Weight Loss Coach: How to Find One & How It Works

If you’ve been living with obesity or overweight, you may have tried many times over to shed some of the unwanted pounds. If that’s the case, you know how challenging it can be to lose weight on your own. 

Weight loss isn’t really about willpower. It’s about understanding your own biology and taking strategic action to make lifestyle changes that are sustainable for the long haul. In order to understand what changes will be most impactful for you as an individual—a person with unique genetics, medical history, and day-to-day responsibilities—it can be incredibly helpful to partner with a weight loss coach.

When you hear the term “weight loss coach,” you might have a mixed reaction. The definition seems pretty obvious: It’s someone who coaches others on how to lose weight. But what is a weight loss coach, really? Does someone need a certain education or set of credentials in order to call themselves a weight loss coach? Do they always operate within a broader weight loss program? And how can you tell the difference between a knowledgeable expert and someone who’s underqualified?

Read on to learn how to choose a great weight loss coach, how weight loss coaching works, and what sets the Calibrate program apart. 

What does a weight loss coach do?

A weight loss coach, also known as a “weight management specialist,” is someone who applies personal coaching techniques to bring about long term weight loss. This is the broadest definition of the term, but different organizations that offer coaching accreditation have their own, more specific definitions. 

The key thing to remember is that there is no universal standard for the type of training or expertise a weight loss coach must have in the United States. That’s why it’s so important to do your research when considering working with one and, if possible, identify exactly what area—i.e. food and nutrition, exercise, sleep, or psychology—you feel you most need support to reach your weight loss goals. Different coaches will have different specialties or areas of expertise. 

Beyond providing practical advice, one of the most valuable things that a weight loss coach can do is to keep you on track and accountable when life starts to get in the way. By maintaining regular meetings with a coach, you’ll be less likely to fall back into old habits or patterns when the stressors of work, family, or relationships rear their heads—as they inevitably will. 

A skilled weight loss coach will not only help you find ways to stick to healthier food choices and maintain your exercise routine (or provide new workouts) during periods of stress or fatigue, but they’ll also help you reframe negative thought patterns, engage in healthier inner dialogue, and improve your self-image. After all, losing weight is a challenging and emotional process. The personalized support of a coach can make all the difference when the going gets tough. 

How does weight loss coaching work? 

How does coaching work, exactly? Usually, a weight loss coach will set up recurring sessions on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis depending on your schedule and the level of support you desire. 

Coaching might be done in person or virtually. In this day and age, many clients find that virtual coaching is more convenient and removes some of the hurdles in maintaining a regular meeting schedule. The good news is that both modes are effective: In fact, a 2017 study found that a 16-week e-coaching program resulted in “significant improvement in dietary habits and favorable clinical and laboratory changes” in study participants with abdominal obesity and type 2 diabetes. 

When you join Calibrate,  you’ll be matched with a coach who will keep you accountable to the goals you set. They’ll act as your cheerleaders and accountability partners, celebrating your successes and helping you keep your commitments. With their guidance, you’ll be empowered to find solutions to challenges and create a new day-to-day that’s sustainable and enjoyable. 

Your coach will help you learn and comprehend Calibrate’s Four Pillars of Metabolic Health: food, exercise, sleep, and emotional health. They’ll work with you on: 

• Incorporating healthy eating habits into your daily routine. Calibrate is not a diet plan;  there is no calorie counting or specific meal plan within the curriculum. Instead, you'll learn how to minimize fast-digesting carbohydrates and replace them with healthy proteins and fats. 
• Building healthy habits around sleep, including improvements to your sleep hygiene. 
• Finding ways to exercise that you genuinely enjoy and selecting workouts based on your fitness level. 
• Improving emotional health, which creates a direct positive impact on overall health. 

You’ll meet with your coach over 15-minute video sessions every other week. In addition to coaching, you’ll work with your Calibrate Medical Team to monitor progress and gain unlimited access to an in-depth curriculum designed by our Expert Council and Clinical Advisory Board. The curriculum provides evidence-based, intensive lifestyle intervention that will boost the effectiveness of your GLP-1 medication and help you reach your weight loss goals.

What training or certifications should a weight loss coach have? 

Weight loss coaches differ from registered dietitians, licensed mental health counselors, and nutritionists. To become a weight loss coach, you don’t need to undergo the same education, registration, or licensing that the aforementioned titles must. However, some weight loss coaches may happen to also have these credentials and might provide weight loss coaching as an additional service. 

What about the coaches at Calibrate? Calibrate accountability coaches come from a number of different backgrounds—including public health, psychology, education, and nutrition—and therefore have a number of different certifications and qualifications. 

Regardless of an accountability coach’s prior experience, all coaches complete a rigorous training program in order to receive a Calibrate Coaching Certification prior to being able to meet with any of our members.

Members frequently share positive feedback about the impact that their accountability coach has had on their progress through their bi-weekly coaching sessions. We’d encourage you to check out our Google Reviews and member testimonials to see this for yourself.

How much does a weight loss coach cost? 

According to Wellpreneur.com, the average health coach rates range between $200 and $500 per month. The exact cost will depend on how frequently you meet with your coach, how long each meeting or session runs, and your coach’s level of experience. 

Calibrate costs $199/month.

In addition to biweekly 1:1 coaching sessions, the Calibrate Metabolic Reset includes a comprehensive health intake and assessment by a Calibrate clinician, ongoing medical care provided by the Calibrate Medical Team, an in-depth curriculum designed to help you make sustainable changes and exclusive member events. You’ll also receive a free welcome kit which includes a smart scale and interactive app that tracks your progress.

How do I find a good weight loss coach?

Finding a weight loss coach who has the skills, knowledge, and experience to help you reach your goals (and embrace a healthy lifestyle while you're at it) can be challenging. A quick Google search for weight loss coaches near you will reveal hundreds of results, some more relevant than others. 

Before you start contacting multiple coaches or programs, do some research on their website. Take a look at the services they provide and learn as much as you can about what to expect from coaching. 

The following questions will help you narrow down your search and find the right weight loss coach for you as an individual: 

• What sort of training or expertise do they have? Do these areas align with your goals?
• Are they qualified to provide nutrition counseling or workout routines?
• Are their methods based in science and medical research? 
• Do they have reviews or testimonials listed on their website? If not, don’t be afraid to ask if they have any references
• Do their rates fit within your budget? 

The Calibrate approach to weight loss is rooted in biology and puts metabolic health at the center of every effort—not just the number on the scale. Our program is designed to help you make small tweaks to your food, exercise, sleep, and emotional health habits that are easy to sustain, no matter what life throws at you. 

You’ll gain confidence implementing these steps by setting goals with your coaching team and tracking your progress in the Calibrate app. Over time, these gradual changes add up to clinically-proven, sustainable, and impactful new behaviors. Our members lose, on average, 18% of their body weight and learn how to keep it off. Learn more.

Ready to get started? Find out if you’re eligible today. 

Key takeaways

• A weight loss coach is someone who applies personal coaching techniques to bring about long term weight loss (but they are not the same as a certified personal trainer, licensed mental health counselor, or nutritionist)
• The Calibrate Metabolic Reset includes 1:1 coaching in 15-minute sessions held every other week, as well as your initial Metabolic Health Assessment, clinician-prescribed GLP-1 medication, and an interactive app to track your progress
• While the average cost for weight loss coaching ranges from $200 to $500 per month, the Calibrate Metabolic Reset comes out to about $199 per month
• There are no standard credentials or requirements for weight loss coaches in the United States—so, when searching for a coach, do plenty of research to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to help you reach your goals
• All Calibrate coaches must complete a rigorous training program in order to receive a Calibrate Coaching Certification prior to being able to meet with any of our members

Have more questions? Reach out to hello@joincalibrate.com or our support team in our app.