What is “Healthy” and How Can Health Coaches Help?
The 12 areas of your life (primary foods) that directly affect your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
Health is determined by many things, it is not just how much you exercise or the foods you eat. In actuality, food is secondary to things like how happy you are with your social life, relationships, health, career, education, and how much joy you have in your life.
Here’s an example of how primary foods (the 12 shown in the wheel image) can fuel us: Children often argue that they aren’t hungry and would prefer to continue playing…this is not an act of defiance at its core, but rather than the appetite or need for food has been temporarily shut off because the child is being fueled by other areas of life (in this case probably joy, creativity, or physical activity) that produce things like endorphins and adrenaline. Both of which encourage health and wellness in our bodies.
Because there are so many different areas that contribute to your health, it’s important that your health coach assess the 12 different areas of your life that affect your health, and strategize how to balance your wellbeing in all of the areas. With you, I look at the foods you’re eating and where we can adjust to help you reach your health and wellness goals - in all areas of your life.
Here are some common examples of my clients’ health/wellness goals:
Better energy levels throughout the day
Falling asleep easier and sleeping better
Stop craving certain foods
Lose or gain weight in specific parts of your body
Learn to manage stress better
Eliminate bothersome symptoms
Decrease bloating
Address allergies
Find a sense of purpose in life
…and so many more.
In my health coach sessions, we start by reviewing your Health History form, talking a little deeper about each item and how it plays a role in your daily life. Then, we discuss your motivations for getting healthier and how I can help keep that motivation intact. We talk about what’s standing in the way of you getting what you want so that we can find the right path for you. Since each person, and each body is different, each session is tailored to exactly what your body needs.
At the end of the first session, we set 2-3 goals and create an approachable path towards reaching those goals. Each session after that is spent checking in on progress, talking through the areas of your life that need balance and finding tools to help do so, optimizing foods you’re eating, and celebrating your successes. We can also review bloodwork you’ve had done with your doctor, to see if your diet needs supplementation of any vitamins, minerals, essential fats/acids, etc.
Health coaching ends up being a blend of nutrition coaching, life coaching, and therapy-like conversations, depending on what areas of your life and body need rebalancing in order to achieve your highest potential for health.
So how do you know if health coaching is right for you?
Health Coaching is the way to go if:
If you’re looking to make changes in your life but haven’t been able to do it quickly enough
If you don’t have the time to become an expert on a condition you’re experiencing
If you’ve felt like doctors haven’t listened to you to help eliminate symptoms
If you feel stuck or frustrated with your life in some way
If you’re ready to make changes but need guidance or accountability and support
If you’ve been told you should rely on pharmaceuticals to manage unwanted symptoms
If you’re feeling lost or exhausted with how to get life back on track
If you feel like you don’t have someone in your corner you can count on
If you’d like to learn more about health coaching with an Integrative Nutrition Coach, send me a message below - I’d love to talk! My passion is helping people meet their goals for wellness, happiness, and longevity.
Be well,
Mia