Reviewed by Brian St. Pierre, MS, RD
You can learn it all by yourself…right?
In other words, what is the point of working with a health coach when there are books and free online articles and videos available?
Well, there are a few points…
Health coaches offer unique knowledge and insight that can help you in ways you can’t necessarily get on your own: They can fill in the nutrition and exercise gaps you might overlook, make sure you’re sticking to your intentions, and suggest solutions (and emotional support) when you hit the inevitable roadblocks.
In fact, hiring a health coach may be one of the best decisions you can make for your long-term health.
Keep reading to find out 11 (good) reasons to work with a health coach.
Firstly, what is a health coach?
Health coaches are passionate wellness professionals who can help you reach your goals.
Health coaches have the expertise to create safe and effective programs based on a solid foundation in exercise science, anatomy and physiology. Health coaches will customise a wellness plan to suit your unique needs, taking into account your personal requirements, capabilities and goals.
Health coaches may also have expertise in nutrition. They will take a closer look at dietary considerations and lifestyle factors (such as stress management, sleep, and recovery) that impact your overall health.
A health coach is also a valuable source of encouragement and accountability as you make and maintain changes. They offer guidance, monitor your progress, and make adjustments as needed so you get the results you want.
11 Reasons to Work with a Health Coach
Working with a health coach can help you in a number of ways, whether you’re just getting started or need some tips and tweaks along the way.
Reason 1: No results.
If you are continually trying but not seeing results, consider the expertise of a health coach.
They will look at your habits and routines with a fresh perspective. They will evaluate what you are currently doing and suggest tweaks and changes to make your plan more efficient and effective.
Sometimes all it takes is a tweak to your approach, and it can also help you set realistic, achievable goals to make sure you’re moving in the right direction.
Reason 2: You don’t know where to start.
There’s so much information out there, where do you start? A health coach can help you make sense of all the (sometimes conflicting) advice and give you a clear, actionable plan.
It streamlines the process, breaks it down into manageable steps, and gives users a good starting point.
We’ll introduce you to basic exercises like cardio, weight training, flexibility training, etc. Where appropriate, we’ll also introduce you to nutrition basics, like finding the right balance of macronutrients.
A health coach takes the time to understand your specific needs, capabilities and goals, and to make sure you really understand why you are doing what you do, rather than just going through the motions, so you can build a solid foundation for gradual but steady progress.
Reason 3: You have a specific goal in mind.
If your goals are focused on weight loss, muscle building, healthy eating or stress management, a health coach can make a big difference by helping you connect the dots between what you eat, how you move and the quality of your sleep.
Even if you have specific areas of your life you’re looking to improve, a health coach can help you see the “big picture” and understand how one aspect of your life relates to and impacts other aspects.
Then you can know where to focus your energy – sleep, exercise, nutrition, relationships – to achieve your goals.
Reason 4: You need more structure to your wellness routine.
A health coach will create a plan that optimizes both effectiveness and efficiency.
Throughout your workout, your Health Coach will guide you to ensure you are doing the exercises correctly, providing feedback, corrections and technique guidance to improve the effectiveness of your routine.
This also applies to nutrition: a health coach can help you learn how to incorporate nutritious foods in a way that works for you, so you’re more likely to develop healthier habits in the long run.
Reason 5: You need someone to hold you accountable.
By scheduling regular sessions and check-ins, a health coach creates a structured framework for your progress.
This will greatly increase the likelihood of you adhering to your training and nutritional goals. Without the accountability of scheduled sessions, it’s easy to slack off or make less nutritious food choices.
Of course, health coaching always involves a financial and time investment. Committing to regular sessions not only protects your financial investment, but also reminds you of the importance of allocating time for your health.
Reason 6: It’s hard to stay motivated.
In addition to accountability, a health coach also serves as a source of encouragement and motivation.
They celebrate your successes, reassure you during difficult times, and provide constructive feedback. They help you understand the ups and downs of progress and generate the motivation you need to sustain behavioral change.
A health coach will take the time to understand your aspirations, concerns and goals and make you feel heard and valued. Having a coach who encourages you and pushes you to go beyond your limits makes all the difference.
Reason 7: You need expert resources.
Working with a health coach will not only help you achieve your exercise and nutrition goals, but it will also be a valuable learning experience.
Certified health coaches have a deep understanding of human physiology, body mechanics, behavior change, and nutritional science, making them a valuable resource for clients seeking comprehensive knowledge about holistic health.
Reason 8: You need someone to make decisions for you.
Working with a health coach can help relieve you from the constant decision-making that comes with managing your fitness and nutrition.
From exercise routines to meal plans, having too many choices can lead to “decision fatigue” and frustration, so you might find relief by getting advice from a trusted expert to help you narrow down your options.
Reason #9: I want to enjoy taking care of myself.
Exercise doesn’t have to be painful.
A health coach can help you find fun ways to move so you look forward to taking care of yourself.
Not all exercises are suitable for everyone, but a health coach can help you find the right exercise for you, even if you’ve never exercised before.
Reason 10: I want to learn how to take care of myself.
If your ultimate goal is to develop and follow your intuition, working with a health coach can help you achieve that goal.
As mentioned above, health coaches understand exercise, nutrition, and how the two work together to create a healthier lifestyle. By committing yourself to learning the health skills and knowledge that work for you, you will one day be able to take care of yourself sustainably.
Reason 11: You are looking for long-term benefits.
Anyone can start exercising or embarking on a fad diet.
But a health coach can help you learn how to successfully incorporate nutrition and exercise into your life. Sustainable.
This means taking into account your age, current fitness level, goals, lifestyle, and all other factors that affect your health. The long-term benefits include learning how to pay attention to all six aspects of deep health (not just what you eat and how much you exercise). The six aspects are:
- Relationship Health
- Existential Health
- mental health
- Physical Health
- Emotional health
- Environmental Sanitation
When you take into account your psychological wellbeing, your ability to focus and think, how supportive your home and work environments are to your wellbeing, your relationships with others, and your overall sense of purpose, you’re more likely to be able to make and stick to meaningful plans.
We help you achieve your goals
You don’t have to tackle your health alone.
Precision Nutrition coaches are experts in exercise, nutrition, and behavior change who will help you reach your goals effectively and safely.
In our one-on-one coaching programs, you’ll work with a coach who uses scientifically proven methods to customize a nutrition and wellness plan based on your lifestyle, goals, and preferences. With support, you’ll learn how to incorporate healthy habits into your daily life for long-term success.