YOUR TOP HEALTH AND WELLNESS QUESTIONS ANSWERED

January 07, 2019 by Renee Tavoularis

By Kristen Link

An Integrative Nutrition Health Coach is a concierge of sorts for your wellness journey. They are highly educated guides in the fields of nutrition, wellness, bio-individuality and mentoring, providing individualized support and authority to help you feel your best through food and lifestyle changes.

Below are some commonly asked health coaching and wellness questions answered by writer and Certified Integrative Health Coach Kristen Link. 

HOW CAN A HEALTH COACH HELP ME?

Health coaches primary goal is to help educate and support their clients as they navigate their way to sustainable, long-lasting wellness. Rather than looking at only one area of a client’s life, such as food, health coaches adopt a holistic approach, understanding the whole person, and recognizing the importance of relationships, exercise, career, and spirituality as equal contributors to your health and wellbeing.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM A HEALTH COACH?

Everyone can benefit from a health coach! However, it’s important that the individual is ready and willing to take actionable steps to improve their health.  Additionally, health coaches often specialize in specific areas such as Women’s Health, Autoimmune diseases, or Weight Management so it is important to find a health coach who has experience with your individual circumstances.

I’M NOT LOOKING TO LOSE WEIGHT, CAN A HEALTH COACH STILL HELP ME?

Absolutely! Health coaches believe in a holistic approach to health which means that even if you are at your ideal weight, you may be struggling with other unhealthy habits that can impact your life. Health coaches can help hold you accountable while you begin to build healthier habits. This can include habits like daily meditation or a daily yoga practice that can help reduce your stress levels. Additionally, health coaches can work with you to evaluate areas of your life such as your career and relationships which may be holding you back from living your healthiest life.

WHAT IS THE BEST DIET TO HELP LOSE WEIGHT?

Ultimately, every person is different and different dietary approaches will yield varying results based on your unique set of circumstances and lifestyle factors. This is a concept known as bio-individuality™ and was developed by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Most importantly, remember that diets typically only provide short term results and it is better to build a sustainable and healthy lifestyle based on incorporating healthier habits that you can stick with for the long-term.

CAN I GET ENOUGH PROTEIN FROM A PLANT-BASED DIET?

For many individuals, a plant-based diet can easily provide plenty of protein, mainly from foods like quinoa, legumes such as lentils and chickpeas as well as nuts and seeds. Working with a health coach is a great way to identify ways to improve your diet in order to get enough protein.  If you’re looking for a protein packed main dish, try this Grilled Radish Socca or search other plant-based recipes here.

WHAT NON-FOOD PARTS OF MY LIFE SHOULD I BE FOCUSING ON IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OR MAINTAIN MY HEALTH?

Health is so much more than just the food you eat and how often you get to the gym. Many people are surprised to learn that elements such as your finances, your friendships and satisfaction in your career can all derail progress towards your health goals.

One of the best places to start in order to improve your overall health is your state of mind. Our thoughts and mindset are one of the most important aspects of our health but often this goes overlooked. Ways to improve your mindset include writing daily gratitude lists, setting daily positive intentions or taking a few minutes every day for deep breathing. Find something that works for you and make it a part of your daily routine in order to help shift your mindset.

I’M LOOKING TO GET HEALTHY BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START, ANY IDEAS?

At the beginning of your wellness journey, think about your reason for wanting to be healthy. Perhaps it’s to keep up after your toddler or maybe you’ve received a medical diagnosis that requires you to make specific lifestyle changes. Whatever your reason, keep this close to mind as you begin on your journey and always remember it to help you when progress might be difficult.

Then, begin to define specific goals and actionable steps to help you achieve them. It’s best to be as specific as possible when developing these but also be realistic about what you can achieve in a certain amount of time.  Remember, your wellness journey is about seeking progress rather than perfection. 

Look for ways you can improve your health by incorporating certain things into your life instead of restricting yourself. For instance, instead of telling yourself that you are going to remove all caffeine from your diet, start by trying to incorporate more water. By crowding out the coffee with an additional cup of water, you’ll be able to reduce your caffeine intake without feeling deprived. 

HOW CAN I GET MY FAMILY/SIGNIFICANT TO BE EXCITED ABOUT IMPROVING OUR HEALTH?

If you’re hoping to get one of your loved ones onboard with a healthier lifestyle, the most important thing you can do is simply be a healthy role model for them. When people decide to embark on their own health journey, they need to come to this decision on their own and truly feel ready to embrace it.  While it might seem beneficial to continually remind your loved ones of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, this may cause them to be resistant to positive change. Instead, let them see your own progress and answer their questions about it honestly and openly.

Do you feel like you could benefit from a health coach? Contact us to schedule a complimentary 45-minute consultation with a certified Integrative Nutrition® Health Coach. 

 

Kristen Link is a Certified Integrative Health Coach who helps individuals develop a deeper understanding of their personalized food and lifestyle choices to live a more sustainable, healthier, balanced, and fulfilling life. Learn more at http://wellnessbykristen.com/
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