Embarking on a journey towards better health and wellness often involves enlisting the guidance of a health coach. These professionals can provide personalized support, guidance, and accountability to help you achieve your health goals. However, finding the right health coach for your needs is crucial. Here are some questions to ask your new health coach to ensure they are the right fit for you:
What is your coaching approach? Understanding how your health coach operates can give you insight into whether their style aligns with your preferences. Some coaches may focus more on behavior change, while others may incorporate nutritional counseling or fitness planning.
What qualifications do you have? It’s important to verify that your health coach has the necessary certifications and qualifications. Look for certifications from reputable organizations such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the International Coach Federation (IFC) or the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC).
Can you provide references or testimonials? Hearing from past clients can give you an idea of the coach’s track record and success in helping others achieve their health goals.
How do you tailor your approach to individual clients? A good health coach will customize their approach to suit your unique needs, goals, and lifestyle. Ask how they plan to personalize their coaching for you.
What is your availability? Clarifying your coach’s availability and scheduling expectations upfront can help you plan and commit to your coaching sessions.
What is your philosophy on nutrition and exercise? Understanding your coach’s beliefs about nutrition and exercise can help you gauge whether their approach aligns with your preferences and goals.
How do you track progress and measure success? A good health coach will have a system in place to track your progress and measure the success of your health goals. Ask about their methods for monitoring your progress and adjusting your plan as needed.
How do you approach setbacks or obstacles? Dealing with setbacks is a normal part of any health journey. Ask your coach how they approach setbacks and what strategies they use to help clients overcome obstacles.
How do you stay current with health and wellness trends? Health and wellness are constantly evolving fields ask your coach how they stay informed about the latest research and trends in health and wellness.
A Health Coach should always recommend establishing a baseline to measure your results against as well. The baseline should be established by measuring strength, mobility, the amount of reps and types of exercise, and specifics including blood work, Vo2, Resting Metabolic Rate for caloric burn, a DEXA Scan and possibly other tests. Utilizing these measurements to establish the baseline of your health will help show you results besides just the scale.
Finding the right health coach can be a transformative experience on your journey to better health. By asking these questions, you can ensure that your health coach is a good fit for your needs, goals, and lifestyle.