How Do I Do It?

For all my training as a coach and my experience in helping people make changes in their lives, I never really developed was a healthy attitude to food or to my shape. One day I decided to give up struggling with it all and I made the decision to live with my shape and give up the plans, counting, regimes, food exclusions and the all or nothing attitude. I decided to apply the lessons I have learned from my research into the two areas of food and the psychology of emotion, learning, change and motivation.

I no longer think that anyone "out there", including me, has a master plan that will suit everyone. But I do believe that with support, coaching and some practical psychology, you will be able to work out what you need to do to come to terms with your eating, your body and your confidence.

I act as your personal consultant and my goal is to help you discover how to get beyond diets, disgust and deranged and unhelpful eating. I want you to develop confidence in your own ability to know what you need and in your power to achieve what you want.

My personal coaching philosophy

I believe that only you can really know what will work for you. I think there are tricks and techniques that can help you but only you can decide what you want and how you will get there so all my work is collaborative. Every person’s journey is different so I do not believe in one size fits all solutions.

I believe that change is more likely to come about by acting differently in the present rather than by analysing the past. I think it is important to reflect on specific situations, to see how you help or hinder yourself, but this is data to inform future decisions. Change is created by action.

I believe in using your strengths to get you to your goals. This is solution focused coaching and consulting. This makes change easier, more pleasant and more sustainable.

NLP

NLP is a movement that began 40 years ago with the work of Richard Bandler and John Grinder. They began by studying very effective communicators and developed a range of techniques that help people communicate effectively – with themselves as much as with other people. The applications of NLP are very broad and all NLP techniques are very practical (and used by Paul McKenna). I personally use NLP to help people with recruitment, communication, presentations and setting goals as well as weight issues.

EFT

EFT is a very simple technique which involves tapping on acupuncture points. Like NLP it is used for a very wide range of issues. More information is available at www.emofree.com and it is great for reducing anxiety, controlling cravings and weight loss in general.

Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology is a relatively new movement in the field of Paychology. It was started by Martin Seligman and covers a broad range of topics. What they share in common is the focus on what makes people flourish, feel good and lead effective lives. On the face of it there would appear to be some overlaps with the self-help movement but there are significant differences. Positive Psychology is based on serious empirical research rather than anecdotal evidence. This means that the ideas have been proven to work.