In the last 2 decades, the term “coach” has gained recognition and

acceptance in a variety of fields ranging from business to health,

fitness, nutrition, lifestyle and wellness.

So what does a health coach do?

Well, a Health coach teaches and guides his or her clients to make
wellness-related Behavioral changes, creates programs for them to
reach their health, fitness and wellness goals, and knows when to
refer them to other professionals, like physicians, registered
dietitians, nutritionists, psychologists, etc in order to best serve the
client’s needs.

In today’s modern world, a health coach is in the position to bring a

unique understanding of the complex emotional, behavioral, physical,
nutritional, exercise and lifestyle factors to help the client enhance
their well-being and support them as they strive to reach their
lifestyle, health and sometimes their weight management goals.
In other words,
The health coach it's a health promoter, a health educator, and
an active partner at unlocking each client's potential to maximize
his or her own healthy lifestyle choices.
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There are 4 important factors related to health Improvement that we

should consider: 

1.  The ability to enjoy everything – as a health coach you can use
attentiveness, your communication and motivational skills, your
fitness and nutritional knowledge, and other techniques to encourage
the broadening of leisure activities and help your clients remove inner
barriers that prevent them from fully enjoying life.

2.  The ability to choose freely - a health coach can help its clients
understand the options they have and discover which ones of those
options fit their personality and desired life style.

3.  The ability to grow:  Maslow described in 1954 in his Pyramid of

Needs, essential growth steps, on which health coaches can build by
helping their clients engage in challenging but rewarding activities,
which will leave them with a sense of autonomy, competence and
being skillful at life. 

4.  The ability to see meaning: as a health coach you can help clients
see worth in their lives and value in accomplishing their health-related
goals.
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As a health coach you will be able to bring focus to enhancing,

preserving and maintaining lifestyle and health, as well as preventing
illness.

A health coach will always serve its clients in a non- judgmental way,
seeing them as whole beings who do not need to be repaired but who
may require support and assistance in building their self-esteem,
character strengths and the healthy lifestyle they desire.

Our goal as coaches is to guide them to find realistic, viable solutions.

We are Solution, and Not Problem oriented.

There is a difference between coaching appropriately and

directing. After each session with a good coach a client should be left
thinking about his goals, his progress and his next steps.

The difference is that when clients work with the health coach who
directs well, they leave thinking " my coach is terrific", I really love my
coach.

When a client works with a great coach, they leave thinking "wow, I

Feel really good, I can see my progress and I am motivated to move
forward.”
Do you see the difference? It is not about what you can do, or how
wonderful you are, it is All about what you can do for them!

Great coaches understand that every client is capable to achieve

more and that the only limitations are usually the client's own
thoughts and self-talk.

Great coaches have the skills and strategies to help the clients
identify those negative, irrational beliefs and they continue to provide
full support. This doesn't necessarily mean answers and it certainly
does not mean criticism.

In order to do this successfully, as a coach you must listen more than

you talk. I am not saying that you should take off your hat as the
Expert, but you should know how to use your expertise in ways that
enhance each client's well-being. 

A great coach knows exercise science, constantly seeks out new

information, displays humility, is a memorable motivator, is
compassionate, understands each client, is an exemplary
communicator  and excellent listener, is passionate, leads by Daily
example, is committed, and builds client relationships for long-term
growth.
Depending on each situation and each client needs, a health coach
wears many hats: is an advisor, assessor, counselor, demonstrator,
friend, facilitator, Fact finder, instructor, mentor, motivator, organizer
and planner, role model, and supporter.