Certain things in life (bikini waxes, tax preparation, brain surgery) just go better when you hire a professional. If you’ve tried all the motivation tricks we’ve given you and still can’t shed a kilo, it may be time to call in the big guns. Here’s who they are and what they can do for you.

Diet Doctor (bariatric physician)

Who is She?
A certified medical doctor who is trained to spot medical causes of weight gain.

Try Her if
You’re overweight enough that your waist size is bigger than your bra size.

What will She Do to Me?
Ask for your health history and give you a physical exam, then run blood tests to see if your glucose, insulin levels and thyroid are normal. Once she’s pinpointed the cause of your weight problem (like a hormonal deficiency), she’ll prescribe any necessary meds and work with you on a diet plan.

Best Weight-Loss Tip
Kick processed carbs to the curb – they cause spikes in your blood sugar, which can lead to insulin resistance over time.

Registered Dietician (RD)

Who is She?
Someone with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or science who’s passed a certifying exam.

Try Her if
You’re confused about what kind of eating plan to follow.

What will She Do to Me?
Ask you to write down everything you put in your mouth, so she can find out what you’re eating, when, where and why. Then she’ll create a meal plan and show you how to incorporate healthier foods into your diet, control portion sizes and cut back on junk food.

Best Weight-Loss Tip
Load at least half your plate with produce, a quarter with protein and a quarter with grains (preferably whole-grains).

Weight-Loss Psychologist

Who is She?
Someone with a PhD in clinical psychology who specialises in eating disorders and weight control.

Try Her if
You know what you’re supposed to do to lose weight but just can’t make yourself do it.

What will She Do to Me?
Ask you to talk – a lot – to get to the root of your food issues and figure out if you’re overeating because you’re bored, depressed, angry, stressed or all of the above.

Best Weight-Loss Tip
Go for a walk. If you’re stressed or depressed, it’s hard to make the effort to lose weight. But even mild physical activity will lift your mood and give you energy to do more.

Weight-Loss Coach

Who is She?
Anyone who calls herself a weight-loss coach. The best are certified.

Try Her if
You need a kick in the pants to put down the chips and get off the couch.

What will She Do to Me?
Ask you to keep a food log to pinpoint which emotions are triggering you to down an entire box of doughnuts and then teach you to counter the negative thoughts that led you to the cupboard. She’ll also help you find ways to overcome each skip-the-gym obstacle – whether it’s reworking your schedule or learning to say no to people who eat up too much of your time.

Best Weight-Loss Tip
Refuse to beat yourself up for overeating. That keeps you trapped in the negative thinking that made you eat in the first place.