Who is this Health Coach? A guide to your health journey (Health and Wellness Coach)

Do you sometimes think, "I have to exercise from today on," or "I need to stop eating fatty foods and sugary drinks right now?" But then, after a day or two, that enthusiasm gradually wanes, and you fall back into your old habits, right? This is actually something that happens to many people. We all know we want to be healthy, but the hardest part is making the necessary changes in our lives. At times like these, a Health Coach (sometimes called a Health and Wellness Coach) is someone who can give you a helping hand, encourage you, and sit with you like a friend to help you reach your health goals.

Simply put, who is this Health Coach?

Think of a Health Coach as your personal health advisor, guide, and support. Just like an athlete has a coach, they help you make healthy changes to your lifestyle. These changes are important for your physical health as well as your mental health.

Sometimes your family doctor may suggest that you work with a health coach. For example, if you want to manage your diabetes, lose weight, or control your cholesterol levels, they can help you achieve those goals. You may also have the opportunity to work with a health coach through a workplace wellness program at your company.

No matter how you start, a Health Coach will help you take responsibility for things like:

• Physical activity: Make up your mind to exercise daily and keep doing it.
• Nutrition: Eat a healthy diet and reduce junk food.
• Weight management: Lose or maintain a healthy weight.
• Stress management: Find ways to reduce stress.
• Smoking and tobacco use: Get rid of these bad habits.
• Sleep: Develop the necessary habits to get a good night's sleep.

Think about it, these things are all connected. If you don't sleep well, you won't feel like exercising the next day. You'll feel lazy to cook because you're tired and want to grab something from the store. When all of this comes together, it can be hard to know where to start. That's when a Health Coach will talk to you and help you find a place where you can start easily. Starting with small changes, they'll pave the way for bigger goals over time.

What exactly does a Health Coach do?

The main job of a Health Coach is to set reasonable goals for you.Helping you set goals and create a plan to achieve them. He also helps you identify obstacles along the way.

For example, consider:

• Maybe you're thinking, "I could never make these changes the doctor is telling me to make."
• Or maybe you're thinking, "What if I make this small change?"
• Maybe you work two jobs and don't have time to exercise after a long day at work.

A Health Coach will talk to you and look at all of these factors that affect your health habits. Then, together, the two of you will create a plan that you can actually do and that is stress-free .

Your Health Coach will be in regular contact with you. Maybe by email, phone call, or online meeting. This program usually continues for at least three months. During these conversations, he or she will ask you questions. These questions are to help you find the answers to your own questions.

Imagine your doctor told you to eat more vegetables and fruits. A Health Coach might ask questions like these:

• "If we were to give a score from 1 to 10, how important is it to you to make this change?"
• "How do you think this can be done easily, if you start?"
• "What obstacles might you encounter while doing this? How will your family help you?"
• "What kind of plan can we make to add more vegetables and fruits to your diet?"

Do you understand? He doesn't answer. He gets the answer from you. Because the answer you find for yourself is the only way you can keep going.

Understanding the obstacles in our lives

A Health Coach knows that personal decisions are only a small part of the problem. You can't just say, "I'm going to eat vegetables." There are many things in our lives that are beyond our control. We call these the social drivers of health .

If we think about it in a way that suits our lives in Sri Lanka:

• Access to nutritious foods: Maybe you don't have access to good quality fruits and vegetables in your area, or they may be too expensive for you to afford.
• Lack of a safe environment: If there are no sidewalks on the street where your house is located, it is not safe to go out for a walk.
• Other responsibilities:Maybe you have elderly parents to take care of at home, or maybe you have a young child. With all these responsibilities, you don't have time to think about your health. After a long day at work, you don't feel like exercising when you get home from the bus.

A Health Coach understands these kinds of issues. He or she won't judge you or blame you. Instead, he or she will help you find small things you can do despite these obstacles. That's why it's so important to be open and honest with him or her about the real situation in your life.

What are the benefits of a Health Coach?

Working with a Health Coach can provide you with many benefits, both mental and physical. These have been scientifically proven.

Usually,Evidence-based training programs are the best way to achieve these results. A health coach, introduced to you by your doctor or workplace, often follows these accepted methods.

What is the difference between a Health Coach and a Doctor?

This is something that many people get confused about. A Health Coach is not a doctor. He or she does not prescribe medication or diagnose you. Their roles are completely different. But both are very important for your health.

Simply put, the doctor tells you, "You need to lose weight." A Health Coach will help you get to that goal.

How to choose a good Health Coach?

Since this field is still new in Sri Lanka, anyone can put up a board saying "Health Coach". Therefore, it is very important to choose someone who is properly qualified and trustworthy before you spend your money and time.

If you're looking for a Health Coach on your own, don't be afraid to ask these questions:

• What training do you have? (Have you received training from a recognized institution?)
• What professional certifications do you have? (An internationally recognized certification is preferable).
• What is the scope of your services? (That is, find out what services they can legally provide. For example, they cannot prescribe medication.)
• What kind of scientific research is your training method based on?
• Can I get references from people who have previously received services?

If someone is unwilling to give clear answers to these questions, or if you have doubts about the answers, it is best to find someone else. The best and safest way is to ask your doctor about this and go to someone he recommends.