Interview with Trim Teams

Losing weight is always so much easier when you have some support. Sometimes we can’t always get to that meeting or friend who might be able to offer a friendly word or some coaching to keep us going in the right direction.

I recently became intrigued when I heard about Trim Teams, an online weight loss support organization. It seems we can get everything online these days, from books or the perfect mate (said this former Internet dater), so why not weight loss support? To that end, I recently interviewed Ken Crawford of Trim Teams about his organization and how it can benefit people trying to lose some weight.

Tell us about Trim Teams.

Trim Teams is made available for anyone 18 and older who is trying to lose weight but doesn’t want to go it alone. We are essentially the everyday-life version of a weight loss reality show however, we won’t kick you out.

For added support Trim Teams operates in a “live” tele-team setting where each member can have convenient, scheduled, remote access to their coach and teammates three times per week.

Our accountability program is designed specifically for those with tight schedules who need a coach to push them and keep them motivated to lose weight.

What was the idea behind it?

The idea came from my experience with a once-a-week weight loss support group and having to go through the remaining six days on my own.

I needed a support system throughout the week, and after surveying several focus groups I found I wasn’t alone.

Our focus group findings revealed that although many people felt that they could benefit from additional accountability throughout the week, the prospect of driving back and forth for more meetings looked less appealing with the cost of gas and the additional drive time required.

So we thought we could provide a cost effective alternative.

What kind of support does Trim Teams provide?

For starters, our “Relationship Based” model revolves around our coaches, who care and understand our members and their weight loss goals.

Next, we apply team dynamics because it’s no secret that camaraderie comes with being on a team and has the added benefit of empowering each individual.

We then provide a private online accountability journal for each member. The journals contain approximately 40,000 food and restaurant menu items, and allow members to track everything they’ve eaten so they know how many calories they’ve consumed on a daily basis.

Our support model is fortified by introducing a calorie counter watch. The watch tracks calories burned and members enter the results into their journal. The journal automatically lets them know if they have a calorie deficit or surplus. The coaches then check each journal and review it with each member individually as part of the accountability process.

The most important step is of course the three “live” 15 minute tele-team calls, which is where everything comes together. It’s here where people really enjoy themselves and can begin to understand the benefits of support and bond with their coach and teammates.