WHY THE NEED FOR HEALTH COACHES? 

 

The necessity to improve our health has never been more urgent. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently published unsettling statistics on the prevalence of chronic disease. As of 2018, 6 in 10 adults in the US have a chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have multiple chronic diseases.  Recent studies suggest that today’s children are the first generation expected to live shorter life spans than their parents. 

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Why is chronic disease on the rise? For one thing, our modern diet and lifestyle are out of alignment with the way our bodies were designed to function.  Our current medical model is also not set up to adequately address the needs of chronic illness. Conventional medicine is great for acute and traumatic medical conditions but the system is simply not set up to prevent disease and help people learn and sustain long term health-promoting behaviors. 

 

Contrary to conventional wisdom, genetics are not the primary cause of chronic disease. Current research shows that 85% of chronic disease is caused by behavior and our environment. This means that most of what leads to chronic disease is within our control!

 

And yet, according to the CDC, only 6.5% of Americans engage in all 5 of the most important behaviors to prevent chronic disease:

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Not smoking | Exercising regularly | Not drinking excessively

Maintaining a healthy body weight | Getting Enough Sleep  

 

People certainly want to be healthy and well. So what stands between that desire for optimal health and the everyday reality of struggling with the consequences of our habits?  As most of us have experienced, there is a gap between knowing the right thing to do, and actually doing the right thing.  Information is not enough to change behavior. We need strategies, support, and accountability to nurture the process and provide lasting change. This is where the health coach fits in. 

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SO WHAT DOES A HEALTH COACH DO?  

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A health coach:

• PARTNERS with you to define a higher purpose and vision for optimal health

• EMPOWERS you to find your own solutions to your chronic health problems.

• HELPS  you understand the best practices for health and how to implement them

• ENCOURAGES  you to discover strength and motivation for growth 

• SUPPORTS you as a whole person without judgment 

• HOLDS you accountable to your personal goals

• SERVES as a change agent

 

HOW CAN A HEALTH COACH HELP ME OR SOMEONE I CARE ABOUT? 

 

Health coaches work directly with clients who want to improve their health and well-being through science-based strategies for behavior change. We would set up an initial consultation to see if we would be a good fit in working together. If we decide to work together, we would meet on a regular basis by phone or videoconferencing. 

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Health coaches also collaborate with clients and their clinicians to implement the diet and lifestyle changes needed to manage and, where possible, reverse chronic disease.

 

In my development as a coach, I have training through Chris Kresser’s ADAPT Functional Health Coach program.  Chris is a global leader and educator in the area of functional medicine who is pioneering this field with a vision to revolutionize health care.  He is the author of “Unconventional Medicine” and “The Paleo Cure."