Member story
Diana's story
Diana, a retired occupational therapist, shares how one-to-one coaching helped her plan ahead for difficult moments and let go of guilt around food.
About this story
Diana is a retired occupational therapist, and by her own account, the scales ruled her life from the age of 14. She has lived with this problem for a long time. This time, she says, her journey has been very positive.
Not a diet
When people ask Diana whether she's allowed to eat something "on her diet," she corrects them. It isn't a diet. Without a daily number to hit, she found she no longer felt the pull to break the rules.
"That in itself puts you at the center and you in control, with the support of your coach."
A coach who started by listening
Diana's coach, Steph, began by listening. And when Diana had a harder day, the message that came wasn't a correction. It was a check-in.
"I've always had a message: 'Are you okay? Has something happened? Do you need some help?'"
Steph encouraged her to do the best she could in the moment and not to feel guilty. For someone who had carried that guilt for most of her life, that mattered.
Planning for the hard moments
One of the most practical parts of Diana's experience has been planning ahead. When she knew a difficult period was coming, she could ask Steph for advice on how to get through it, before it happened rather than after.
What stood out
- Her coach started by listening and understood her history.
- Check-ins after hard days replaced guilt with support.
- Planning ahead for difficult moments helped her stay on track.
Transcript
I wanted to wear on my birthday the dress that I had worn on my 50th birthday, and I did.
Hello, I'm Diana. I'm a retired occupational therapist. The [?] scales had ruled my life since I was 14. My weight loss journey this time has been very positive.
With Embla, I knew that the chocolate was in the fridge if I really needed it, or the alcohol was in the bottle, but I didn't have that number to hit every day, so I didn't bother. What people always ask me is, can you eat this on your diet? And I say, it's not a diet. And yes, I can eat what I like. No counting on Embla. There's no counting either of the good things or the bad things, and that in itself puts you at the center and you in control, with the support of your coach.
My Embla health coach, Steph, has supported me hugely. She started by listening to me. If I've hit the chocolate or alcohol, I've always had a message: "Are you okay? Has something happened? Do you need some help?" Encouraging me to just do the best I can for that time and not to feel guilty. She has understood that I have lived with this problem all of my life.
There's been a lot of forward planning that I've been able to do with Embla, and if I've known I'm going to have a time that was difficult, I've been able to ask Steph for advice on how to get through that time.
I didn't have any concerns using the medication with Embla, apart from the actual physical giving of the injection. Needles and I don't get on unless I'm sewing with them. The doctor concerned was able to be with me the first time I did give myself the injection, and after that it's been fine.
I was concerned about what my son might think about me using the medication, but in fact his reaction was, "Mum, why haven't they done this years ago?"
Individual results vary. Results depend on many factors, including engagement with the program.
Testimonials reflect the individual experiences of Embla members, shared with their permission and edited for length. Individual results vary. Medication is prescribed only by an independent licensed clinician when determined appropriate. Not all participants will qualify.