You want to lose weight. You have options. You could try a traditional weight loss program and count points or calories. You could use a prepackaged meal plan. There's the two meal replacement shakes a day and one healthful meal. You could hire a personal trainer or buy a gym membership or both.
One underused option that's now becoming news on the corporate circuit could be the solution you're looking for now too.
Recent escalating health care costs have employers actively seeking ways to keep claims down and encourage better health habits among their employees. In the end not only will they benefit from reduced claims but from enhanced productivity, alertness, moral and less absenteeism.
How could you benefit from a wellness coach and why might you seek one instead of other options if you want weight loss?
A wellness coach could actually be a personal trainer and or a nutritionist as well. Many coaches came to the coach profession after they established a career and reputation in another field.
For many people weight loss includes nutrition and physical activity accountability. Identifying what to eat and how to move are only a part of the path to success however. Changing behavior is more complicated than knowing what to do. That's where the strengths of a coach comes in and differs from that of a personal trainer or a Registered Dietitian.
A wellness coach will focus on the changes you want to make and the reasons that is important to you. Your coach will focus much of your time together asking questions that get to your underlying motivation and reasons why you might have had trouble keeping accountable. The relationship is completely non-judgmental and intended to provide insights that will help you really reach the goals that are most important to you, and not based on someone else.
A wellness coach who is also an exercise expert can help you define specific goals and a progression that makes sense and then coach you with the accountability that you need to succeed. Some trainers can do this and some and not as expert at this and tend to focus on holding you responsible without understanding what might be going on or how to help you with an alternative to a program that's not working.
Wellness coaching is very compatible with either personal training or a nutrition program. It can compliment and support you with an integrated approach. The exercise and eating changes you need have to fit into your life. It's important to consider other factors in your life that may be obstacles for you to overcome. Time with your trainer is probably not going to focus on those potential barriers and is outside the scope of practice for your trainer or nutritionist if they aren't trained as a coach.
Do understand that a coach is there to support you in goal setting, choosing appropriate goals, encouraging you to reach outside your comfort zone and keep you getting to goals on a path more direct and efficient than you would do on your own. That said, you do the work in coaching. A coach partners with you but you do the homework and follow through on the tasks you've set for the week.
How often do you have contact with a coach? Generally your sessions are once a week for 30 or 60 minutes. Some coaches will do three a month with a week off every month. Most coaches deliver their coaching services by phone, though skype, or meeting in person are options. Telephonic sessions are still the most popular and far less limiting to you choosing a coach who is your best match.
How can you find a wellness coach? Ask for referrals. Sometimes the best relationships come from someone you know. You can also find reputable coaches on Wellcoaches or CoachU. The International Coach Federation(ICF) is a credentialling organization where you'll find primarily coaches who focus on full time coaching. You may find experienced and certified coaches who are not ICF certified. Whatever certification your coach has be sure that you understand it is still a self-governed industry. It's important that you ask how long your coaches training was and how much experience they've had. It would be nice to know they aren't getting their experience from you.
What should you expect in cost? Expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 per hour for a coaching session with an experienced and credible coach. There often is a minimum commitment of 90 days or longer in order to help you commit to and see your goals through.
Do expect that you should be offered a complimentary coaching session with any coach. Interview two or three to find the right match for you and your goals. Has he or she ever coached someone with your goals? Has he got prior clients that you can contact as references? Do your homework even before you begin with your coach.
Personal Training and Fitness expert Debra Atkinson, MS, CSCS is a barely boomer and founder of Voice for Fitness. She provides articles, videos and up-to-date research in practical tips for exercise and nutrition to change the way we age. Learn more at http://www.voiceforfitness.com/en/active_aging_secrets/ or find tips for being fifty going on sexy at https://www.voiceforfitness.com/en/flatbellyafter50welcome/ Join Teleseminars and webinars that will get you the look and feel you love.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_Atkinson
No comments:
Post a Comment