How Can You Help Clients Stop Midnight Snacking for Good?

Q: Can you share some tips on coaching someone who refers to themself as a ‘midnight snacker’? A: This can be a tough habit to break, but once accomplished, it can have huge health benefits! I’d begin with these few steps: Step 1: Change the Narrative One of the most powerful shifts in behavior change starts with identity. Focus on the label that your client has adopted. Referring to themself as a “midnight snacker” is essentially perpetuating a narrative that needs to be changed in order to break free of the habit. Encourage your client to swap out the midnight snacker label for a new mantra that aligns with the behavior they want to adopt. Some great alternatives: By reinforcing this new identity, they’ll start to see themselves in a different light, making it easier to break the cycle. Step 2: Upgrade the Nighttime Routine Most often, late-night snacking isn’t about hunger—it’s a habit or a form of comfort. We’ve all been there, right? In addition to the mindset shift mentioned above, encourage your client to give their nighttime routine a boost. Help your client create a new, more satisfying evening ritual. A few ideas: When their nighttime routine becomes something they look forward to, and something that is in it’s own way comforting, they’ll be less tempted to snack out of boredom or habit. And, if they’re currently waking up and going for a snack, once they adopt a better nighttime routine they may be less likely to wake up in the middle of the night. Win-win! Step 3: Introduce a New Habit For those moments when your client is tempted to reach for a snack, give them a replacement habit to break the cycle. I sometimes call these non-food controls. Here are a few ideas: By implementing these small but effective habit shifts, your client can transition from being a “midnight snacker” to a “sound sleeper.” The Bottom Line Helping a client stop midnight snacking isn’t just about telling them to stop—it’s about shifting their identity, upgrading their routine, and giving them practical alternatives. With the right mindset and tools, they may finally be able to say goodnight to late-night snacking and hello to restful sleep.

Best Practices: Should You Renew a Client Who Hasn’t Made Progress?

Q:  I have a client that is up to renew. She seems happy with our sessions and wants to renew, but hasn’t made progress, so I’m not sure I want her to. What should I do? Excellent question!  A common difficult dilemma nutrition and wellness coaches face is deciding whether to renew a client who seems happy with their sessions but hasn’t made the progress you had both hoped for. It can feel frustrating—to the client and coach—to invest time and energy without seeing measurable results, but before you make a decision, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate the situation holistically. Let’s break it down. 1. Progress Isn’t Always Linear Just because a client hasn’t hit specific milestones doesn’t mean they won’t. Behavior change is a complex and deeply personal journey. What looks like stagnation on the surface might actually be the necessary groundwork for future breakthroughs. Small shifts, like improved self-awareness or an increase in accountability, can be hard to measure but are often the precursors to larger, visible progress. For example, if your client feels supported, heard, and hopeful in your sessions, that’s a huge win—even if she hasn’t fully implemented the habits you’ve discussed. These foundational elements may be exactly what she needs to eventually make meaningful changes. It sounds like she must feel supported since she wants to continue working together. 2. Reflect on Your Own Experience A key factor in this decision is assessing how you feel about working with this client. Ask yourself: If the answer to these questions leans positive, that’s a strong case for continuing your work together. Coaching relationships thrive on mutual respect and enjoyment, and if you find joy in supporting her journey, it’s worth continuing. However, if you feel consistently drained, frustrated, or uninspired by your sessions, that’s a sign it might be time to part ways. Your energy and enthusiasm are essential to being an effective coach, and if this client’s lack of progress is impacting your ability to show up fully, it may not be a good fit moving forward. It is ok and healthy to recognize this.  3. The Role You May Be Playing It’s easy to focus solely on tangible outcomes, but your role as a coach might extend beyond the obvious. For some clients, having a safe, supportive space to explore their challenges can be life-changing. You may be their outlet, their anchor, or their source of hope. Sometimes, clients aren’t ready to make big changes—yet. But they renew because they see value in the relationship and trust that, when they’re ready, you’ll be there to guide them. Recognizing this can shift your perspective on what success looks like. 4. Taking Baby Steps Toward Progress If you decide to continue working with this client, consider adjusting your approach: Ultimately, the decision to renew a client who hasn’t made as much progress as you would have liked comes down to two key questions: If the answer to both is yes, it’s worth continuing coaching this person. Progress may take longer than expected, but your support could be the constant she needs to get there. If, however, you feel the relationship isn’t serving either of you, it’s okay to move on with grace and professionalism. The most important thing is to honor both your needs and your client’s journey.