Reviewed by Brian St. Pierre, MS, RD
Health coaching goes beyond diet and exercise advice.
To improve your health, a good health coach will not only consider your physical needs, but also your goals, personal preferences and overall value system.
There are many reasons why you might decide to work with a health coach, but many people don't consider how much a health coach can help—and HOW they can help.
Below, we'll look at four ways a health coach can benefit you that you may not have known about.
First, what is a health coach?
A health coach is a guide, someone who helps you cultivate and maintain healthy habits to meet your individual needs and goals. They work with you to set personalized goals, create action plans, establish accountability, and make sure you understand the strategies you will use to create positive change.
Health coaches treat various health concerns. Their role goes beyond giving advice – they actively support you in implementing sustainable lifestyle changes.
From losing weight to relieving stress or managing a health crisis, a health coach can help you take charge of your life for the better.
4 lesser-known reasons to work with a health coach
There are many reasons to hire a health coach, but here are some you may not have considered.
Reason #1: You are recovering from an injury that affects your movement.
If you've already completed physical therapy, engaging a health coach may be the next logical step to a sustainable recovery. Health coaches are not a substitute for medical care. However, they can support individuals looking to maintain — or even gain — mobility, muscle mass, and overall athletic ability.
A health coach will work with you to develop a personalized plan that matches your physical abilities as well as any limitations advised by your doctor or physical therapist. They can guide you toward healthy movement patterns through tailored exercise and lifestyle adjustments that complement your recovery.
Many health coaches are experts in injury recovery. They provide support and motivation to help you navigate the challenges of rebuilding strength and mobility after injury. They also know how to address the mental and emotional dimensions of recovery for your overall well-being, which we'll discuss in more detail below.
Reason #2: You are interested in improving your deep health.
While you may have heard that health coaches can help with fitness and nutrition, what may separate them from many personal trainers or nutritionists is their holistic approach.
Health coaches recognize the interconnectedness of various factors that contribute to your overall well-being, including stress, sleep, and mental health.
They work with you to identify areas that may be affecting your overall well-being, including your work and relationships, and collaboratively devise strategies to address them.
(To read more about Deep Health, PN's term for thriving in all areas of life, see: Deep Health Assessment: How is your health… REALLY?)
Reason #3: You want to be an active participant in your health and wellness.
Partnering with a health coach gives you the opportunity to take a more active role in your health. This dynamic relationship allows you to take control of your well-being while also benefiting from the guidance and expertise of a professional.
A health coach can help you discover and develop your own “owner's manual,” and you can use this awareness and awareness to continue making decisions that support your unique needs and goals.
Your health coach serves as a resource to provide you with valuable insight and knowledge about self-care and goal setting. They will share with you the tools to better understand your needs so you can make informed choices that align with your health goals. Through two-way communication, your comments, questions, concerns and thoughts are actively integrated into your wellness process.
Reason #4: You're focused on your long-term health.
While immediate health concerns often prompt individuals to seek support, the lasting impact of a health coach lies in their ability to guide you toward practices that prevent chronic disease and negative health impacts for the rest of your life.
In addition to healthy eating practices, this includes maintaining muscle tone to increase your balance and stability, thus helping to prevent falls or other injuries as you grow older.
A health coach will work with you to develop sustainable habits tailored to your lifestyle, abilities, preferences, stage of life, what foods you enjoy or avoid, and more.
Think of a health coach as an investment in your well-being for many years to come.
How to choose a health coach
If you've decided that a health coach could benefit you, be sure to do your research and select a few options that you can interview one-on-one. Look for coaches with a track record of helping clients in situations similar to yours.
Discuss their ability to tailor their approach and make sure they can answer any questions you may have about what makes your situation unique.
A good health coach should also ask you a lot of questions in return. They also want to make sure the relationship is a good fit and understand your circumstances and history. When you talk to a health coach, be sure to be open and honest about your goals, your lifestyle, and your expectations of the partnership.
Remember that this is a collaborative and supportive relationship. So effective communication is key. Work with someone who listens well and gives reasonable, actionable answers that make sense to you. You need to like your health coach and further feel like they are trustworthy and comfortable to be around.
We are here to help you achieve your goals
The health coaches at Precision Nutrition are certified experts who can help you achieve your long-term health goals.
They meet you where you are and tailor programs that focus on your individual needs and lifestyle. our Precision Nutrition 1:1 training program is designed to keep you motivated, help you develop positive habits and see results.
Learn more today about how to work with us so you can feel better.
