Surprise! Recent studies have concluded that unsolicited advice does not help you lose weight:
Motivational interviewing is an approach that enlists patients’ own drive for change, and emphasizes that change can come only from the patient, not from the doctor. It accepts patients’ weaknesses, praises success and puts the doctor and patient in a collaborative effort.
A nonmotivational talk, by contrast, typically includes confronting, judging, persuading and offering advice without having been asked for it.
When you meet Ali Brody for a free health consultation at the Rocket Cat café, she's remarkably free of irritating advice. She's got that elusive quality of charm; she asks questions and listens, making the occasional note. You may find yourself talking for thirty minutes without drawing breath.
That's fine with Ali. She loves what she does, which is coaching people on how do to what's good for them in a way that works.
"If I suggest something and my client isn't excited about doing it, we throw it out the window," she remarks. She takes her time getting a comprehensive picture of your life, your needs and your health concerns, then maps out a plan for small adjustments which can lead to big transformations.
Instead of telling you, for example, that sugar is bad for you, she asks you what you crave. If you're craving sweetness, maybe what you need is intimacy, or more time with friends, or a nap. When you get more of what's good for you, the bad stuff falls away.
Ali meets with her clients twice a month, in person or via Skype, exchanges emails between meetings, and often brings them gifts. Although she has a formidable background in nutrition and counseling, she does not come across as 'holier than thou'; you get the feeling that she's delighted to have the privilege of working with you.
And her approach is successful. Her client roster is nearly full, and every one of them reports major transformations within a few months.
Not everybody needs or can afford a personal health coach, but if you're considering one, Ali is one of the best. Her website may be found at Healthyglow.org; sign up for a free consultation, and tell her that Stephanie sent you.
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