Achieve Optimal Wellness with I Choose Health

Health coaches often play an integral role in the prescriptive phase of medical treatment plans that prescribe lifestyle change as necessary to address a health condition. If your doctor recommends lifestyle changes like a healthy diet, more movement in your daily routine, better sleep, stress reduction, or any other healthy habit change, health coaches are your resource to assist you in making these changes a reality in your daily life.

Health coaches are professionals trained to work alongside healthcare practitioners, supporting clients in implementing and sustaining lifestyle changes and treatment plans.  Health coaches play a vital role in supporting individuals as they navigate lifestyle changes and implement treatment plans recommended by healthcare practitioners.

Here are some key ways health coaches contribute to the lifestyle change process: 

Bridge Between Medical Advice and Daily Life: Health coaches serve as a bridge between the medical recommendations provided by healthcare practitioners and the practical integration of those recommendations into a client's daily life.

Personalized Support: Health coaches offer personalized support tailored to the unique needs, preferences, and circumstances of each client. They take into account the individual's lifestyle, resources, and goals.

Goal Setting and Action Planning: Health coaches collaborate with clients to set realistic and achievable health goals. They help clients develop action plans, breaking down larger goals into manageable steps.

Behavioral Change Guidance: Health coaches specialize in behavioral change techniques. They provide guidance on how to overcome obstacles, establish new habits, and navigate challenges that may arise during the process of making lifestyle changes.

Motivation and Accountability: Health coaches offer motivation and encouragement to help clients stay focused on their health goals. Regular check-ins provide a sense of accountability, helping clients stay committed to their action plans.

Information and Empowerment: Health coaches provide information on topics related to nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and other lifestyle factors. This empowers clients with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions about their health.

Emotional Support: Lifestyle changes can be emotionally challenging. Health coaches offer a supportive and empathetic space for clients to express concerns, share successes, and navigate the emotional aspects of behavior change.

Continuous Adaptation: Health coaches work in tandem with clients to continuously assess progress and adapt strategies as needed. Flexibility is key to ensuring that the approach remains relevant and effective over time.

Holistic Approach: Health coaches take a holistic approach, considering various aspects of a client's life that may impact health, including relationships, work, and personal values. This approach aligns with the principles of functional medicine.

Collaboration with Healthcare Practitioners: Health coaches collaborate closely with healthcare practitioners, ensuring that the lifestyle changes align with the overall treatment plan. Regular communication helps maintain continuity of care.

Empowering Self-Management: The ultimate goal is to empower clients to become active participants in their health journey. Health coaches help clients develop self-management skills, fostering independence and long-term success.

The collaboration between healthcare practitioners and health coaches is a team-based approach that acknowledges the importance of both medical expertise and ongoing support for behavioral and lifestyle change. This comprehensive approach enhances the client’s likelihood of success in achieving and maintaining improved health and well-being.

HEALTH COACHING IS... 

• A cooperative process between client and coach to help clients grow, achieve their health goals, thrive, and improve their well-being by making sustainable changes in their mindset and lifestyle behaviors 
• Health coaching is an accepting and client-centered process — each client determines his or her own path and goals 
• The Coach provides support, stimulates client insights, and holds the Client accountable 
• Focuses on the “here and now” and helping clients move forward, rather than looking back 
• Helping clients unlock their potential to make lasting lifestyle changes 
• Note: Health coaches are not medical practitioners, so we don’t prescribe treatments or supplements to clients. Health coaches are individuals like you who have made the decision to take their health seriously and make the changes in their lifestyle to make healthful outcomes a priority. Health coaches are trained and certified through accredited institutions to be powerful advocates for clients who have made the decision to move toward a healthier way of living.

Health Coaching from a Client Perspective 

Have you ever been able to have an honest, open, and real conversation with your healthcare provider about your health issues and concerns? Working with a health coach gives you the opportunity to be heard. Health coaches listen to what you are saying and help you decide what path you are going to take to improve the current state of your health. We are your support system, your ally, and your resource to help you better understand what wellness truly means for you and how you are going to get there.

Health coaches are shepherds of your good health, but you are the driver. We are the bridge between you and your doctor, helping you better understand both your diagnosis and the recommendations you've received for its treatment. Health coaches are uniquely trained to help you understand what matters most to you, assist you in feeling empowered to make lasting lifestyle changes and reach your health goals, and how to effectively partner with your healthcare practitioner as you move through your health transformation. In all, we are your biggest wellness advocate.

How Does Health Coaching Work? 

Changes don't happen overnight, nor do they always stick. This is why your health coach will work with you, one-on-one, to help you make sustainable, life-long changes in many areas of your life that will incrementally improve your state of wellness.  Sessions with your coach are driven by you - you set the agenda; and the coach empowers you to get to where you want to go.

Unlike a doctor or traditional healthcare provider, your coach is not an expert and does not dictate what you need to do. Instead, they explore options with you, provide resources that can help you make informed decisions, and support you with the choice that you feel is right. They also understand that health is not just about what you eat and how you move. In truth, your health cannot be separated from your lifestyle, especially sources of unmanaged stress and sleep, so your coach will encourage you to consider how all areas of your life can support your wellness.