By Sara D. Peach, MSW, LCSW, DAPA
Introduction
Obesity and overweight have become a national epidemic, with over half the country’s population struggling with weight and food issues. While Weight Watchers and Overeaters Anonymous have been around a long time and have helped millions, there is clearly a need for more assistance. Some people with weight problems need greater support to focus on the deeper issues that drive overeating and the resulting weight gain and health concerns. This is the purpose of lifestyle change counseling.
Q. What is lifestyle change counseling?
Lifestyle change counseling is supportive counseling that helps clients with weight and health problems improve their wellbeing through behavior change. Supportive counseling means helping a client see not only what they are doing that does not work but why they are doing it. The counselor helps guide the client toward possible changes that can be tried in order to choose more effective behaviors. It also incorporates a focus on the habits, thoughts, motivations, and beliefs of clients to increase their awareness of how they think and act about food and health. There is also lots of feedback to the client, reinforcement for their successes, and a consistent positive approach to all that the client is doing.
Q. How is it different from life coaching?
Lifestyle change counseling goes to a deeper level with clients than coaching. The support of lifestyle change counseling involves defining objectives, setting goals, encouraging action, and evaluating the results. More than that, it examines feelings, thought processes, and possible conflicting motives that contribute to feeling stuck or unable to make a change, then works toward changing the underlying thoughts and emotions.
Q. What are the main concepts of lifestyle change counseling?
Lifestyle change counseling is based on the three primary practices of monitoring, exercise, and support. These are the highest correlated behaviors for long-term success with weight loss and health maintenance. Monitoring is keeping track of behavior with some type of written record, such as food eaten or exercise done. Exercise entails working up to and sustaining a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week (total of 150 minutes per week). Support includes all those people and things that help keep a health program going, such as a personal trainer, self-help books, exercise equipment, grocery lists and food delivery services, medical doctor, counselor, massage therapist, or nutritionist.
These three major practices (monitoring, exercise, support) are tied together by making use of planning, which provides the necessary structure; and stress management, which is essential for anyone going through significant change. Many people with weight issues are suffering from overwork, too many responsibilities, and a sense of ongoing chaos and lack of control in their daily lives. Lifestyle change counseling can address these issues while at the same time dealing with the mechanics of getting an exercise program in place or developing a workable monitoring system.
Q. What are lifestyle change counseling sessions like?
Sessions times can vary depending on a person’s preference and needs. First comes a check-in about events since the last contact so successes and problem areas can be explored. Then difficulties are discussed, options are generated and considered, and modifications to goals are made as needed. Throughout this conversation the objective is identifying ways a person can achieve more mastery and direction in his or her life. To do this a lifestyle change counselor will guide the client toward understanding past behavior patterns and creating more positive patterns of behavior. Clients thereby gain a sense of satisfaction and personal accomplishment by managing uncomfortable feelings and letting go of ineffective behaviors, as well as making healthier choices. Functioning is improved through setting goals, creating successes, and experiencing personal empowerment. All these contribute to improved self-esteem and a greater sense of accomplishment.
Q. How long will treatment be necessary?
Some clients find that a few months of supportive counseling is enough to jump start them on the journey of creating a healthy lifestyle for themselves. These are the people who are ready and eager to make the necessary changes. Others may find they need more time, even years, because of underlying beliefs about themselves, low self-esteem, emotional disorders, or a lack of confidence in their ability to be successful. Sometimes clients discover that major parts of their lives, such as a terrible job, an unsupportive spouse, or family demands like caring for elders must be dealt with in order to make room for them to focus on their own life changes. Here too lifestyle change counseling can help guide the client into making choices that will work better for them in the bigger picture of their total life experience.
Q. What kind of progress should clients expect?
Some people make rapid progress, especially at the beginning when they are motivated, ready, and eager to see results. Others can expect to see a slowdown later on in absolute weight lost over time, because the closer one gets to goal weight, the slower it comes off. Some clients also might experience a decline in motivation, when progress seems to be at a standstill. With continued support and diligence, these lulls are temporary and have no lasting effect. Occasionally someone will suffer a setback due to illness or injury, in which case modifications in goals and ways to measure success are called for. Another important aspect of lifestyle change is recognizing that this is for life, that changes need to be permanent, and habits need to be modified for good. These ideas often need to be revisited on a regular basis. It truly is about changing your life.
Q. Will health insurance cover the expense of the treatment?
Check approved providers for the mental health portion of your insurance plan. If your plan does not have a mental health benefit, or if a lifestyle change counselor is not on that provider panel, costs would be the responsibility of the client.
Conclusion
When a person struggles with overweight or overeating problems, or has been diagnosed with obesity, lifestyle change counseling can provide some of the answers. With the support of a dedicated counselor, one familiar with the working concepts and effective strategies, and who offers an accepting and positive approach, a person can make the changes to habits and thinking that has him or her to a less than healthy state. Consider what there is to to lose—and gain—by choosing a lifestyle change counselor today.
