Unfortunately, the world of online personal coaching is vastly unregulated. Whereas doctors have to pass board exams, and lawyers have to pass bar exams, there are no qualifying exams for someone to consider themselves a weight loss coach. That means that Joe-Schmo down the street can buy a Groupon for an online weight loss course, and call themselves a weight loss coach upon completing it. Yikes! Let’s walk through some things to consider before hiring a weight loss coach. 

Education, Qualifications, and Experience

When it comes to making a decision about who to hire for online personal coaching, be sure that the coach that you choose is educated, and has the proper certifications AND experience to help you reach your goals. Like I mentioned earlier, anyone can call themselves an online coach. Here are some questions you can ask to ensure the coach you choose is properly educated:

• Does the coach have a college degree in their zone of expertise? Or, do they have current certifications from certified agencies in their zone of expertise? Do your own research - are these institutions trusted by others? 

• Does the coach participate in any continuing education seminars or courses? If so, how often? 

In addition to learning about a coach's education, it’s important to learn about the coach's experience in terms of helping clients achieve their goals. Some of the best coaches have advanced degrees from highly respected institutions, but if they can’t connect with clients and help trailblaze through roadblocks so that the clients achieve their goals, they probably aren’t the best coach for you. Here are some questions you can ask a potential coach to learn more about their experience:

• Does the coach have experience helping clients whose lives may be similar to yours get results? 

• How long have you been coaching? 

• Does the coach have testimonials from previous clients to share?

Personalized Approach

Does the coach tailor their program to your specific preferences, needs, and life? Or does the coach offer a one-size-fits-all approach? 

The best health coaches for weight loss will create a customized program based on your body, your goals, and your life. Generic, one-size-fits-all programs don’t tend to work for the long-term for most people. Here are some questions you can ask a potential coach to learn more about whether their program is more customized or more generic: 

• How does your program take my own personal needs and goals into account?

• Do you make adjustments to my own program depending on the results that I’m achieving? 

• Can you share a bit about the experiences that you have working with clients with different backgrounds?

Program Details and Methods

You know yourself best, and chances are that you know what you need in order to be successful to lose weight. If you’re someone who hates logging calories, then a program that requires you to log all of your food in a tracking app might not be the best fit for you. In a similar way, if you’re someone who hates using apps and text messaging, then an accountability coach online may not be the right fit for you. Be honest with yourself about what you feel you need to be best successful on your weight loss journey. 

Another consideration to keep in mind is the methodology that the coaching program utilizes. Be sure to choose a coach who relies on scientifically proven strategies, instead of one who promotes fad diets, crazy supplements, or quick-fix gimmicks. Don’t be afraid to get curious – you deserve to understand the methodologies and research behind all online personal coaching practices. 

Online Coaching Styles and Personalities

One last thing to consider before hiring a health coach who specializes in weight loss is the coach’s unique style and personality. Are your own personal values in alignment with what they offer and how the coach lives their life? Does the coach practice what they preach? Do you enjoy talking to the online weight loss coach, and do your personalities seem to mesh together? Does the thought of working closely with this coach and opening up about potential challenges excite you? 

One piece of advice to keep in mind – whichever personal weight loss coach you choose to work with, I guarantee that they can’t read your mind. Commit to being honest with your coach and sharing feedback with them that might help you be more successful. For example, if you are a person who needs some tough love to be successful, share that with your coach! Or, on the flip side, if you’re someone who is very self-critical and you tend to quickly beat yourself up, share this with your coach so that they can provide a bit more love and compassion on your journey. As I’ve already mentioned numerous times, YOU know yourself better than anyone else. Be honest with your coach about the type of authentic support that you need to be best successful. 
When you put all of these together, the best online personal coaching program is the one that’s going to help you reach your goals and learn how to sustain those goals, long-term.