Green Street With HCW: Health Coach Defined

BY SHIRLEY-ANN CHINONYE A

 

HEALTH COACH DEFINED

A health coach is a supportive guide, mentor and wellness authority who empowers clients to take responsibility for their health and achievements of their personal wellness goals. We are hired for support and transformation and not to learn the technical breakdown of food.

I never take the place of a medical practitioner by diagnosing, treating or taking responsibility for bringing wellness changes in a client’s life; rather, a health coach encourages positive changes within client-driven wellness goals by looking at an individual and or the body as a whole and not an integral part. Health coaches believe in the use of holistic approach to bring health and happiness by looking at the diet, exercise, spirituality, career, relationship etc. of an individual.

Health coaches’ help by complementing medical practitioners by being fully patient centered; developing a program to address an individual patient’s needs, incorporate self-discovery and active listening process, encourages accountability for behaviors, and provides education to patients along using coaching process. It is important to note that health coaches play an essential role in preventing diseases and even reversing diseases by bringing about wellness which we achieve by filling the void in the current health care system as we understand the role and relationship between food and nutrition and lifestyle change, complementing medical professionals as no time is dedicated to discussing diet-related concerns, doctors therefore give little or no help in this aspect.

MY PROGRAM

The program consists of an initial free health consultation that lasts for 50 minutes which involves taking detailed information of the client, discussing answers written there-in and identifying areas of work. It is important to note that prospective clients are referred to the right medical professional charged with the responsibility of providing such health care without delay if their health issues are beyond my area of expertise. For example, individuals with mental issues, cancer, kidney failures should be referred to medical professionals who will best handle their conditions. I never claim to cure a disease but I can make recommendations and suggestions if followed diligently, will bring healing and health. The truth remains that the same diet and life style suggestions/recommendations will help one get well no matter the disease.

The program ranges from a period of 3-6 months and beyond; this is so because the body must be allowed to follow the process gradually as its no magic. The extended period of coaching sessions help the client build and develop healthy habits while gradually enjoying the process and transformation. It is important to note that we are aimed at building healthy habits and not restrictions on any of the classes of food. Dietary theories are introduced to client and they get to decide what works perfectly for them following their symptoms. At the end of the free consultation and both parties agree to work together, program price and payment procedures, schedules, goals are agreed upon and signed hence, making both parties binding.

For either of the programs selected (3 or 6 months), sessions are held twice every month for 50 minutes each. The program consists of:

• 2 Healthy cooking classes.
• 3-4 recommendations/task to complete before the next session.
• 1 Pantry store tour.
• Emails/calls between session for overall support
• Wellness materials.

N.B. Program can be in-person or online.

My program can benefit the following people:

1. Obese, overweight or underweight people.
2. Individuals with food allergies, intolerance or sensitivities.
3. Highly stressed and busy individuals that practice poor habits.
4. People with medical conditions like diabetics, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level and auto-immune disorder.
5. People with eating disorders like binge eating, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa.
6. Individuals with digestive distresses including bloating, gas, constipation, acid reflux, systems of inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, gall stone etc.
7. Parents and children who are trying to follow healthier habits.
8. Individuals with low energy, sugar cravings, depression etc.

Understand that there are certain scopes we follow while coaching people. They include:

1. Suggests a client ask their doctors about alternative medications.
2. Get a second doctors opinion when confused about a particular condition.
3. Do suggest ways to crowd out caffeine, sugar, alcohol, tobacco, junk food and diary.
4. Do work with adults but get authorization from a legal guardian to work with children.
5. Do recommend super foods, multivitamins and mineral supplements.
6. Do encourage clients to begin gentle, low risk exercise changes such as walking.
7. Do advice clients to engage in self-reflection and experience nature.
8. Do recommend that client explore new hobbies and interests.

Our veggies, smoothies and all the named healthiest foods in the world wouldn’t benefit us if the primary aspect of our nourishment is not properly taken care of. There are basically two types of nourishments: Primary nourishment and secondary nourishment. The primary nourishment is such that doesn’t appear on a plate but it feeds us; it is the solid building blocks to achieving superior health.

The more primary foods we receive in the area of the following:

1. Relationship with family, children, spouses, colleagues, neighbors.
2. Career fulfillment: This is doing the work that is fulfilling for us.
3. Spirituality: We are encouraged to increase our spiritual practice.
4. Physical activity: This is encouraging clients to incorporate movements into their daily activities, the less we will depend on the secondary foods of life.

While the secondary aspect of nourishment comes in form of the food we eat. The institute for Integrative Nutrition IINrecommends this plate for overall nourishment.

IIN PLATE

Relationship                                       physical activity

fruits whole grains vegetables protein

Spirituality                                           career                                                   water                    fats & oil

Secondary nutrition is thus:

• Eat less
• Move more
• Eat the rainbow (fruits and vegetables)
• Minimize junk foods

As we consider this write up, it is important to remember Bio-Individuality-The theory that one person’s food is another man’s poison and this is based on age gender, race, blood type and our level of physical activity.

 

  

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Mobile Nos: 09034425216  08104511452. e-mail: healthcoachhepzibah@gmail.com