A Health Coach is a supportive mentor and wellness professional who works with clients to help them feel their best through food and lifestyle changes. Instead of prescribing one diet or way of exercising, Health Coaches tailor individualized wellness programs to meet their clients' needs.
Relationships, exercise, career, and spirituality are just as important to your health as the food you eat. Health Coaches understand this and take a holistic approach to supporting the whole person. Find out how health coaching stacks up against other health and wellness jobs.
HEALTH COACHING
WHAT IS HOLISTIC HEALTH COACHING
Health coaching (also known as wellness coaching) is a combination of nutrition coaching, traditional life coaching, nutritional advice, exercise and stress management. It is based on a holistic approach to life and involves the whole you - mind, body and spirit. Relationships, exercise, career and spirituality are just as important to your health as the food you eat.
Let's say you know you need to make some changes: start eating better, reduce stress that keeps a firm grip on your life, and maybe even focus on something important to you. Even with the best intentions, sometimes it's impossible to find time with family, work deadlines and all the other stuff tugging at us. You KNOW you need to make some changes, but something always comes first, and here you are.. in the same boat as you were a year ago, kind of stuck. Or feeling pretty ok about life, but wanting more because you know you deserve more. Or maybe you just want to improve your life. Period.
Health coaching can be the way to go! A health coach is a partner who is dedicated to help clients find the motivation and tools to get to their physical and emotional health goals. Those goals might include:
Losing a few pounds
Eating better
Quitting smoking
Lowering stress
Increased energy
Happier relationships
Work life balance
Career guidance
Professional development
A health coach works with a client to define goals and challenges that stand in the way, and together they outline the steps to achieve those goals in the way that works best for the client. Your health coaching sessions are build around providing support and guidance along the way and will hold you accountable for achieving your goals.
People hire a health coach because:
• They want a better life and are ready to make a change
• They are ready to explore
• They want to clarify and honor their values
• They want to get results
• They want fulfillment
• They want to be heard
• They want to consciously design and live their lives
• They need accountability and support
WHAT BENEFITS DO I GET FROM HEALTH COACHING
The benefits of health coaching are many, but the most important are:
• You stop putting up with what is dragging you down
• You take more effective and focused actions immediately
• You learn how to balance your busy schedule to make the changes you need
• You create momentum to get results
• You set better goals that you might not identify without a coach
• You learn about yourself more deeply, what you value, what you need, and how you view life
WHY DOES HEALTH COACHING WORK
• The synergy between the health coach and client creates momentum
• Better goals are set -- ones that naturally pull the client toward the goal
• With the accountability in the health coaching relationship, the client finds it easier to maintain focus and take consistent action
• The client develops new skills, and these skills translate into more success
• Health coaching honors the client as the expert in his/her life and work and believes that every client is creative, resourceful, and whole
HEALTH COACHING Q&A
What about people who are already doing great in their lives, why would they need a coach?
Coaching is not necessarily about need. It is about creating the most fulfilling and satisfying life you can. Coaches work with people who expect more in some areas of their lives.
Does the coach work on personal goals or business/professional goals?
Both. Our personal and professional lives intertwine and complement each other. In my sessions we discuss not only healthy lifestyle choices, but also other areas of a client’s life: career, personal relationships, and spirituality (emotional state).
Can I hire a coach just for a short-term, special project?
Yes. Some clients hire a coach like myself to help them accomplish specific goals or projects. Sometimes, the client continues working with a coach beyond that as additional goals often become evident. As always, it is the clients’ choice.
Are sessions confidential?
Absolutely. Our sessions are strictly confidential conducted in a safe environment. All client records are kept in a secure location and no information is shared.
How is coaching different from consulting? Therapy? A best friend?
Coaching is not consulting. Consulting is directive and content specific. Coaching is about facilitating exploration, expanding awareness, making decisions, taking action and designing environments that support your vision. The client is in the driver’s seat and is the ultimate decision maker.
Coaching is not therapy. Health coaches don't work on "issues", or get into the past or give advice on the intricacies of human behavior. Coaching is not intended to heal or fix anything. Simply put coaching takes us beyond the places we normally stop when left to ourselves.
Coaching is not a friendship relationship. A best friend plays a vital role in one's life. Because of the emotional connection with a friend, it is difficult for a friend to be objective and advise you on the most important aspects of your life and/or business. Have a best friend and a coach.
Learn more about my training and my unique approach to health coaching.
Are you curious about how health coaching can help you? Let’s talk. Schedule an initial consultation with me today.