So, what do you do again?

The term "coach" is a popular one these days and, let's be honest, its a little vague. So, What does a health and wellness "coach" actually do?

Have you ever had an exceptional coach? Someone who saw you - really saw you - and what you were capable of? Someone who challenged you to be your best and held your heart when you weren't?

I want to be that kind of coach.

As a health and wellness coach, my job isn't to give you all the answers or tell you what to do. You are the world's leading expert on yourself. Sure, we all have blind spots, but I'm betting you can me tell how you feel and why, what has worked, what hasn't, what has motivated you, what has hampered your efforts, and ultimately: what has brought you to where you are today and where you want to go. You don't need me to tell you those things.

My job is to 1) listen to understand, 2) help you figure out how to get from here to there, 3) walk with you down your chosen path, and 4) jump up and down like a crazy person when you get to where you wanted to go!

Listen to Understand

How does the best version of you think, speak, act, and feel (and, depending on your goal, maybe even look)? Why is this goal important to you? What has worked in the past? What hasn't? How confident do you feel about your ability to reach this goal? We talk about all of this at our very first meeting - it's important to me to hear your story.

Figure it Out

What tools do you already have? What do you need? What will you do in the face of an obstacle or temptation? How and when will you implement your action steps ("I'm going to go for a thirty minute walk after dinner on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday")? Are there steps you need to take ahead of time to prepare for your action items? How and when will you achieve those things?

Get to steppin'

Once we build your plan and map out potential obstacles, we can really get going. I like to check in at least twice a week - once in person (like a video call) and once via text or email. Having a coach is as much about accountability as anything so these weekly check-ins are important. Each week we set small goals and we build on them. Maybe during our first call your goal is to drink half your weight in ounces of water every day (no, I'm not exaggerating, that's how much you need). If you feel good about that at the end of the week, you would roll that into the next week and set another small goal. After each call, I send you a summary email reminding you of your goals for the week.

When we hit a bump in the road we talk about it, adjust our strategy and keep moving. We haven't failed until we've stopped trying.

Celebrate!

This happens all along the way - whether you've reached your water goal, slept for eight hours, had the energy to play with your kids at the park or you got in to those jeans - let's celebrate it all! My clients have sent me dressing room selfies, texts about successful meal prepping, or the title of the book they're reading in an effort to slow down. I am here for all of it!!

So what do you think? Email me and tell me about the best coach you ever had.

Next week: habits are life