Many people set ambitious goals to improve physical and mental well-being as they start new chapters in life. But they typically fall short when it comes to pursuing them.

Busy schedules can often prevent you from realizing your health goals. A lack of motivation, knowledge, and resources could also contribute to it. This is where a health coach can help you.

Today, health coaching is a $15.2 billion global industry, and it is growing fast as more and more people make their well-being a priority. But what do health coaches do, and how can they help you with your goals? If you are new to this topic, keep reading to find out more.

What Is Health Coaching

In simple terms, a health coach will help you identify and achieve your health goals. But the work they do is far more complex than what may appear at the outset.

These professionals usually start their sessions with an interview to understand your lifestyle and challenges. They will guide you to refine your goals, whether it involves improving your diet, adopting a regular fitness regime, changing poor lifestyle habits, or managing stress.

They will then assist you in identifying obstacles that prevent you from achieving your goals and work with you to prepare a practical plan and schedule that best fits your lifestyle and ambitions. A health coach would also equip you with the knowledge, insights, tools, and techniques required to achieve each milestone.

Throughout this process, they will provide you with support, motivation, and encouragement and accompany you on your journey toward realizing your health-related aspirations. They will also hold you accountable so you don’t give up when things get challenging.

Health coaches are trained and certified professionals who often develop long-term work relationships with their clients, guiding them to achieve consistent positive changes in their lives. The programs they create are more practical than theoretical in nature and are customized to suit the needs of each client.

How Can a Health Coach Help You With Your Health Goals?

If you are unfamiliar with the activities carried out by health coaches, you are likely wondering how they can help you and what benefits you can expect.

Here are some of the notable ways these professionals can support you in your path to health, happiness, and vitality.

Guide you in goal-setting

According to the University of Scranton, 92% of individuals never achieve their goals. Failure to set practical goals is a primary reason for it.

A health coach can help you in this area by guiding you to define in detail what you would like to achieve. For example, if you are looking to lose weight, an experienced coach can work closely with you to identify how much you should shed. They will set practical timelines for achieving it and determine the essential steps you must take to get there. In other words, these professionals can support you in setting up goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

Provide the necessary tools and techniques

A lot of the time, a lack of knowledge and resources is a barrier to realizing your health aspirations. This is why some people follow one dieting regime after another to lose weight or pursue fitness regimes that eventually lead to injuries.

But when you hire a health coach, they will provide science-backed and evidence-based tips, techniques, tools, and strategies that deliver results.

Create a customized program that works

Motivation, lifestyle, and health factors can vary significantly among individuals. Health coaches understand this well. So, they design tailored programs for each client instead of following a blanket approach.

Moreover, these professionals are highly flexible in their approach to helping clients. For example, they can offer both group sessions and personal coaching and carry out consultations in their offices, at your home, or even via Zoom calls. All these add greater convenience, allowing you to schedule coaching sessions based on your specific requirements.

Help make positive lifestyle changes

Many health goals cannot be addressed in isolation. They require consistent lifestyle improvements with a holistic approach.

For example, let’s say you need support with stress management. High stress levels can occur due to a variety of factors—from taking on too many responsibilities and being disorganized to having high expectations. Even a constant lack of sleep can affect your mood. A health coach could help you identify the relevant causes and guide you to make the necessary changes for a healthier and happier life.

Hold you accountable

Reaching your goals will involve challenging and unpleasant choices and actions—it is never easy to wake up early to go for a jog or cut down on your favorite sugary treats to lose weight. So, there is always a chance you will slip and return to your old routine, giving up on your ambitious health goals.

But when you have a health coach, they will check in with you regularly, follow up on your progress, hold you accountable, and see you through to the end of the program.

Where Can You Find a Health Coach?

Not all health coaches are certified. Finding a qualified and licensed professional with substantial experience is essential for effectively achieving your health aspirations.

• Ask for a recommendation from friends, family, and colleagues. You may also reach out to your social media groups.
• Search for a certified professional on Leadar.
• Speak to gym instructors and medical practitioners to find contacts.
• Look for health retreats that employ qualified health coaches. They may also offer pre-arranged and customized programs that fit your needs.

Before selecting a health coach, review their certifications and seek references. Considering your requirements is also important. For example, you may want someone who could visit your home or would work alongside a medical professional. Ensure the person you select can accommodate your needs.

Key Takeaways

If you constantly struggle to realize your health goals, hiring a health coach could be an excellent idea to keep you on track with a structured program. They can help set practical goals, provide tools and strategies to guide you, create a workable program that fits your needs, support you in making critical lifestyle changes, and hold you accountable along the way.

However, expertise and certifications can significantly vary among health coaches. Therefore, identifying your health requirements is essential before you seek a qualified professional.