Many people want help with their health or weight, but they are unsure who to turn to. Some search for a dietitian, others look for a nutritionist, some join a gym and find a personal trainer and many type weight loss coach into Google because they want someone who understands everyday life as well as food and fitness.
This guide explains the key differences and then shows where my coaching approach sits, because I combine all of these areas into one clear and supportive service.
Dietitian
A dietitian is the most clinically trained of all the roles. They usually work in hospitals, GP surgeries or specialist clinics and focus on diagnosing and managing medical conditions that require dietary intervention.
A dietitian can help you with things like:
- Coeliac disease
- Kidney disease
- Eating disorders
- Crohns or ulcerative colitis
- Complex allergies
- Cancer related nutritional issues
Dietitians often work with patients who need structured medical nutrition therapy, tube feeding plans or very precise dietary changes to support treatment. Their work is regulated, and they follow strict clinical guidelines.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist helps people understand food, nutrients and lifestyle choices that support overall health. They work in a variety of settings, from one to one coaching to workplaces, community programmes and sports teams.
A nutritionist can help you with:
- Healthy eating habits
- Weight loss education
- Understanding food groups and nutrients
- Energy balance
- Meal ideas and planning
- Making sense of food labels
A nutritionist cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions in the way a dietitian can. However, a nutritionist can still support people who have certain health considerations. For example, with my exercise referral qualification, I am able to work with clients who have type two diabetes, high blood pressure and other common medical conditions, helping them plan food and activity in a way that fits their lifestyle. I do not diagnose medical conditions or provide clinical nutrition therapy. If someone needs specialist medical support or advice, I refer them to their GP or a registered dietitian.
Weight Loss Coach
A weight loss coach focuses on helping someone lose weight in a way that feels sustainable and realistic for real life. Some weight loss coaches have additional qualifications in nutrition or fitness, while others focus mainly on mindset and habits.
A weight loss coach can help you with:
- Building sustainable habits
- Losing weight without feeling restricted
- Understanding hunger and cravings
- Emotional eating
- Building confidence
- Creating a personalised plan
- Staying consistent when life gets busy
A good weight loss coach supports not just food choices, but the lifestyle patterns that make long term weight management easier.
Personal Trainer
A personal trainer specialises in movement and exercise. They help people get stronger, fitter and more confident in the gym or with home training.
A personal trainer can help you with:
- Strength training
- Form and technique
- Gym programming
- Beginners confidence
- Cardiovascular fitness
- Training for events or specific goals
A personal trainer focuses mostly on the exercise side, so if someone wants to lose weight they may still need separate support with food, habits and behaviour.
Where I Fit In
My background is a little different. I am a weight loss coach but I also bring these areas together.
I am:
- An experienced weight loss coach
- A qualified Level 4 nutritionist and sports nutritionist
- A qualified personal trainer
- Trained in behaviour change and habit building
- Able to support with emotional eating patterns and behaviours
- Exercise referral qualified, so I can safely support people with diabetes, high blood pressure and similar conditions
- Someone who has personally lost over four stone and kept it off
My clients lose weight without feeling restricted because we design a way of eating that fits their lifestyle. There is no forcing your life to fit a plan. You will eat foods you enjoy, build habits that feel achievable and learn how to navigate real life situations like social events, family meals, stress and busy work days.
I used to be really overweight and comfort ate a lot, so I understand the emotions that come with weight gain, dieting, starting again every Monday and wondering why you cannot stay consistent. I know how it feels because I have lived it.
I can help you with:
- Understanding how different foods affect your mood and energy
- Making sense of food labels and portion sizes
- Navigating weekends, travel, work events and family life
- Emotional eating patterns and evening cravings
- Motivation, confidence and goal setting
- Time management and building routines that actually work
- Sleep, stress and the mindset traps that hold people back
- The skills you need for sustainable weight management
And if you want to get fitter and stronger, I can support that too. I create gym plans, home workouts and simple strength training programmes that help you lift well, avoid injury and feel confident. If you are training for a half marathon, a cycling sportive, HYROX, a 10K or simply want to feel fitter, we can build performance into your plan without derailing your weight loss goals.
This rounded approach is what makes coaching easier and more successful. You get nutrition guidance, weight loss support, exercise programming and daily accountability in one place.
FAQs
Do I need a dietitian for weight loss?
Not usually. A dietitian is often needed only when there is a medical condition that requires clinical nutrition care. Most people looking to lose weight do best with a nutritionist or weight loss coach.
Is a nutritionist the same as a dietitian?
No. A dietitian can diagnose and treat medical conditions, while a nutritionist focuses on education, healthy eating and lifestyle change.
What is the difference between a personal trainer and a weight loss coach?
A personal trainer focuses on exercise and fitness. A weight loss coach focuses on habits, food, behaviour, lifestyle and long term change. Some professionals, like me, combine both.
Who is best if I want to lose weight and get fitter?
Someone who understands nutrition, behaviour and exercise together is ideal. If you want weight loss and better fitness, a combined approach works best… just like I offer!
What makes an effective weight loss coach?
Experience, emotional understanding, habit coaching, strong nutritional knowledge and a clear structure for accountability all matter.
