Now, more than ever, people are paying a great deal of attention to living healthier lives. The rise of consumer goods that contain less preservatives and artificial flavorings, along with the mushrooming of gyms that promote everything from weight training to yoga, are just a few of the indicators of this trend.
The latest trend in fitness is to get yourself a wellness and health coach. This is viewed as a way to somehow guide people in choosing the right fitness and health activities and products that perfectly suit their personal circumstances.
A Wellness Coach Is A Professional
A wellness coach is basically a trained professional who works with a client to help him accomplish his health goals. While they have responsibilities that may overlap with those of a personal trainer or a nutritionist, wellness coaches have a completely different occupation. Unlike personal trainers or nutritionists who focus on an individual’s exercise regimen and diet, a wellness coach puts a more holistic approach into action. In addition to this, a wellness coach also works with clients to help them make choices that are both beneficial for their health goals and in tune with their lifestyles.
Some of the steps involved in working with a wellness coach include the following:
- Having an introductory session with the wellness coach. These sessions can last anywhere between 15 minutes to a full hour. This step is crucial as you and the coach will discuss the sort of goals you want to achieve (e.g., losing a certain amount of weight, quitting a particular bad habit such as smoking, etc.).
A Wellness Coach Helps Identify What’s Holding You Back
Any challenges that you might face in the process of achieving your health goals will also be discussed. After this session, your wellness coach will usually come up with an outline of all the steps you need to accomplish the said goals. Introductory sessions can be done over the phone or in person.
- Doing homework assignments as dispensed by the coach. This can involve anything from keeping a journal about your daily decisions regarding diet and exercise to creating a specific action plan to help you achieve your health goals.
- Being held accountable for your actions and decisions throughout the program. While wellness coaches are not psychotherapists, they will also find ways to push and motivate you on days when you may not feel like sticking to your action plan. Many life coaches also provide support and encouragement throughout the program. In a lot of cases, they can also use a bit of tough love to help you along.