eDiets Stress & Emotion

By Shawn McKee
Staff Writer

Tools are only effective if you know how they work -- and if you actually use them. How many of us have purchased an ab-blaster, turbo twister or super cruncher, only to have it take up space in our closets? It's the same with diet books, exercise videos and gym memberships.

Many times we buy things with the best intentions but don't have the know-how or follow-through to use these very valuable tools. We waste precious resources that could be leading us to a healthier way of life.

Guidance is crucial to taking the right path toward your goals. If you don't know where to begin, it's imperative that someone points you in the right direction. You need a mentor.

A mentor is just as critical in weight loss as it is in business. Remember your first day?

Everything was overwhelming. You got lost looking for the bathroom, you forgot everyone's name and the fax machine refused to cooperate. That feeling goes away with time, of course, but it can lead to failure before you even begin if someone isn't there to help you overcome it.

"My mentor was really key in helping me learn some of the basics," says eDiets Member Success Coordinator Cathy Cox, who is an ACE certified personal trainer that lost more than 120 pounds with eDiets.

"She was the first to try to help me understand that the 'all-or-nothing' mindset was not the best approach to weight loss. I struggled a lot with getting both nutrition and exercise done at first, and she suggested I pick one and stick with it and then, over time, add the other."

Cathy started with improving her diet and eating habits before she added exercise. Something that started as overwhelming became conquerable when she realized she could break it into smaller goals.

"When I took that approach, smaller steps -- not just huge leaps of changing everything at one time -- I started to see much more success with much less frustration," Cathy says.

"The goal of the Mentor Program is to help members get acclimated to the site, on track with their program and involved in the eDiets Community. It helps members who may be struggling with their commitment to better health to find the support and direction necessary to achieve their goals," says eDiets Manager of Community Services Stefani Kauffman.

Stefani recommends visiting the Mentor Room Support Board, where members can request a Mentor. Members have the opportunity to read posts by the Mentors and join in on their discussions or send a private message to them asking for assistance. This helps the member find a mentor that fits their personality and needs the best.

Members can also be matched to Mentors for support, information, tips and guidance for a 30-day period. That way, members become more comfortable with their plan and involved with the tools, support and resources available. Send an email to MentorProgram@eDiets.com to find out more.

And don't worry if you think you'll need more than 30 days of guidance. Because of the way the program functions, members have the option of staying connected with their Mentor for as long as they want their help.

Once members reach their goals, they are often eager to give back to a program that helped them do things they never thought possible.

"After several months and losing about 25 or 30 pounds with eDiets, I decided to become a Mentor myself," says Cathy. "I wanted to share what I had learned with others because it had such a profound impact on me. What I found was that in helping others who were struggling or just starting out, in staying positive and trying to keep them motivated, and sharing all the things I had learned, that helped me to stay on track!"

Here are a few quotes from members who’ve participated in the Mentor Program:

Your mentoring has really been helpful, and I can tell the support groups may make a huge impact on staying motivated and being on track… Today ended my first week on my diet plan and I had lost 2 lbs., so I feel really good about that! -- Mini

Thanks for putting up this post. It is one day at a time and sometimes one hour at a time. You are an inspiration and a great mentor and motivator for those of us who are newbies to eDiets. -- Deb

Welcome new comers. It's not always easy but with the support of those who give us guidance we can make progress. -- Kathy

If anyone has any questions about the Mentor Program, they can post on the Questions thread in the Mentor Room support board or write to MentorProgram@eDiets.com.

If you're ready to get the help you need to reach your weight-loss goals, take this free diet quiz and find out which plan is right for you.

Labels: diet, emotions, healthy lifestyle, mentor, self-esteem, stress, support, weight loss