We all know it’s a good idea to skip the big slice of cake, hit the gym regularly, and to eat our fruits and veggies. So why don’t we? It can be hard to stay on track on your own—but having someone in your corner may help keep you focused on your healthy goals. Whether you want to lose weight, improve your nutrition, or exercise more, wellness coaches can help you succeed. Many companies are now offering wellness coaching programs as part of their employee benefits package.
Losing weight or changing your diet is easier said than done. Luckily, wellness coaches are trained to provide you with the support, skills, and motivation you need to make permanent, healthy lifestyle changes. They can help you break down daunting goals (like losing 50 pounds in a year) into smaller, achievable goals (like losing ten pounds over a shorter period of time). Coaches are also trained to help you identify your strengths, plus understand psychological barriers that may keep you from achieving your goals and help you develop personalized strategies to overcome them.
What types of things can a wellness coach help me with?
No two wellness coaching programs are exactly the same, but the majority of them have trained their coaches to help you with:
- Weight management
- Fitness and exercise
- Nutrition
- Tobacco cessation
- Stress management
- And other topics, depending on the specific wellness coaching program available to you
How can I contact a wellness coach?
If your company offers a wellness coaching program as an employee benefit, refer to your company’s benefits materials to learn how to contact a coach. Typically, wellness coaches are available via telephone or email, and some programs may also make coaches available via instant message.
For Health Advocate members
If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, call us to speak to a Wellness Coach and get on your way to making lasting healthy lifestyle changes! Our wellness coaches typically work with participants over the phone or over secure web messaging so that it is easy and convenient for you. Everything that you discuss with your personal wellness coach is confidential, so you can feel completely at ease during your conversations. Plus, you can check in with your wellness coach and report your progress as often you’d like.
Have a question for a Health Advocate? Email nhess@healthadvocate.com, and your question may be the topic of an upcoming “Ask a Health Advocate” column!
