5 Reasons To Work With a Certified 21DSD Coach

Hey Folks! We're excited to welcome back Certified 21DSD Coach Stefanie Bonastia. Stefanie's article is part of a series contributed by our Certified 21DSD Coaches. Enjoy! – Diane and Team

I was going through some client testimonials after running my last 21-Day Sugar Detox and came across this statement:

“Obviously, a coach is the way to go!”

Of course I believe this to be true, but I’m biased because, well, I’m a coach! But the statement made me stop and think about all of the people who go through this detox on their own. I admire those who take the initiative to get out there, buy a book, read it cover to cover, and dive in. It’s a great thing for people to take charge of their own health. But the words of my participant echoed in my head:

“I participate in the Facebook 21DSD community and I just read through a few posts. I feel sorry for some of the people out there who are struggling and who have no support. They are making it so much more difficult than they need it to be!”

So I reached out to some of my former group members and we came up with the top 5 reasons to complete the 21-Day Sugar Detox with a Certified Coach. If you’re going to do this, you might as well do it right!

1. By far and away, the most frequently cited reason to complete this process with a coach is for accountability.

Pure and simple. There is something about the process of signing up, paying a fee, and participating in weekly (and often daily!) check-ins that signals to your brain, “I am DOING this. I am committed.” Too often, we have tons of steam during the first week, but after a while the momentum dies off and we need that accountability to keep us on track. Heading for a slip? You’ll think twice about it when you remember that your next meeting is in two days and you want to show up with a story about how you almost went for the candy bowl but opted for the green apple and almond butter instead.

2. 21DSD Certified Coaches have been certified for a reason. We know the book and the material inside and out.

We’ve tried a lot of the recipes. We have participated in AND run at least one (and likely much more than one) detox ourselves, so we know what questions you’ll have and where to find the answers. Along the way, coaches collect tips, recipes, articles, and other relevant information to support detoxers on all levels, and we are there to share this information with you. How do I make my own fermented pickles? What’s the best way to do this detox if I had my gallbladder removed? Am I eating too many starchy vegetables, or not enough? What’s the best thing to order at our local restaurant? And what the heck is kombucha? We are a wealth of information at your fingertips–and you don’t have to do the work! It’s enough to get a handle on creating grocery lists and meal prepping–you shouldn’t have to worry about anything else. Let a coach be your guide so you can handle the rest. (As an added bonus, many coaches have dual certifications and are also yoga instructors, integrative nutrition, registered dieticians, etc. which add to their pool of resources).

3. Aside from holding you accountable AND providing you with answers to the wide variety of questions that inevitably arise during this program, a Certified Coach is also your biggest cheerleader.

We are there to support and motivate you–that’s what a coach does, right? In my own groups, I offer graphics with quotes, mantras, and inspirational tips via the Facebook page on a daily basis to keep your energy and enthusiasm going strong, even when–no, especially when–you can’t muster it yourself. From Day 1 through Day 21, a coach’s confidence in and enthusiasm for your success does not burn out, even if your own dwindles. We are there to pick you up on your off days, and after a while you’ll begin to realize how much a positive mindset helps keep your head in the game.

4. Group dynamic. When you sign up for a group detox, you not only get a coach, you also get–surprise!–a group.

As the detox gains momentum, you’ll become familiar with your fellow group members through daily interactions in private Facebook groups and weekly meetings, and you will likely establish a rapport with them. They become like members of your team. Your peers are great for moral support and motivation: you can vent to them, commiserate with them, and most importantly, learn from them. You can also use this “team” mentality as another mode of accountability and see how far it can take you–you might be surprised.

5. Personalized needs. Last but not least, here’s where it gets personal.

Every participant comes to this program with a unique set of circumstances that may present a challenge at some point or another. Maybe you’re pregnant; maybe you just started a new workout routine; maybe you’re dealing with body-image issues and feel stressed about a slip-up. From personal issues to medical ones, a coach can help you navigate through a problem while managing the detox in a personal, tailored-for-you way. The benefit of small groups (versus the larger 21DSD community, which is helpful in its own right for sure) is that your Coach can get to know you a bit more intimately and you can receive individualized attention specific to your needs. Don’t be afraid to approach a coach if midway through you find that the energy modifications don’t feel like enough for you, or you have a big social event coming up and you’re not sure how to deal with it. Whatever it is, your coach is there for you.

So if you’re thinking about a detox, consider signing on with a Certified Coach and reap all the benefits that accompany being part of a group. At the end of the day, you’ll get more bang for your buck and you’ll walk away with a greater arsenal of tools to set you up for success both during and after the detox.

Stefanie Bonastia is a 21-Day Sugar Detox Certified Coach and an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach based in Morristown, NJ. The founder of Evolve Well with Stefanie, she is a mother by day (and night) and a healthy lifestyle renegade in all the hours between. Stefanie’s passion for health coaching is fueled by her own personal evolution from “living” to “thriving,” and the desire to help anyone with an open mind & heart to do the same.

For more information about working with a 21DSD Certified Coach, please visit https://21daysugardetox.com/coaches/.