11 Oct Health Coaching: what to expect after you’ve hired one
What should I expect if I hire a health coach?
You made the commitment and hired a health coach. What happens now? I’ve tried to provide you with a brief description of what the experience is like based on my personal experience or how its been described to me by health coaches and others who have used the services of a heath coach and were satisfied with those services. Remember that a coach, like a personal trainer or group fitness instructor, is there to help guide and encourage you on your health and fitness journey, but ultimately it is you that has to put in the work and make the changes to see results. The more committed you are to your own success, the more you will get our of hiring a coach.
The Initial Consultation
This is the opportunity to interview each other and make sure this is someone who you can relate to, you can get along with and who relates to you! Your health coach should be someone who wants to see you succeed and reach your goals and be able to work within any parameters you have. If you’re a vegetarian or strictly non-diary, you’re getting ready to run a marathon; Your coach should have the experience and/or knowledge to work around that or have access to information to ultimately help you or refer you to someone who can. Remember coaches are here to help you develop lifestyle and behavioral changes, they should be able to understand your unique circumstances and be able to help you find workable solutions when issues arise, and there will be issues. Finding the right coach is very much like dating, in that this person is going to be involved in your life; making sure you ‘click’ is important, and if you aren’t feeling the ‘spark’, don’t be afraid to move on and try a different coach.
What should I expect at my first appointment?
First off, a health coach should take a health inventory, including medical history, a list of current medications, and any family medical issues that would be relevant (high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc). Your current weight and body measurements (including photos) should be collected, along with lifestyle information (how active are you every day, work routine, do you work out at a gym, etc). After all that information is gathered, you and your coach will discuss realistic goals for your progress and specific markers to be watching. Once you’ve set realistic goals, the work begins.
You will have to maintain a food diary. There is no way around this. It is imperative that you consistently measure and record your nutrition as accurately as possible. It’s hard to change eating behaviors without identifying the behaviors in the first place. Usually the first week the coach will ask you to eat normally, but measure and record anything and everything that you eat, even gum and water. This sets your baseline. From there, using the information you provided regarding your activity level and body composition, the coach will develop a nutrition and fitness plan designed especially for you. Usually the nutrition is in the forms of macros (carbohydrates, protein and fats) numbers that you will be responsible for trying to keep your daily caloric intake within.
These numbers will change as you progress, or not. Try not to compare your numbers with what other peoples numbers are. Remember that this plan was designed specifically for you based on the data you provided. And you are unique. If there was one diet that universally worked for every body, we wouldn’t need the plethora of diets that exist today.
Progress comes in many forms, therefore your coach will ask you to submit certain measurements, weights and photos so that you can both see the changes from all aspects. Usually this data will be collected by you at specific intervals.
You should expect to check-in with your coach to some degree every 7 to 10 days, usually a 10 to 15 minute phone call, through a messaging app. on your phone, or even Skype, if your coach offers it, and some even are available for face to face weekly consults. This is the time to ask your coach questions about your nutrition, discuss any ways you are struggling, celebrate your victories and work out solutions for any issues and make a plan for the next step. Your coach should be positive and caring about your progress and how your are managing this as a lifestyle change.
There are some coaches that even offer webinars or special events to discuss grocery shopping hints, cooking tips and some offer work outs specialized for you to do on your own, or will work with your trainer. Health coaches may recommend protein or fiber supplements or other hacks to help you reach your goals. However, always consult with your medical team before adding any supplements, vitamins, or minerals to your diet, and a health coach should not require you to purchase meal replacements or supplements through them as a condition of coaching.
Shop around and find the health coach that is right for you, and the program that fits your lifestyle. Dreams are goals with a plan. Coaching can help you develop and stick to the plan, and reach those goals.
Once again, below are some health coaches I am happy to recommend, as well as the ACE Fitness link so you can learn more about health coaching certifications.
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