"Hey Health Coach,
I love my job, but it’s taking a toll on my health. I’ve gained weight and am having low back pain and digestive issues. I have so many ideas about what I should do to get in shape, but when there’s time, I’d rather relax with family and friends. The thought of adding a diet or workout plan to my schedule is overwhelming (especially since they never seem to work), and I wonder if a health coach can help me figure out what I need. What does a health coach do, exactly, and how do I know if I’m hiring a good one?"
- Tired and confused
Dear Tired and confused,
You sound like a hard-working person and a free spirit who cherishes your downtime. Clearly, you’re being pulled in a lot of different directions, and when it comes to taking care of yourself, you’re trying to “get in shape” by clamping down on the little bit of freedom and flexibility you have. Those constraints aren’t working because they’re contrary to who you are and the life you want.
How do you feel about being told what to do? I’m guessing you, like most people, are not a fan. In the realm of health and fitness, most of us are used to subscribing to a plan, diet or philosophy that’s been dictated by someone else to solve our problems. This someone may be an expert in their field. They may be a doctor, personal trainer, nutritionist or Instagram expert. They might be a well-meaning partner or friend. Or they might be your mom. This person has a plan that will “fix” you—or so they say. It seems convincing enough. You like the results they’re promising, but somehow, when you try their plan, it falls apart like a macaroni castle glued together with probiotic yogurt. Splat. The most common response when we’re told what to do is to list all the reasons why it won’t work: Tell me to quit chocolate, and I’ll snort mochaccino out my nose. Put me on a workout plan I hate, and I’ll let you know how it’s going from my couch. On the other hand, try to take away my daily walk, and I’ll smite you and leave you for dust. Prescribed plans fall apart because they don’t account for the reality of your life: who you are, what you care about and how you spend your time. We change because we want to—not because we “should.” The way to get different results, of course, is to establish different behavior patterns, and the way to do that is to build a plan specifically for you—and by you—with your circumstances and priorities front and center. That’s where a trained, certified health coach comes in.
Signs of a Good Health Coach
A good health coach always:
Puts you in the driver’s seat to figure out what you want and how to make it happen, realistically, step-by-step.
Respects you and your priorities without judging or pushing you to do things that don’t feel manageable or interesting.
Helps you anticipate and overcome obstacles.
Helps you identify solutions you may or may not have considered before.
Guides you to build problem-solving systems you can apply, on your own, as new goals and challenges arise in the future.
How do you know if you’re hiring a qualified one?
First, you have to like the person. Rapport is huge, so if you meet with someone and don’t jibe with them, move on. Second, look for credentials. (Khristine is
certified through The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, which is an Approved Health and Wellness Coach Training & Education Program by The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). A Health Coach Is a Partner—Not a Dictator
You were spot on, Tired and Confused, when you wondered if a coach could help you decide what you need. That’s exactly what they do—help you identify your specific needs and figure out what to do about them within the parameters of your actual, real life.
The feeling of overwhelm you described comes from caring about so many people and things. You take time for them because you don’t want anyone or anything you love to suffer. But you seem to care about your body, too, especially now that it’s hurting. You said you have “so many ideas” about what to do to feel better, and that’s a powerful place to start.
A coach is a partner, sometimes a guide, but never a dictator.
If you want a fixed formula, you might want to look elsewhere. If you want to create and implement a plan designed with your unique interests and challenges in mind, a health coach might be exactly what you need."
Referenced from: https://www.forbes.com/health/body/what-is-a-health-coach/?fbclid=IwAR2k2HHG-OUA5905IdnjE5nLTXped27aFpwxQwSovHoEpAftx2eDUat_3Os
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