Reviewed by Brian St. Pierre, MS, RD
You can learn everything on your own… right?
In other words, between books and free online articles and videos, what’s the point of working with a health coach?
Well, there’s a few points…
A health coach offers unique knowledge and insights that can help you in ways you can’t necessarily get on your own. They fill in the nutritional and exercise gaps you may overlook, make sure you’re adhering to your intentions, and suggest solutions (and moral support) when you hit inevitable obstacles.
In fact, hiring a health coach may be one of the best decisions you can make for your long term wellbeing.
Keep reading to find out 11 (good) reasons to work with a health coach.
First, what is a health coach?
A health coach is a dedicated wellness expert who can help you achieve your goals.
Health coaches possess expertise based on a solid foundation in exercise science, anatomy, and physiology to craft safe and effective programs. They take into account individual requirements, capabilities, and objectives to tailor wellness plans to suit your unique needs.
Health coaches may also have nutrition expertise. They’ll delve into the dietary considerations and lifestyle factors (like stress management, sleep, and recovery) that impact your overall health.
As you attempt to make and sustain changes, your health coach can also be a valuable source of encouragement and accountability. They provide guidance, monitor progress, make adjustments as needed—so you can get the results you’ve been looking for.
11 reasons to work with a health coach
Working with a health coach can help you in numerous ways, whether you’re just starting, or need some tips or tweaks along the way.
Reason #1: You’re not seeing results.
If you’ve been putting in consistent effort without seeing results, consider the expertise of a health coach.
They bring a fresh set of eyes to your habits and routines. They’ll assess what you’re currently doing and suggest tweaks or changes to make your plan more efficient and effective.
Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of fine-tuning your approach. They’ll also help you set realistic, achievable goals, ensuring you’re on the right track.
Reason #2: You don’t know where to start.
With so much information out there, how do you know where to start? A health coach can help you make sense of all the (sometimes contradictory) advice and provide you with a clear, actionable plan.
They streamline the process, break it down into manageable steps, and offer an appropriate starting point tailored to you.
They’ll introduce you to fundamental exercises, including cardio, weight training, and flexibility training. If appropriate, they might introduce you to nutrition fundamentals, including finding the right balance of macronutrients.
A health coach takes the time to understand your specific needs, capabilities, and objectives. They’ll also ensure you’re not just going through the motions but truly understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. This helps you build a solid foundation to make gradual but definite progress.
Reason #3: You have a specific goal in mind.
If you’re focused on an objective, such as weight loss, muscle building, healthier eating, or stress management, a health coach can make a difference, helping you connect the dots between what you eat, how you move, your sleep quality, and more.
Even if you have a particular area of your life you’re striving to improve, a health coach can help you see the “big picture” view, and how often one aspect of your life is connected to and affects other aspects of your life.
That way, you can understand where to focus your energy—sleep, exercise, nutrition, relationships—to help you achieve your goal.
Reason #4: You need more structure in your wellness routine.
A health coach will create a plan that optimizes both effectiveness and efficiency.
During workouts, health coaches offer direction to ensure you exercise with precision. They provide feedback, corrections, and technique guidance to make your routine more impactful.
This also applies to nutrition. A health coach can help you learn how to incorporate foods with greater nutrient value in ways that work for you, so you’re more likely to develop healthier habits in the long-term.
Reason #5: You need someone to hold you accountable.
By scheduling regular sessions and check-ins, health coaches create a structured framework for your progress.
This significantly increases the likelihood of you adhering to your workout and nutrition intentions. Without the accountability of a scheduled session, it’s easier to skip exercise or make less nutritious food choices.
Of course, there’s always a financial and temporal investment associated with health coaching. Committing to regular sessions not only safeguards your financial investment but also reaffirms the importance of allocating time for your well-being.
Reason #6: You’re having trouble staying motivated.
In addition to accountability, your health coach serves as a source of encouragement and motivation.
They celebrate your triumphs, provide reassurance during challenging moments, and offer constructive feedback. They understand the ebb and flow of progress and help you generate the motivation needed to sustain behavior changes.
A health coach will take the time to understand your aspirations, struggles, and targets so you feel heard and valued. Having a coach to cheer you on and push you past your limits can make all the difference.
Reason #7: You need an expert resource.
Working with a health coach goes beyond achieving exercise and nutrition goals—it can be a valuable learning experience.
Certified health coaches possess a deep understanding of human physiology, body mechanics, behavior change, and nutrition science, making them a valuable resource for clients seeking comprehensive knowledge on holistic wellness.
Reason #8: You need someone to make decisions for you.
Working with a health coach offers a reprieve from the constant decision-making that comes with managing your fitness and nutrition.
The multitude of choices, from exercise routines to dietary plans, can often lead to “decision fatigue,” which can then lead to frustration. You may find it a relief to have a trusted expert guide you and help narrow your options.
Reason #9: You want to enjoy taking care of yourself.
Exercise doesn’t have to feel like a chore.
A health coach can help you find ways to move your body that are enjoyable so that you look forward to taking care of yourself.
Not all exercise suits all people, but a health coach can help you find something that works—even if you’ve never exercised before.
Reason #10: You want to learn how to take care of yourself.
If your goal is to eventually create and follow your own instincts, working with a health coach can help get you there.
As we’ve said, health coaches understand exercise, nutrition and how those two things work together to create a healthier lifestyle. By dedicating yourself to learning the wellness skills and knowledge that work for you, you’ll one day be able to sustainably take care of yourself.
Reason #11: You’re looking for long-term benefits.
Anyone can start exercising or following a fad diet.
However, a health coach will help you learn how to incorporate nutrition and movement into your life in a way that’s sustainable.
This means taking into account factors such as your age, current fitness level, goals, lifestyle, and anything else that affects your health. Long-term benefits include learning how to tend to all six aspects of Deep Health (not just what you eat and how much you exercise). Those six aspects are:
- Relational health
- Existential health
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Emotional health
- Environmental health
When you take into account your psychological well-being, your ability to focus and think clearly, how well your home and work environment supports your health, your relationships with others, and your overall sense of purpose, you’ll be more likely to create a meaningful plan—and stick with it.
We’re here to help you reach your goals
You don’t have to tackle your health journey alone.
The coaches at Precision Nutrition are experts in exercise and nutrition—as well as behavior change—and can help you reach your goals effectively and safely.
With our 1:1 Coaching Program, you’ll work with a coach who’ll tailor a nutrition and wellness plan based on your lifestyle, goals, and preferences using scientifically proven methods. With help, you’ll learn how to incorporate healthy habits into your daily lifestyle for long-term success.
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