What is a Health Coach?
Ok……. so, What is a Health Coach?
INTEGRATIVE NUTRITION HEALTH COACHES HAVE A UNIQUE VIEW ON WHAT CONSTITUTES HEALTHY LIVING.
Many people think that being healthy is a combination of eating well and exercising, having regular check ups and getting enough sleep. While of course, we agree that this is a brilliant start, we now know that there is so much more to your health, that is often overlooked.
We have learnt that health isn’t just about what’s on our plate. We are also (and almost more importantly) fed by our relationships, our career, our social connections, how we move our bodies and our belief in something bigger than us.
Think about our children – they need good sleep, they need love and security, they love interaction and just as importantly play, fun and laughter can change their day! Food is almost an afterthought to them most of the time. Somehow along the way, we have lost sight of these other elements of our health.
You might be what appears on the outside, to be healthy. But deep down, you don’t feel like you used to. It can’t all be about getting older – you know that there has to be more….
SO WHAT DOES A HEALTH COACH DO?
The job of a coach is to guide you in making small and sustainable changes to improve your health, both on and off your plate.
A good coach will give you the tools to navigate through your life and health without the need to resort to crazy diets, punishing workout routines or drastic lifestyle changes.
She will support you through the period of growth where you stop being a person who knows what to do, but doesn’t take action, to someone who is accountable and is moving towards their goals.
She will nurture your emotional well-being and help you to handle stress in ways that work for you.
She will work with you to come up with a way of eating that is nutritious, easy and enjoyable. There will be no restriction or eating foods that you don’t enjoy the taste of. And she’ll help you understand that nourishment is more than just food.
WHAT DOESN’T SHE DO?
A Health Coach isn’t a nutritionist or dietician. They cannot prescribe you medication or deal with terminal disease.
In times of ill health, a doctor will use a health intervention to stop the disease, remove the offending infection or stop whatever is causing pain. A health coach is there for prevention, not intervention, to increase your quality of life right now and help lessen the likelihood of preventable disease in the future.
While a doctor or medical practitioner looks after you during ill-health, a health coach helps you achieve wellness.
DO I REALLY NEED A HEALTH COACH? WELL, LET’S PONDER THIS…
Football teams have coaches, business executives have mentors and many people hire personal trainers to help them achieve their fitness goals. It is commonplace to employ someone to hold you accountable, to stretch you and to explore beyond your own level of knowledge.
None of these coaches do the actual work – that’s totally up to the individual. They do just what they’re trained to – to guide, coach and provide support from the sidelines.
It can be so tricky out there with the plethora of information around health available…..from Intermittent Fasting, to Paleo, Vegan or Keto; should I do HIIT, pilates, running or yoga? What has Inflammation, Auto-immunity or even my genetics got to do with me? and should I be meditating???…. No wonder people are confused!
A Health Coach is there to guide you through the maze. She will take your hand and support you in figuring out what is right for you. Not only in the food you eat, but the mindset you employ while you navigate all areas of your health.
If you’re feeling like you need some support and someone to hold you accountable for your own health, email us at hello@soulsisterhealth.com.au to join our Waitlist to learn more about the launch of our Health Coach offerings in 2024!
We cannot wait to work with you soon to bring your health goals to life!
Anna & Em xo
