Coaching and Behavior Change Flashcards

A client is consistently hitting macro targets but feels anxious, obsessive, and stressed about tracking. This pattern most warrants:

Answer: Exploration of the client's relationship with food and potential referral to a mental health professional

Anxiety, obsession, and stress around food tracking are warning signs of disordered eating. The coach should explore this and consider referral rather than reinforcing the rigid tracking behavior.

In the context of behavior change, 'self-efficacy' refers to:

Answer: A client's belief in their own ability to successfully perform a specific behavior

Self-efficacy (Bandura's social cognitive theory) is a client's confidence in their own ability to execute a specific behavior. High self-efficacy predicts better adherence to macro protocols.

A client has been making excellent progress for 8 weeks, then misses two check-ins and stops tracking. This pattern most likely indicates:

Answer: A lapse in motivation or a life stressor — the coach should proactively reach out rather than wait for the client to re-engage

A sudden disappearance after consistent engagement often signals a stressor, life disruption, or shame about a lapse. Proactive outreach (non-judgmental check-in) dramatically improves re-engagement.

The concept of 'habit stacking' in behavior change coaching involves:

Answer: Linking a new desired behavior to an existing established habit to make the new behavior easier to remember and perform

Habit stacking links a new behavior (like logging macros) to an existing habit (like morning coffee), using the existing habit as a cue that triggers the new behavior.

Which of the following best describes the role of accountability in macro coaching?

Answer: Accountability creates external motivation through scheduled check-ins and shared tracking, which bridges the gap until internal motivation develops

External accountability (check-ins, shared logs) provides motivation during early stages before habit formation and internal motivation become strong enough to sustain behavior independently.

A client struggles with emotional eating — turning to food when stressed. The most appropriate macro coaching response is:

Answer: Acknowledge the emotional eating pattern, build awareness around it, and suggest simple coping strategies while referring to a therapist if needed

Emotional eating is a coping mechanism, not a lack of willpower. The coach should build awareness, offer practical strategies, and refer to a mental health professional for underlying emotional drivers.