A health coach is a certified practitioner that aids an individual to reach their health goals. They are trained to use different techniques, such as Motivational Interviewing or understanding Stages of Change, as well as provide education to discover, not only what is preventing success, but also what steps can be taken to realize success. It should be noted that this is not always a comfortable experience. Health coaches need to ask challenging questions to understand where you are and how to get you to advance in the change process. Changing your lifestyle can seem like a daunting task! We all need someone in our corner. A health coach is there to offer support, provide suggestions and expertise, and to get you where you want to be.
Health coaches have their different areas of expertise and knowledge all generally advising on health living. This can include weight loss, nutritious eating plan, exercise regime, stress management, sleep patterns and more! The main purpose of all these is, simply, changing habits. I know you'll hear it takes 30 days to change a habit. If that were the case, there wouldn't be a need for health coaches. Habits are hard to change, and it can take months of practice for a healthy lifestyle to become your norm. Yes, like real practice! Think of playing the piano or learning to golf. Even if you practiced every day for 30 days, you would improve, but it wouldn't stick for life. And, have you noticed that even experts need coaches to keep honing their craft?
The goals your coach is working toward are not their own personal goals for you, but the goals that you have communicated that you want to achieve. If you want to lose 30 lbs, a health coach will guide you through a process of overcoming hurdles and habits that have prevented it before. For instance, you and your coach may spend an entire session discussing meal prep and planning, a skill you want for healthy eating and weight loss But, at the session ending when setting your goals for the coming week, you decide you need to work on your stress management. Why? Only you know. It may be you crave candy when you're stressed, or that you overeat and feel miserable afterwards. This doesn't mean that you aren't going to work on meal planning, instead, that it is your walk, and only you are the expert of you.
So, what can health coaches NOT do? Health coaches cannot diagnose or treat a condition. They cannot prescribe a dietary or nutritional plan. They cannot provide a specific exercise plan. They cannot work through your past or provide counseling. They can provide resources, such as a website, maybe a book, or to seek a professional, such as a physician, dietitian/nutritionist, psychiatric therapist, personal trainer, etc.
The reason someone will use a health coach are varied. Usually, it's because they've tried a lot of different things before and nothing has worked. Have you ever tried to eat better, exercise and change bad habits all at the same time. It's overwhelming! Health coaches work alongside clients to offer support and encouragement when they feel afraid and inadequate. They break down changes into small, doable tasks and then build on successes, create confidence and develop skills to make your lifestyle changes last.
Contact Dani at InCourage Health LLC to find out more!
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