WHAT IS A FUNCTIONAL HEALTH COACH?

A functional health coach is a wellness expert who mentors and guides clients on their journey from diagnosis to transformation. They use the principles of Functional Medicine to uncover and address the root causes of health issues, such as inflammation, toxins, diet, and lifestyle. They work collaboratively with clients and their health care team to create and implement personalized plans that support their goals. They also offer support, education, accountability, and resources to empower clients to make and sustain the necessary changes to their health.

When you work with a functional health coach, you know you are going to get a professional whose ultimate goal is to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms, and who will be an encouraging authority to keep you on track. Health coaching isn’t about someone telling you what to do, “A health coach shows up for you in whatever way you need.”

A health coach is your personal health cheerleader, guide and partner. They help you implement lifestyle changes to improve your physical health.

The service is often available through corporate wellness programs. Your doctor may also recommend health coaching if you have chronic health issue like diabetes. Or you may hire a health coach to help you achieve a wellness goal like getting fit.

Health coaches typically address six key areas that affect wellness, with topics branching off into other categories. The six key areas are: 1) Smoking 2) Stress 3) Nutrition 4) Sleep 5) Activity 6)Time Management.

If one of those areas is out of balance, it’s likely the others are as well. Someone who isn’t very physically active may also be highly stressed, not sleeping soundly at night or not eating well. Combined, it can feel overwhelming.

Health coaches help people sort out where to start and make small changes that grow over time.

A health coach helps you create goals by looking at what stage of change you’re in and what action you’re ready to take. It’s about self-discovery. A health coach just leads you in putting the pieces together for yourself. You figure out how to make the changes that work for your life.

WHAT DOES A HEALTH COACH DO?

A health coach gets you “unstuck” by helping you figure out what’s keeping you from reaching your health goals. Your coach regularly checks in with you by email, phone calls or in-person meetings, usually over the course of at least three months. During those conversations, a health coach asks questions to get you thinking about how you can overcome challenges.

The most common obstacle people face is their own thoughts about themselves and about change. Through motivational interviewing health coaches help people work through some of their thoughts. People find out what’s blocking them from following through with the changes they’d like to see.

For example, say your doctor wants you to eat more fruits and vegetables. A health coach might start by asking questions like:

•              On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most, how important is it for you to make this change?

•              What feels reasonable for you?

•              What is blocking you or what challenges might you face in following through?

•              What’s your home life like?

•              What plan can we put together so that you can follow through with getting more fruits and vegetables?

Health coaching isn’t about someone telling you what to do It’s someone who’s respecting your terms and your reasons for wanting — or not wanting — to change. A health coach shows up for you in whatever way you need.

BENEFITS OF HEALTH COACHING:

Change is often difficult, even when it’s something we really want. Sometimes it even feels downright impossible. The benefit of health coaching is having someone in your corner to help you through it, and research shows it works.

One study found that people who went through three months of health coaching significantly improved:

•          Blood pressure.

•          Cholesterol.

•          Glucose (blood sugar).

•          Triglycerides (blood fat).

•          Body weight.

•          Cardiovascular fitness.

A health coach can help when you feel like nothing you’ve done on your own has worked. Or give you a boost if you’re feeling overwhelmed, discouraged or like you don’t have enough time.

“Often, a person might leave a doctor’s appointment and feel discouraged. Like, ‘Gosh, I have to lose all this weight,’ or ‘Now I have all these things I have to do’. A health coach can help people see they have strengths they can use to start making changes. We help them see the possibilities based on their unique situation and abilities so that it’s simpler and easier to make sustainable changes.

A health coach also provides:

•          Accountability: Knowing that you have to check in with another person about your progress can give you the push you need to move forward.

•          Encouragement: Health coaches act as cheerleaders to pick you up when you’re having a not-so-good day.

•          Unconditional support: A health coach doesn’t judge your actions. They help you come to your own conclusions about what works and what doesn’t help you reach your goals.

Setting and reaching health goals can be challenging. But health coaches can help you move past barriers. Switching to a healthier lifestyle can affect everything. With increased energy and motivation, you’ll be able to do more, be there for others and live life to the fullest.