Traditionally, we think of “coaching” as someone who devises tactics and game plans, tells us what to do and makes critical decisions to move a process or team forward. Health and wellness coaching is a little different from the traditional ide of coaching. Health and wellness coaching is a client-centered and collaborative process, meeting their clients where they are and providing support and accountability for where the client wants to go with their health and wellness journey. It is different from other health professionals who prescribe solutions, as the coach facilitates the process of change and hands over the responsibility to the client.
Health and wellness coaches will most often support clients as they explore goals around diet and nutrition, exercise, chronic disease management, sleep and stress management. Meetings are often client-led where the coach helps clients set and achieve their own health and wellness goals, in a way that is meaningful to the client and helps them adopt changes that fit their lifestyle and ideals. The skill of the health coach is helping their clients set goals, and then create and sustain lifestyle and habit changes to support those goals, changes they can maintain for a lifetime, or until they progress to new goals with their health and wellness.
But don’t take my word for it, here is what the Cleveland Clinic says about health and wellness coaching:
“Health and wellness coaches partner with clients seeking self-directed, lasting changes, aligned with their values, which promote health and wellness and, thereby, enhance well-being.” In practice, that means that health coaches facilitate the process of change.
A health coach can help you if you are struggling to get started or feel stuck or if have plateaued short of your desired goals. Your coach will support you and provide accountability, through messaging, email and/or regular meetings (in-person or virtual), generally over a period of at least three to six months (to facilitate successful change).
If you think that health and wellness coaching may be able to help you, please feel free to reach out about setting up a free 30-minute consultation where we can explore if health and wellness coaching is right for you and assess your readiness for change. Email me at willtochangecoaching@gmail.com.
Will To Change Health & Wellness Coaching 