What is a health coach?
A health coach is someone who guides and supports you to help you achieve your optimal well-being. This is typically done through intent listening, understanding your current lifestyle, setting goals, and helping you to find – and maintain – your motivation to reach them. A health coach will work with you to co-create a plan with your goals in mind then support you every step along the way.
A common misconception is that health coaches create a plan for you. Most people who hear the term think of someone who just hands out a meal plan or exercise plan. Although there certainly are people who do these things, they should be reserved for registered dieticians and those with degrees in exercise science. When a plan is co-created, you find you are more invested in it, and it is something that you feel is attainable.
In which areas of my life/health can Elizabeth help support me?
Elizabeth is trained to work with individuals in all aspects of health and wellness. Whether it is with looking into nutrition, exercise/movement, stress, sleep, time management, or social well-being and relationships, Elizabeth can come alongside you to help you make a change.
How Can a Health Coach Like Elizabeth Help?
Making lifestyle changes is hard. Really hard. A health coach can make it easier by providing education and support, as well as helping you to understand and dig into what motivates you. They meet you where you are at and help you to uncover how to get to where you want to be. Participating in health coaching also helps you maintain the progress you’ve already made, and for some, to dream even bigger and set new, higher goals.
If all that sounds too “lofty” and you’re curious about the more nitty-gritty difference health coaching can make, this part is for you. Studies have shown that health coaching makes a big difference on patients’ physiological, behavioral, and psychological well-being, especially with weight management and increased physical activity. It’s also shown to have a positive impact on social life and mental health status.
She is ready to help by:
- Educating about behavior change, diet, lifestyle, and other pillars of health
- Assisting in implementing care plans prescribed by healthcare providers
- Motivating using positive psychology
- Providing tools and accountability to implement changes
- Guiding through dietary changes
- Celebrating each success and encouraging forward progress
Choosing a Coach
“Health coach” is a broad title and in Minnesota, there is no single law about who can call themselves a health coach. Unfortunately, this means that people who have no formal training can promote themselves as a coach. In fact, we see it happen often, especially with the increase in wellness-related direct sales positions.
Before jumping in and purchasing coaching sessions, have a conversation with the coach. Learn their credentials, ask about how they ended up doing what they do, and how their work with you compares to the work they do with others. This conversation can also help you get a feel for whether the coach will be a good fit for you. If you don’t get the right “vibe” during the conversation, keep your options open. A coach that works well with your personality can make a world of difference.
Red Flags When Choosing a Coach
There are several “red flags” to be aware of when you’re looking for a coach:
- They take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every body is different. No one diet, shake, meal plan, or lifestyle is best for the entire population, and neither is one exercise routine.
- They don’t ask about your medical history. A health coach should get to know you, your situation, and your goals, and work with you to create a plan from there.
- They prescribe any supplements, meal replacements, or meal plans. Unless they are a registered dietitian, licensed nutritionist, or otherwise licensed healthcare provider, they should not prescribe anything.
- They don’t check in with you to see how you feel about the plan and your ability to stick to it.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Elizabeth, call our front desk at 952-949-0676.
