Instant gratification is not a word that should ever be associated with weight loss, at least not if you want it to be sustainable. What is required is a change that can fit in with your current lifestyle.

“Everyone watches the biggest loser and they’re losing ten pounds each week and they’re disappointed if they’re only losing five pounds a week, and that’s just not right,” says Nadine Dumas of What it Takes.

According to Nadine, losing one per cent of body weight per week is on the high side if you want the weight loss to be sustainable, so she urges caution for anyone starting on a weight loss programme. Unlike many approaches to losing weight, Nadine focuses on improving health with the weight loss coming as a result of improved habits.

“So many people are obsessed by a number. I’m looking more for changes that they made within their body. If someone doesn’t see that weight loss every single week I don’t want them to be fixated on it.”

Although many people try to exercise their way to better health and weight loss, Nadine believes that neglecting nutrition sets you on a path to failure.

“When I’m working with a person 85 per cent of what’s going to change your body is eating, 15 per cent is going to be the training. There is a saying that abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym, and it’s true,” she says.

“I cater my nutrition plan to their lifestyle and to what they like. I’m going to help them understand how better food can help change their body.”

Nadine says that far from a one size fits all approach, the nutrition plans she puts together also take into account what people like eating, so they will find it much easier to stick to.

“People go out to lots of social events here, so you have to keep those things in mind. I don’t want to be so strict with a client that it is impossible for them to stick to a plan, but I do have some restrictions,” she says.

Clients sign up with Nadine for a three month period, but her aim is to educate them sufficiently during this time that after the three months they can sustain their new nutrition strategy on their own and continue improving their health and physique.

One of the biggest challenges many people face is emotional eating, but recognising and conquering emotional eating can be very empowering.

“There are many things you can’t control, but you can control what you put in your mouth. If you can realise that you can control what you put in your mouth, all of a sudden you become a stronger person. When you realise you don’t need to eat that, it changes your mindset to believing you really can do this,” says Nadine.

This is why rather than just prescribe eating plans, Nadine works as a nutritional coach.

“It is important to have someone there guiding a person throughout the process, whether holding their hand or being their cheerleader.”

For more information on What it Takes, email canada.mhp@gmail.com or visit nadinedumas.com