeballing portion sizes as you will be better equipped to gauge it accurately.
How much exercise is required?
Everyone is different in their goals, deadline and individual response. Generally speaking, I always try to get the most out of the least amount of cardio. I try to keep the cardio as low as possible while progressing, which then gives us room to gradually increase it when we run into plateaus.
Most clients will start with zero to three days per week for 30 minutes. Towards the later stages, clients can be doing as much as four to five sessions of 30 to 60 minutes weekly. There is no set answer here.
I’m gluten intolerant. Do you cater for this?
That’s fine, we can avoid it. I cater for any food allergies.
Do you work with vegetarians?
Yes.
Can we work together if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
No, undergoing caloric restriction when you’re eating for two isn’t the best idea — let’s attack it together at a later date. Take care of your baby first.
Do you provide me with a weight-training plan?
I don’t write weight-training plans. Instead I take care of all the nutrition and cardio planning.
I currently have a personal trainer. How would this work?
Keep up all of your in-gym weight training with your personal trainer. I will need control over your cardio component though.
I love carbs! Do I need to cut out all of my carbs?
I like to start with as many carbs in a diet as possible while progressing. Calories will be reduced or increased on an as-needed basis.
Will I be hungry?
From what clients tell me, my plans are very satiating and filling. Usually the complaint is that they are too full. Some hunger will creep in as body fat levels get lower, but I have tricks to minimise the discomfort when that happens.
Can you work with me to shed the weight fast for a few weeks before I go on holidays?
12 weeks is the minimum amount of time I will work with someone generally as I don’t believe in crash dieting. I’d rather do it slow and steady while keeping the metabolism healthy to avoid fat regain.
Most client before and after photos you see on my site were taken over a timeframe of 16 to 30 weeks — sometimes even longer.
I want to compete in a figure show. Can you help?
Yes, I work with a wide variety of clients including competitors.
How much body fat will I lose on your plan?
However much you desire. I can get you mildly toned or ripped — whatever your goal is, we will hit it.
Do you work with children?
Children need to focus on being children. Get them off the computer and iPads and into sports or something where they are active. Less sugary drinks will help too. Once they are 18 we can work together.
I’m embarrassed to take photos and send them to you. Do I have to?
Using photos is the best gauge of true progress over time as often scales can lie. I’ve been doing this a long time now and have seen many many client pics. The photos you send me are kept between you and me and nothing is posted online without your consent.
I’ve worked with an online nutrition coach previously and didn’t see good results. How will this be different?
I take immense pride in what I do and hopefully that shines through with the client before-and-after photos that you see on this site. I think some online coaches haven’t truly mastered their craft yet and spend too much time on their marketing instead of furthering their skill set first.
Maybe they were always naturally lean themselves and have never really had to figure out how to solve problems when they run into them with clients. I was an overweight child and I’m very much a natural endomorph. I had to really figure the game out and didn’t get to rely on a stellar metabolism or great genetics for staying lean like some.
