Reviewed by: Brian St. Pierre, MS, RD
You can teach yourself everything…right?
In other words, what’s the point of working with a health coach beyond books and free online articles and videos?
Well, there are a few points…
Health coaches provide unique knowledge and insights that can help you in ways you wouldn’t be able to achieve on your own. They fill in the nutrition and exercise gaps you may have overlooked, ensuring you stick to your intentions, and offering solutions (and moral support) when you hit the inevitable roadblocks.
In fact, hiring a health coach may be one of the best decisions you make for your long-term health.
Read on to find out 11 (good) reasons to work with a health coach.
First, what is a health coach?
A health coach is a dedicated health professional who can help you achieve your goals.
Health coaches have expertise based on a solid foundation in exercise science, anatomy, and physiology to develop safe and effective programs. They will consider individual requirements, abilities and goals to customize a wellness program to meet your unique needs.
Health coaches may also have nutrition expertise. They’ll delve into dietary considerations and lifestyle factors that impact your overall health (such as stress management, sleep, and recovery).
Your health coach can also be a valuable source of encouragement and accountability as you try to make and sustain changes. They provide guidance, monitor progress, and make adjustments as needed so you can get the results you’ve been looking for.
11 reasons to work with a health coach
Working with a health coach can help you in many ways, whether you’re just starting out or need some tips or adjustments along the way.
Reason #1: You’re not seeing results.
If you’ve been struggling but not seeing results, consider the expertise of a health coach.
They take a fresh look at your habits and routines. They will evaluate what you are currently doing and recommend adjustments or changes to make your plan more efficient and effective.
Sometimes it’s just a matter of fine-tuning your approach. They will also help you set realistic, achievable goals to ensure you’re on the right track.
Reason #2: You don’t know where to start.
With so much information out there, how do you know where to start? A health coach can help you make sense of all the (sometimes conflicting) advice and provide you with a clear, actionable plan.
They simplify the process, break it down into manageable steps, and give you the right starting point.
They’ll introduce you to basic exercises, including cardio, weight training, and flexibility training. If appropriate, they may introduce you to the basics of nutrition, including finding the right balance of macronutrients.
A health coach will take the time to understand your specific needs, abilities, and goals. They will also make sure that you are not just going through the motions but truly understand why you are doing what you are doing. This can help you build a solid foundation with gradual but definite progress.
Reason #3: You have a specific goal in mind.
If you’re focused on a certain goal, such as weight loss, muscle gain, healthy eating, or stress management, a health coach can come into play to help you integrate your diet, exercise patterns, sleep quality, and more.
Even if you’re working on improving a specific area of your life, a health coach can help you understand the “big picture” and how often one aspect of your life is connected to and affects other aspects of your life.
This way, you can know where to focus your energy (sleep, exercise, nutrition, relationships) to help you achieve your goals.
Reason #4: Your healthy habits need more structure.
A health coach will develop a plan to optimize effectiveness and efficiency.
During exercise, a health coach will provide guidance to ensure you exercise accurately. They provide feedback, correction, and technical guidance to make your daily work more impactful.
This also applies to nutrition. A health coach can help you learn how to eat foods with higher nutritional value in a way that works for you, so you’re more likely to develop healthier habits long-term.
Reason #5: You need someone to hold you accountable.
By scheduling regular meetings and check-ins, a health coach creates a structured framework for your progress.
This significantly increases the likelihood that you will stick to your exercise and nutritional intentions. Without scheduled training time, it’s easy for people to skip exercise or choose less nutritious foods.
Of course, there are always financial and time investments associated with health coaching. Attending regular meetings not only safeguards your financial investment, it also reiterates the importance of allocating time for your health.
Reason #6: You have trouble staying motivated.
In addition to accountability, your health coach is a source of encouragement and motivation.
They celebrate your wins, provide comfort during challenging times, and provide constructive feedback. They understand the ebb and flow of progress and help you generate the motivation you need to sustain behavioral change.
A health coach will take the time to understand your desires, struggles, and goals so you feel heard and valued. Having a coach cheering you on and pushing you beyond your limits makes all the difference.
Reason #7: You need expert resources.
Working with a health coach is more than just achieving exercise and nutrition goals, it can be a valuable learning experience.
Certified health coaches have a deep understanding of human physiology, body mechanics, behavior change, and nutritional science, making them a valuable resource for clients seeking comprehensive health knowledge.
Reason #8: You need someone to make decisions for you.
Working with a health coach can relieve you from the ongoing decision-making of managing your health and nutrition.
Having so many choices, from exercise habits to diet plans, can often lead to “decision fatigue,” which can lead to frustration. You may find it a relief to have a trusted expert guide you and help you narrow down your options.
Reason #9: You want to enjoy taking care of yourself.
Exercise doesn’t have to feel like a chore.
A health coach can help you find ways to be physically active that are enjoyable and make you look forward to taking care of yourself.
Not all exercises are right for everyone, but a health coach can help you find exercises that work—even if you’ve never exercised before.
Reason #10: You want to learn how to take care of yourself.
If your goal is to ultimately create and follow your intuition, working with a health coach can help you achieve that goal.
As we say, health coaches understand exercise, nutrition, and how the two work together to create a healthier lifestyle. By committing to learning health skills and knowledge that works for you, you will one day be able to take care of yourself sustainably.
Reason #11: You’re looking for long-term benefits.
Anyone can start exercising or following a fad diet.
However, a health coach will help you learn how to incorporate nutrition and exercise into your life. Sustainable.
This means taking into account your age, current fitness level, goals, lifestyle, and any other factors that affect your health. Long-term benefits include learning how to focus on all six aspects of deep health (not just what you eat and how much you exercise). These six aspects are:
- relationship health
- existential health
- Mental Health
- In good health
- emotional health
- environmental health
When you consider your mental health, your ability to focus and think clearly, how supportive your home and work environments are of your health, your relationships with others, and your overall sense of purpose, you will be more likely to create Have a plan that makes sense—and stick to it.
We’re here to help you achieve your goals
You don’t have to navigate your health journey alone.
The coaches at Precision Nutrition are experts in exercise and nutrition and behavior change and can help you achieve your goals effectively and safely.
Through our 1:1 coaching program, you’ll work with a coach who will use scientifically proven methods to tailor a nutrition and wellness plan based on your lifestyle, goals, and preferences. With help, you’ll learn how to incorporate healthy habits into your daily life for long-term success.
