In my last post I told you that I’d embarked on a year-long change process. At first I thought I’d read so much and been a coach so long myself that I could change the three things I wanted to change (weight, relationship, and level of anxiety) on my own. But, after four months of promising my doctor that I’d lose five pounds with no progress, I decided to rethink this.

I belong to East Bay Coaches, the San Francisco Bay area chapter associated with the International Coach Federation. At the May meeting I sat next to Jamie Davidson. Now, I knew that Jamie was cheerful, charming, and whippet thin. I also knew that she had been the programming chair the year before which included the responsibility to bring food to the meetings. I knew she brought healthy food. I also knew she was a lifestyle coach. With the proverbial slap to my forehead, I thought, ask Jamie to help you with your weight! I did.

We agreed to talk the following week. She was a born strategist and an intuitive positive psychologist. I wanted to use only positive methods to change so she checked on this important requirement. We strategized about a vacation I was about to take. It was a cruise to Alaska from San Francisco. “Impossible!” you say to losing weight on a cruise ship. Well, you may be right. But I didn’t gain any. I saw that as a triumph.

Since the end of May I have lost 11 pounds. I feel better in my clothes. I have more energy. And I love working with Jamie. She always looks for my successes. She always celebrates my achievements. She has great ideas and suggestions, and is more than willing to listen and learn. She’s got nutrition credentials and when I need them, she offers good food advice. Mostly though, we don’t talk about food. We talk about life and how to live it well.

That’s my big goal as a transitioning Baby Boomer. To be happier. I’ve found that coaching can help.