What is a Health Coach?

"Health Coaching is a support tool in educating, developing, and empowering one in self-care management." - Dr. Oz

Anytime I introduce myself as a "holistic health coach" people politely smile and nod.  They have absolutely NO idea what the heck it means - HA!  If I'm lucky, someone will make an effort to ask more about my health coaching, but most of the time I have to make it clear right off the bat.  Once I explain what I do, it's like the flood gates have opened!  People are usually so intrigued that almost instantly begin asking questions about their health, what they should be eating, etc.  

So that you're clear, I've summed up what my job as a health coach is below.  

If you or someone you know could use the assistance of a health coach, give me a holla!

I'm Someone Who Will Really Listen

Health Coaches are knowledgeable advisors who provide ongoing support and guidance as you set goals and make sustainable changes that improve your health and happiness. As your Health Coach, I will listen carefully and help you to navigate the world of contradictory nutrition advice to determine what changes are necessary for you.

Why a Health and Nutrition Coach?

When was the last time you talked with someone about your health and received the personal attention you deserve? It’s rare for anyone to get an hour to work on their nutrition and fitness goals with a trained professional. As a Health Coach, I create a supportive environment that will enable you to achieve all of your health goals. I have studied all the major dietary theories and use practical lifestyle coaching methods to guide you in discovering which approach works best for you.

Realistic Goals With Real Results

Most approach to nutrition dwells on real, wholesome food. Instead of creating lists of restrictions and good and bad foods, I coach my clients to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun and free of denial and discipline. No one diet or fitness program works for everyone.

I will guide you to find the food and lifestyle choices that best support you. I will also help you to make gradual, lifelong changes that enable you to reach your current and future health goals.

I bet you didn't know...

Being "bad" in Nicaragua and enjoying an amazing Tona beer
even though beer now tears my stomach apart
(damn you gluten!).  As you can see,  I really
enjoyed it...it was worth it!

...that as a Health Coach I struggle with the same issues when it comes to taking care of my body that everyone else does:

I find it challenging to squeeze in my morning yoga/meditation practice on most days. 

Many times I run to the store (or order in) for a meal instead of cooking up something truly nourishing.

I eat a few too many bites of bread while out to eat when I know for sure it will make my stomach hurt and make me sleepy.  

I ignore signs that my body is clearly giving me (like when I'm tired and just want to rest, but keep going because I feel I have too much to do, or when my nails become brittle and flaky because of how poorly I've been feeding myself...etc.).

I eat a few too many cookies and sometimes not even just after a meal, but in place of a meal!

I can go on about this, because we all have our quirks and struggles when it comes to our health.  It's not easy to be 100%, 100% of the time.  Sometimes it feels good to be bad and skip a workout, not respond to an email or eat something we know will make us sick.  But, we cannot go on like this.  I adapted the 90/10 rule to my life back when I was in nutrition school and since then my life has been much less stressful because I allow myself some room for imperfections.  90% of the time I'm on point with taking care of my body/mind while the other 10% is left to goof off.  I highly recommend this to everyone.  Most of the time take good care of your body:  Feed it right, unwind at some point of each day, take deep breaths whenever you think of it, laugh a lot, smile and say hello to everyone you encounter, treat yourself, chew your food, enjoy your workouts, celebrate the blessings in your life!  And then, a few times a week give yourself some room to just say, "F-it."  HAHA!  I'm serious though.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes.  We all have our struggles, it's a part of being human.  Lighten your attitude, know that you can't be perfect and just do the best you can each & every day!

Dear Body, here is my letter of health.

Finding balance isn't easy for any of us.  It's something that we all have to constantly work at.  When I find that my body is out of balance causing my health to be off, I sit down and write what I know I need to do to better it.  Below is an example of what's going on right now and what I need to do to get myself back on track:

Dear precious body of mine, 

I am sorry for burning the candles at both ends these past few months and not feeding you with the proper food or nourishment you deserve.  I intend to do the following to help nurse you back to balance:

1. To take some deep breaths and relax my shoulders each morning and throughout each day, whenever I have a moment of stress or anxiety.  

2.  To nourish you with warm, comforting herbal tea and home-cooked soups, healthy whole food meals and plenty of water.  

3.  To rest and take breaks more often.  You work hard and deserve plenty of relaxation.

Thank you lovely body of mine!  

Love always, 

Lauren

What would you write to your body right now so that you can begin to balance out what's going on with your health?

How do you "Center Your Health?"

I named my health counseling and yoga business after a short phrase that encompasses so much in just 3 little words: Center Your Health. Health isn't just about how well you eat, but also about how much you exercise, how much time you devote to self-care, how much energy you put into things like your career and relationships, and overall how well you take care of your health. My practice comes from a holistic standpoint, meaning that I incorporate an integrative approach to health and wellness. I believe it's important to nourish your body, mind and spirit. In doing so, we improve the quality of our lives resulting in an overall feeling of health and happiness. So, below are the 3 ways that I center my health on a consistent basis. What are yours?

How I Center My Health:

1. Each morning I roll out of bed and onto my yoga mat where I allow my body to move however it needs to. Generally, this means a few rounds of sun salutations followed by some gentle stretches and maybe an inversion (I love to stand on my head). I then sit in silence for anywhere from just 60 seconds to as long as 30 minutes (depending on how much time I have or how I'm feeling) and breathe deeply. I follow my breath, listen to the silence (or the birds chirping outside), silently repeat my mantra until I awaken with a smile and give gratitude to all of the countless blessings in my life.

2. I prepare wholesome, real foods from the Earth each day and drink plenty of water. A whole foods diet healed my IBS and anxiety disorder and continues to heal me whenever I need it to. When I eat real food, my body is balanced meaning for me: I sleep well, have my stress under control, experience healthy regularity (wink, wink), can think more clear and concentrate each day as well as have lots of energy! Basically, whole foods allow my body and mind to function at their best. The energy and love that I put into preparing the foods I eat nourish my body and soul on such a deep level. I also enjoy sharing food I've prepared with others so that they get a healthy dose of "Vitamin L." It's such a beautiful thing.

3. I do what I love, each day. Whether it be my job, practicing yoga, taking a jog around my lovely town, visiting with friends or family, journaling, playing with food in the kitchen, creating a piece of art, etc. I like to think of filling each day up with as many wonderful things as I can, or at least making the best of every experience so that I'm living the best life possible! On the days when I'm not so gung-ho, I'll jot down some things that I'm grateful for in my gratitude journal by my bed. This always ends with me drifting off to sleep with a smile because even when there are patches of grey in our lives, we still have SO many things to be thankful for.

Now it's your turn. What are the 3 ways that you Center Your Health? Post your ways below or jot them down for you to keep somewhere as a reminder to care for yourself on all different levels and live your best life!