What a Health Coach Does for Fitness, Diet and Mental Health

There is an overwhelming amount of messaging that bombards us when it comes to weight loss programs, dieting and working out. A health coach is a great partner to help you reach your fitness goals while improving mental health and well-being. Learn more about what a health coach does and what to expect when you start working with one.

What is a Personal Health Coach?

A personal health coach:

• • Listens to their clients’ needs and challenges, then guides, directs, and holds them accountable.
  • Empowers clients to adopt and sustain healthy lifestyle behaviors that prevent, mitigate, and reverse chronic diseases.
  • Focuses on the whole person by looking at a broader, more comprehensive view of one’s life.
  • Helps clients achieve healthy routines to reach goals plus improve their physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
  • Creates meal and workout plans to help clients establish healthy habits.
  • Optimizes their clients’ health and wellbeing, enhancing their ability to truly thrive.

What Certification Does a Health Coach Have?

A credible health coach will have a nationally accredited professional certification through one of the premier certifying agencies such as the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) or the International Coach Federation (ICF). These are the highest standard of competence for a coaching professional and provide assurance to the general population that the coach has mastered foundational principles in coaching. The ACE Health Coach Certification is the only health coach certification accredited by the NCCA, and is considered the gold standard in health and fitness.

Health Coach vs Nutritionist

While a health coach helps clients make healthier, long-lasting food choices, they differ from a nutritionist because a nutritionist only focuses on dietary challenges, habits, and education to improve one’s health.  As previouly mentioned, a certified health coach focuses on the whole person by looking at a broader, more comprehensive view of one’s life.

Health Coach vs Personal or Gym Trainer

A personal trainer focuses on the physiological side of health such as exercising, muscle growth, and weight loss. A health coach can create workouts and exercise plans for weight loss or other goals, but they offer more of a mental well-being focus. Learn more about the differences between a health coach vs. personal or gym trainer.
Read more to compare a Health Coach to a Personal Trainer…

What Can a Health Coach Do for Me?

You may feel so busy and overwhelmed trying to find work-life balance that you can’t imagine fitting in time to lose weight, eat healthier, and exercise. A health coach helps you make a plan that reaches your goals even if you are always working or traveling. They awaken you to your own unique skills, strengths, abilities, and untapped potential by utilizing behavioral-changing techniques. A health coach helps you optimize your health and well-being so you can truly thrive in life.