How A Life Coach Can Help With Chocolate Addiction

In my first session with a client we explored what made her realise that her chocolate consumption had become a problem, and the trigger for her to seek help from a Life Coach rather than her Doctor or a nutritionist. She had said that she eats when she feels depressed, she feels unattractive and she is currently unable to find a boyfriend. She claims to be a self confessed chocoholic, but the term itself is almost fashionable, and does not have the negative overtones of claiming to be an alcoholic. This is perhaps a smokescreen for her deeper unhappiness. My focus is on self realisation and how she sees herself, as self esteem is involved here.

These are the basic steps for her to work on over the following 6 weeks of our coaching relationship which I have adapted from a standard 12 step program:

1.Admit to having a problem with chocolate

2. Realise that the power that chocolate has over her is biochemical in nature, but may also be a result of social conditioning

3.Analyse when cravings are strongest – is she angry, stressed, bored or premenstrual?

4.Accept that whatever the reason for the cravings, consuming larger amounts of chocolate is not a cure

5.Write a list of all the people affected by her mood swings and bad temperedness.

6. Keep busy until cravings subside by doing something physical – Exercise releases endorphins to counteract stress, anxiety and depression

7.If cravings strike late at night, go to bed instead of reaching for a snack. Eat a banana!

8. Do not allow chocolate into the house. Eat small, regular meals which include protein, whole grains and vegetables.

9.Wean herself off the bad eating habits – the cleaner the body, the less likely you are to crave

10. Treat herself with aromatherapy, a massage or facial to contemplate how good life can be with out chocolate

11. Pursue a worthwhile purpose in life so that her mind is not idle or focused on negative things. Try some voulnteer activities which may also boost social life.
Summary of actions and activities during our coaching discussions-

Week one
– Keep a food diary of everything consumed for next 7 days. – Make appointment with Doctor to check general health and hormone levels

Week two
– What does she want out of life? – Discuss the amended 12 step programme (mine only has 11) – Continue with food diary

Week three
– Begin steps identified in 12 step programme, and commit to taking actions on each. – Visualisation of future outcome
– Investigate local weight loss and fitness programmes
– Develop the food diary concept into a daily practice of jou
aling

Week four
– Explore self esteem issues
– List achievements – keep a ‘Victory ’log as part of jou
aling process
– Find new ways to nurture self without including food
–
Week five
– Negative self talk – explore the ‘Inner critic’ voice
– Limiting beliefs – what is holding her back from the new life and goals?

Week six
– Changing negative image and exploring a new Personal Brand
– Baby steps for way forward

A lot of work for coach, but even more for the client as this is not an instant fix and requires change in behaviour and attitude.