What is a Health Coach, and what is it not? I wouldn’t know what a Health Coach is all about if I was not a health coach, myself. My job as a health coach is to transform the way my clients see food and health, and to guide my clients to make better choices. Health coaching is not about having all the answers, but it is about asking the right questions and listening. If a client does not want to change, it will be difficult to have change happen.
I stick to a few core principles. I recognize that everyone is different, and one persons’ passion is another persons’ poison. I’m not going to turn you into a Vegan if you love meat and if it supports you. I encourage clients to eat real foods, and I reinforce all aspects of health including a client’s relationships, home life, physical health, career, spirituality, and joy.
When I work with a client, I learn about all aspects of their health and what might be blocking better health. Then we get to work by meeting every two weeks. I develop suggestions based on the clients’ goals. For example, a goal is not “I want to lose weight”. I goal might be “I want to feel happier and I want to be able to keep pace with my family and friends.” Losing weight is just one thing that will help the client reach their goals. There are a number of things to consider for good health and I take a step-by-step approach.
I make sure the client:
- stabilizes blood sugar levels, by regulating hunger and satisfaction, by eating a balanced diet including fiber and protein, throughout the day.
- calms inflammation by balancing good and bad fats and eliminating sugar and refined carbohydrates.
- adds volume to crowd out unhelpful “food-like” products adding in lots of greens and non-starchy vegetables, and uses oil based salad dressings for fullness.
- adds fulfilling, nourishing habits to crowd out unhelpful habits.
- satisfies cravings by being in touch with cravings and learns how to satisfy them healthfully
- adds physical activity and create a mind-body connection, encourage more “movement” vs. “exercise”, and encourage you to work your muscles for to help increase metabolism.
- keeps track of what, when and how they eat, which leads to greater awareness of their relationship with food.
- gets cooking to support eating real food, not something processed.
I aim to be authentic, truly listen, be flexible, and meet my clients where they are without judgment. I am ready and willing to refer my clients to other health practitioners when necessary. This is about them and their goals, not me.