A common FAQ surrounds what a coach can and cannot do. Coaches guide people to achieve their health and wellness goals. We are the cheerleaders, the educators and the support. Here is a good definition from the National Academy of Sports Medicine:

“A wellness coach’s job is to support an individual in the process of making those choices. It’s important to emphasize that wellness coaching is not prescriptive, meaning they don’t tell their clients what to do. Instead they help their client to examine their choices for themselves, moving along an iterative, personalized, and unique wellness journey. Wellness coaches understand the science behind the behaviors that build holistic wellness and wellbeing.  Then they use their unique gifts and expertise to support their clients. This coaching role is unique among health, fitness, and wellness professionals.”

I am not a doctor, a psychologist or a registered dietitian. I, of course, cannot diagnosis illness, prescribe medication or provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. Though, I can provide nutritional advice and guidance in most states. Please also read my disclaimer.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Making a lifestyle change can be a daunting task as an overwhelming amount of popular health trends are unsustainable at best – and at worst, even dangerous. However, promising results of a study conducted by Mayo Clinic experts suggests that one of these latest trends, wellness coaching, can produce substantial lifestyle improvements that align with an individual’s personal values, and foster confidence to sustain these changes after the program has concluded.

Wellness coaches are trained professionals who help individuals identify values and make customized changes in order to manage stress, begin or maintain healthy habits and improve their overall quality of life. One of the reasons wellness coaching can be uniquely successful is that the focus isn’t necessarily on weight management or fitness. People usually begin wellness programs to lose weight – but according to the study’s lead author, Psychologist and Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program medical expert Matthew Clark, Ph. D., L.P., what often begins as a short-term goal evolves into clinically meaningful improvements such as stress reduction, sleep improvement, increased spiritual connection, and quality of life that is sustained long after the wellness program has been completed.”

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is what will we actually be going. In general, we will meet via Zoom or on the phone. During the session, we will go through a variety of tools to examine your behavior as well as your mental and emotional reactions to that behavior. We will create action plans, brainstorm solutions, and troubleshoot potential barriers to achieving your goal. I am a support to provide information, motivation and guidance, but the job is really yours to decide what works for you. This is “client-centered” coaching.

Here is a general outline:
• We will start with a “celebration” (one good thing you are celebrating that day) so we start on a positive note.
• Then we are going to work on a wellness vision statement. What does wellness look like to you?
• Then we will look at goals to get to that vision. We will set actions to get to that goal.
• We will identify barriers that might impede those actions and strengths you can leverage to overcome them.
• We will find a way to measure progress towards your goal. We assess your level of commitment and confidence on the plan.
• We will end with next steps (follow-up meeting etc).

In between sessions, you may also get a text on Mondays to remind you to be mindful and a wellness tip on Wednesdays. You will also get unlimited text support from me if you have questions or need inspiration. You may also have “homework” or need to do things to take action on your goals.

The New York Times has a nice summary of some benefits, but some include:
• Improved patient outcomes
• Improved management of chronic conditions
• Reduced healthcare costs
• Support in your healthcare journey and increased feelings of connection with someone who wants you to reach deep health
• Increased ability to reach your goals and sustain good habits
• Improved understanding of health and wellness topics and information