4 things a health coach can do for you, and 2 they shouldn’t.
So, you’re tired of riding the diet roller coaster. Or you’re just looking for a little assistance and support on your journey to a healthier you. Whatever the reason, you’re interested in hiring a health coach to help you get there.
Well, this article will help you ask the right questions and make the right decision when hiring a health coach. Here are four things a health coach can do for you and two they shouldn’t.
Four Things a Health Coach Can Do For You:
1. Create a personalized nutrition plan. One of the first things a good health coach will do is conduct an assessment of your current diet and dietary habits. From this assessment, your coach will work with you to create a customized nutrition plan that suits your needs and addresses your health goals. This plan can be designed around your personal goals to lose weight, increase energy, decrease inflammation, or manage other chronic conditions.
2. Help with meal planning and food prep. Simply creating a nutrition plan is not enough. You need an action plan to put it into place. This is where meal planning and food prep come into play. A health coach will provide a meal plan with recipes and resources based on your goals, food preferences, and lifestyle. They can also include make-ahead meal prep strategies and options for cooking classes in your home.
3. Provide fitness coaching. Diet alone can do a lot for your health. But physical fitness is equally important! A good health coach will meet you where you are at fitness-wise, and work with you to create a customized plan that includes cardio and/or strength training, depending on your individual needs and goals.
4. Help establish healthy habits and better brain health. In many ways, this is the core of what a health coach does. All of the above services will be for naught and just sit on paper if you don’t change your habits. A good health coach will help you focus on being mindful and incorporating new healthy habits into your daily routine. They can also provide coaching on techniques to help you manage stress, improve sleep, and create additional healthy lifestyle habits.
Two Things a Health Coach Shouldn’t Do for You:
1. Use fad diets, supplements, or powdered drinks. The fact is, most of us can get all of our nutritional needs met by eating a well-rounded, healthy, whole food diet. A good health coach knows this and will work with you to create a customized nutrition plan that meets your needs. If a health coach is trying to sell you a product or is pushing a one-size-fits-all plan to you, then turn them away.
2. Focus solely on weight loss. Most people will shed some pounds on their journey to better health. But that’s not true for everyone. In fact, based on age, metabolism, hormonal changes, or personal medical conditions, simply maintaining or even gaining weight may be the healthiest option. The bottom line is weight loss alone is not the be-all, end-all indicator of good health. Look for health coaches who understand this and take a more holistic approach to health and nutrition.
[More questions? Visit our FAQs on health coaching services here.]
Conclusion
When choosing a health coach, steer clear of those who offer a one-size-fits-all approach or rely on diet supplements for their results. Instead, choose a health coach that takes a holistic approach to health and fitness and will tailor a plan to fit your specific needs and goals. Specifically, look for a health coach that focuses on a personalized nutrition plan, meal planning and prep, a customized fitness plan, and a holistic, mindful approach to better health.
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This post was written exclusively for to your health, a national health and wellness coaching firm based in Wallingford, CT. Its founder, Linda Hubbard, is an RN, Nutrition Specialist, and Health Coach. She can be reached at linda@toyourhealth360.com.