Personal development is an incredibly broad topic and can mean so many different things. It’s also something that looks differently for all of us, but can a Personal Development Coach (PDC) help you in your journey to better health and a healthier weight? The short answer is yes…but we wouldn’t be Noom if we didn’t dive deeper and do a little research (because #NoomNerds).
What is a Personal Development Coach?
First we need to talk about what “personal development” means and what can this type of coach do for you. Personal development can be thought of as increasing self-awareness, analyzing life goals or achievements, facing challenges, and working towards your aspirations. So how can a PDC help here? A PDC, similar to a Noom health coach, helps their clients set realistic goals but will NOT tell their client what to do. This idea of guidance and support helps individuals learn what works best for them and puts the client in the driver’s seat on their own journey. You may find yourself working on building new skills, making life changes, and assessing strengths and improvement areas in many different expanses of your life with a PDC. How does a PDC become your PIC (partner in crime) in your weight loss journey?
Noom and Personal Development
Noom’s health coaches function similarly to PDC’s with the understanding that in order lose weight and change your lifestyle, you may want (or need) to make some major modifications to your everyday actions, like how you spend your time, what you eat for dinner with your family (which we hope doesn’t rock the boat), how you navigate obstacles in forming healthy habits, and even how you express or cope with your emotions. This idea of a holistic approach can be major in creating lasting change and losing weight. Noom coaches, like PDC’s, aren’t there to diagnose or treat ailments or tell you exactly what to do (because no two of us are the same, right?) but are there to guide, support, and encourage you through your health journey. Your coach may ask you some questions to get your gears turning, help in analyzing your current and desired habits, and help you set goals you feel confident in…getting at the big WHY behind all of it. Noom coaches may also have expertise that a general PDC may not have specific to exercise, nutrition, and the weight loss process as a whole (and it is a process).
Other Noom features that your run of the mill PDC may not offer play a crucial role in achieving goals and losing weight. Self-monitoring through a meal and exercise log as well as a place to record daily weigh-ins have been found in research to be an important ingredient for success. One study found that those who tracked meals consistently lost significant weight over a 12 month period of time and were less likely to be impacted by spur of the moment events, holidays, or the cold weather blues. This kind of self-monitoring can enhance self-awareness when it comes to certain habits and forming new ones, as well as offer a chance for more reflection between the client and coach. This self-awareness can be turned into long lasting change and turn the “I wish I could…” statements into realities along the road to better health.
The Bottom Line
Overall, while there is an important component for exercise and nutrition, Noom’s coaches are working with you in partnership to focus on behavior modifications and the psychological barriers that exist between you and your goals to help you create lasting change in your life. The multifaceted tools at your fingertips leave you with your very own health and wellness PDC there to help you become the best version of yourself while losing weight and changing your lifestyle. The self-monitoring and self-awareness you’ll gain through Noom’s tools only help the process towards growth and development along. Want a peek into Noom’s psychology based approach, tracking tools, and a chance to talk with your very own PDC? Give it a try today and sign up for a $1 trial.
Author: Amanda Cofer, MPH
