Fitness and wellness goals are easy to set, and tough to keep. What if you had a little extra help?
Consider talking with a wellness coach.
Wellness coaches can help people identify:
- What they want to change.
- Why they want to make a change.
- What creates the gap between where a person is now and where that person wants to be.
Many people already know what they need to do to change. But figuring out how to implement those changes in everyday life can be challenging.
If you’re curious about wellness coaching, keep reading for answers to some common questions about the practice.
How can a wellness coach help me?
I’ve been a certified wellness coach for 13 years, and I’ve seen wellness coaching help people:
- Create an individualized wellness plan unique to their needs and desires.
- Improve their health metrics.
- Stay healthy and well during life transitions such as changing careers, birth of a child and retirement.
- Find ways to be happy and healthy — without living what they describe as an overly restrictive lifestyle.
- Gain confidence in their ability to take action toward change.
- Get back on track after setbacks.
Does a wellness coach tell me what to do and how to fix my problems?
As a coach, I aim to cultivate an environment and working relationship in which you can come to your own decisions on the next best step forward.
I will help you explore the challenges and benefits of changing, and partner with you to brainstorm options and new perspectives to foster growth. With new development comes opportunities to see things differently and, as a result, act differently.
There are many helpful professions aimed at educating and sharing expert advice. However, coaches walk alongside you, help you filter the education and advice, and create an individualized approach to health and well-being that fits your specific needs.
What topics can wellness coaching cover?
Wellness is multifaceted and very individual. Your wellness coach will start by helping you understand what wellness means to you. When looking at your wellness, any area of your life that impacts your overall health and well-being is important to consider.
Your individual definition of wellness might include relationships, occupation or professional activities, education and learning, movement, stress management, spirituality, financial stability, and more.
From here, collectively, you and your coach discuss which areas of your wellness are thriving — and which areas might need some help.
Do I need workout clothes or shoes for a session with a wellness coach?
No workout gear is required! Wellness coaches are experts in collaborative behavior change through relationship and conversation.
How do I pick a wellness coach? Do I just look on Instagram?
The title wellness coach is not accredited, meaning any person can call themself a wellness coach right now. If you are interested in working with a wellness coach, it’s a good idea to find someone certified by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. This distinction is noted by the letters NBC-HWC after the coach’s name and is currently the highest level of credentialing for health and wellness coaching. To qualify for this accreditation, wellness coaches meet minimum education, training and practice hour requirements to become board certified, and they must maintain regular continuing education training.
How do I know if a wellness coach is a good fit?
Wellness coaching is a relationship-based practice. When determining if you and your wellness coach are a good fit, consider:
- Do you feel comfortable talking with your wellness coach and sharing about yourself? Opening up to others can take time; but ideally, when you’ll feel comfortable being open and honest, feel like time moves quickly, feel like an active participant in your behavior change, and look forward to your sessions.
- Do you notice your coach actively listening? Your coach should be curious and ask questions, provide you space to respond and think through new thoughts and ideas, and share back with you what they heard.
- Does your coach check in and ask for feedback? Because wellness coaching is a collaborative process, your coach may invite you to share what is working well in the process and in the relationship and what, if anything, could be improved. Being open to sharing feedback with your coach and asking questions about the coaching process is another sign that you feel comfortable and trust your coach.
If you feel you are partners — equally invited to participate and walk alongside each other through the change process — your coaching relationship is off to a great start!
Relevant reading
Man Overboard!
For every man – regardless of hair pattern, shoe size or IPA preference – Man Overboard! by Mayo Clinic Press helps you understand your health and live your best life with this humorous but authoritative manual for the aging male.
