What is a health coaching?
You may have heard the term “health coach” popping up in nutritional circles and appearing in magazine articles and on TV. However, I often find that when I tell someone that I’m a health coach, they have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about.
The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition school and the school where I studied, defines a health coach as: “a guide and mentor who empowers you and provides ongoing support and guidance as you set goals and make sustainable changes that improve your health and happiness. ”
To put it simply, health coaches like me are highly educated guides in the fields of nutrition, wellness, bio-individuality and mentoring. As your health coach, I will listen carefully and we’ll navigate the world of contradictory nutrition and health advice together to explore what truly works for you.
As a graduate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I learned innovative coaching methods, practical lifestyle management techniques, and over 100 dietary theories; everything from Ayurveda, gluten-free, and Paleo, to raw, vegan, and macrobiotics, as well as everything in between.
It takes a year of training to become credentialed as a health coach through the institute. Health coaching focuses not only on the food you eat, but also your lifestyle.
It’s also important to know what a health coach is not. A health coach is not a doctor. A health coach does not diagnose conditions, prescribe medications or recommend lower or higher doses of your current medications. Many health coaches are not personal trainers (although some, like me, are certified in personal training), so it’s important to know what certifications your health coach holds if they are recommending specific exercises for you. A health coach is not a drill sergeant. We do not scream orders at you, or berate you for not meeting a goal in a specified amount of time. We understand that life happens, and we work with you and support you in every way we can to achieve optimal wellness.
My Approach
Have you ever been given a list of’eat this, not that’? Have you found that making drastic changes all at once is unsustainable and doesn’t work for you long-term? Perhaps a friend of yours lost a lot of weight on one particular diet, but when you tried it, the results were minimal at best.
I practice a holistic approach to health and wellness, which means that I look at how all areas of your life are connected. Does stress at work or in your relationship cause you to overeat? Does lack of sleep or low energy prevent you from exercising? As we work together, we will look at how all parts of your life affect your health as a whole.
My approach is not to dwell on calories, carbs, fats, or proteins. It is not to create lists of restrictions or good and bad foods. Instead, I work with my clients to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun and rewarding.
Together we’ll work to reach your health goals in areas such as achieving optimal weight, reducing food cravings, increasing sleep, and maximizing energy. As we work together, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the food and lifestyle choices that work best for you and implement lasting changes that will improve your energy, balance and health.
What a health coaching session might look like
- We connect the dots between who you are and who you want to be.
- Create your personal blueprint.
- Decipher your body’s unique needs.
- Set your personal goals and work towards sustainable change.
Each session will leave you feeling inspired and motivated. We will talk about things beyond food, seeking to bring balance to important elements of your life such as love and relationships, as well as career and money. I will personally and carefully guide you to make simple, small changes that transform your life.
