.jpg)
A wellness coach champions positive behavior. They provide the professional support for those wanting to master healthy lifestyle behaviors. By realizing change needs to take place now either because a physician has provided an individual with a grim diagnosis if lifestyle choices are not adapted or because the idea of self improvement is the driving force, a certified wellness coach will help one define, visualize, design and plan, and accomplish fitness, nutrition, lifestyle, and health goals.
When a person is told they need to get it together or they may die an initial response is denial. After a couple of days a person begins to process the information and accepts their challenge. Unfortunately most people do not have the discipline and focus to change their habits. Most people know what they need to do to change but have a difficult time making the change often times giving up to their so called fate. All is not lost and there are studies that prove it is possible to make changes.
A lifestyle intervention study was performed to find out if coronary heart disease patients could make changes necessary for preventing further heart disease implications. The study indicated positive reinforcement empowers a person's ability to make drastic lifestyle changes. (Pische, Scherwitz, Weidner & Ornish 2008)
Another similar study was performed with type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The program studied lifestyle modification intervention and health benefits linked to behavior modification. The results demonstrated that the individuals with personal support had a significant improvement in diabetes management issues. (Kim, Lee, Kang, Lee, Ahn, Cha, Yoo & Lee 2006)
A wellness coach provides personal support for implementing healthy changes. A coach instills hope, believes in you and expects you to help yourself. As mentor and client a relationship is built on the foundation of practice, experimentation, and more practice until you have established new habits and can make better choices. A person learns with guidance from the coach new thinking, increased awareness, higher self esteem and greater confidence in mastering healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Another study analyzed and measured performance outcomes and the results illustrated the probability of success is much higher when a person is provided with cues. (Motowidlo, Dunnette, Loehr & Virginia 1978). A wellness coach is in tune with your levels of motivation and goal orientation. A great coach will provide you with cues necessary for accomplishing weekly results.
While the prospect of incorporating healthy habits may be daunting it is possible. A wellness coach can walk the walk, kick the clutter, and help guide you through the difficult maze of change. Healthy Living Now and WellCoaches are just two resources of many that provide Well Coaching services.
.
For more info:
Comments
As a Wellness Coach, I fully agree with this article; even more as a person who had 3 types of cancer 22 years ago, I know that healthy lifestyle choices make a difference.
I could have died from breast cancer and colon cancer in 1987 if I hadn't changed my diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management. Fortunately my husband knew how to coach me through these changes as it would have been very difficult to make them by my self.
I encourage anyone who has a chronic disease to find a coach; either a family member, friend, or professional coach who will help them achieve their best possible state of wellness, and raise their quality of life for as long as they can.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!