I was doing some research on Google keywords the other day and a common one was ‘Can a Nutritionist help me lose weight?’. To be honest, I was a little bit shocked that this was a question, because I initially thought ‘Of course we can!’. So that’s the reason for this blog post, a bit more information on how we can help with weight loss and the areas also, in which we can’t.

Can a Nutritionist help me lose weight? Yes.

I believe if you’re looking to lose weight, there’s no one better to see. A Nutritionist (like myself!) will help you develop a tailored plan to suit your needs. The best part? Weight loss you achieve with dietary and lifestyle changes are likely to be more sustainable. Even better, losing weight slower and more sustainably, will help avoid rapid weight regain. As Nutritionist’s we also have your long-term health in mind. I give advice that helps you maintain as much lean muscle mass as possible while you’re losing weight, instead of losing body fat AND muscle mass.

I can hear you yelling at the screen asking what things would a Nutritionist tell you to do? Good question. We would give advice around protein intake and timing, carbohydrate intake and timing, possibly a calorie number to aim for (based on your individual needs), exercise type and duration advice, PLUS lifestyle changes to address other things that affect your weight like stress and sleep.

Can a Nutritionist help me lose weight? No.

At the end of the day, a Nutritionist like myself can only give you the guidance, advice and direction on what to do in order to lose weight. But we aren’t the ones making the changes – you are. So yes we can help you, but you are the only one really in control. I won’t be there every morning to make sure you have breakfast or get out for that brisk walk, only you can do that. I’ve had many clients come in to their follow-up appointment, disappointed that they haven’t made the progress they were hoping for. My initial thought is ‘Gosh, I’ve failed them’, but as we dig deeper, it becomes apparent that they haven’t made the changes we discussed. Part of my job is helping you create habits, making them feel easy so then the change feels easy. But again, I can’t actually make the changes, only YOU can do that.

So my answer to the question ‘can a Nutritionist help me lose weight?’. My answer is a loud YES, but remember, you have to do the work too, we can’t actually make the changes for you.

If you need support with weight loss, my signature group program, Weighing in Lighter is now open for our next intake starting January 2024. We meet for 1 hour every week over Zoom where I give you the tools to manage your weight for the rest of your life. Don’t delay as I only open 15 spots for each intake, so register now.