Should You Work with a Health and Wellness Coach?

Whether you need help with losing a few pounds or you’d like guidance when quitting a bad habit, a health and wellness coach can provide the support you need to succeed. Here’s what you should know before seeking a health and wellness coach:
 
What is health coaching?
 
Coaching isn’t just for athletes. A health coach can help you achieve your health-related goals, whether they’re big or small. You can find coaches to help you stop smoking, establish better eating habits, manage your stress, or simply offer support in your weight-loss journey. But rather than giving you the drill sergeant treatment that you might expect from a professional athletic coach, a health coach operates more like a therapist, giving you tools to manage the health-related challenges you face.

Developing a plan that works for you
 
If you ever feel like you’ve hit a dead end when managing your well-being, a health coach can provide the guidance you need to make progress. Health coaching typically lasts for three months, and during that time, your coach will routinely check in via phone calls, emails, or in-person visits. Every time, you’ll have the chance to discuss your goals and progress. Interviews with your health coach are a crucial part of the process. Expect to answer open-ended questions about your general habits, home life, eating habits, and activity level. These questions will serve as fuel to help you and your coach arrive at solutions that work for you and your lifestyle.
 
On the flip side, don’t expect your health coach to tell you exactly what you need to do. Health coaching isn’t about a professional sitting down with you and telling you to work out five times per week and eat at least three servings of vegetables every day. Rather, the goal is to help you develop long-term sustainable habits rather than teaching you how to live your life by a checklist.
 
Accountability
 
When you’re going it alone, it can be easy to slide into unhealthy habits. However, health coaching can give you that extra push to help you resist temptation. Before you reach for that extra cookie or scoop of ice cream, you’ll remember that you’ll be answering your health coach’s questions in the next few days. While different strategies work for everyone, if accountability helps you stay on track, health coaching might be a good fit for you.
 
Choosing the right coach
 
From stress management to improving your eating habits, health coaches offer a variety of specialties. Before you choose a health coach, review their resumes and biographies. A coach that matches your needs can be a boon to your health, and a coach that you’re comfortable with will likely be the best candidate to help you achieve your goals. To find health coaches in your area, consider contacting your insurance provider, or check with your employer to see if they offer health coaching as a benefit.
 
If you’re looking to make a positive change for your health, consider consulting a health and wellness coach.