“Wellness coaching is a powerful relationship between a client and coach which explores the client’s greatest health concerns and goals, the obstacles to achieving those goals, and strategies to overcome the obstacles.”  Ellen Goldman

What do you think it would be like to work with a Wellness Coach?

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.  (Prov. 27:17;NIV)

Most of you who have followed our posts for any length of time know that I am passionate about educating and empowering others about wellness.  Since my own health was nearly destroyed, I have a tremendous appreciation for being well.  And I want others to be “well” along with me.  If I can prevent anyone from walking through what I did, I’ll teach and preach wellness as long as I have breath.

Perhaps you’ve wondered, “What does Sharon really do?  How does having a wellness coach work?  How could she help me?”  Many people know what they need to do to walk in better health.  They know they need to exercise more, eat less fast food, and drink more water.  But, they don’t do it!  They might make a declaration of “No more fast food!”  The first week they do well at avoiding the golden arches.  They actually make a few meals from scratch and eat at home several nights.  The next week finds their schedule even busier than the week before and their SUV automatically swerves into the “drive-through” for a burger and fries.  “Supersize that while you’re at it!”  Before long they’re lured back into the habitual use of fast food.   They feel defeated and discouraged but they really don’t know how to make lasting change.

A wellness coach rides in on a white horse to the rescue.  Well, that’s a stretch but it sure sounds good.   Seriously, working with a wellness coach can prevent that kind of self-sabotaging behavior.  Having encouragement, support, and accountability provides what the client needs to walk out their plan.  When I work with a client, we look at their desired goals and outcomes they would like to reach.  Some people are ready to dig in and attack it all…their eating, their exercise, their stress levels, etc.  Other clients want and need to take it a little slower…even one thing at a time.

Initially I do an assessment with the client to determine where they are with their current level of health and wellness.  How well are they sleeping?  What are their energy levels like each day?  How satisfied are they with their current weight?  How much water are they really drinking each day?  As I ask specific questions, the client begins to really ponder where they are in relation to their health and how far away they are from the mark.  Then we begin setting simple, realistic and reachable goals or action items.  We set up an accountability structure as a safeguard for the client…not as a tool to clobber them over the head. They get excited at the thought that they can make lasting change. If someone is drinking four diet sodas a day, we’ll explore this.  What is this doing for them?  What will it take for them to stop doing this?  I do a lot of educating when I work with a client.  I not only tell them why something isn’t good for them, I offer replacements of healthier options and I offer resources for them to do their own research to substantiate what I’ve told them.

We talk together for about an hour, two to three times per month depending on their need.  They can send emails to me with questions in between calls.  We work on everything from how much water they really need to be drinking to what time they’re going to bed each night.  (I once worked with a client for three months on her getting to bed before midnight.)  Even though someone says they want to make changes, there are many aspects involved with making the lasting change.  A coach can and does bring much needed help and support so the client can become and stay WELL.

Prayer Power
Father, we are so grateful that our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Thank You for giving us wisdom on how to care for them.

Link of the Day
The Christian Coaching Center – Wellness Coaching

Blessings on you as you ponder what it would be like to work with a wellness coach.

Photo by Dominique Sanchez

“Failure is more frequently from want of energy than want of capital.”  Daniel Webster

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your average energy level?

Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen.  (1 Peter 4:11; NLT)

This promises to be a relatively short DG to end the week.  We’re away, and I confess that I just didn’t get to spend the usual attention I try to give to writing.  I did run across an extremely helpful blog post this week that I wanted to share with you.  It goes right along with the emphasis we have been giving to wellness over the last several weeks.

One of the biggest complaints we get when talking about wellness with clients is a lack of energy.  People are using all kinds of stimulants to get the energy level they feel they need just to function normally.  People say they can’t even think in the morning before they’ve had their coffee.  They drink far too much cola and other drinks containing caffeine throughout the day to get that little boost in energy to keep going. 

One of the most frightening trends we are seeing is the incredible popularity of the “high-octane,” potently caffeinated, super sugary drinks that are available everywhere anymore.  Even more alarming is that a lot of that popularity is with teens of all ages.  They are learning to falsely rev up their systems to extremely high levels at a very young age.  This can only lead to adrenal exhaustion among other things.  It is absolutely frightening to speculate on the repercussions they will reap in their twenties and thirties. 

The answer to needing more energy never seems to be the obvious get more rest.  Or eat the right foods.  Or any of a number of natural things that can be done, many of which are covered in our e-book, UNCOMMON Wellness Coaching.  That segues into the link of the day that I wanted to share with our readers.  While we don’t endorse everything on the list, there is enough that we do endorse that makes this link an incredible resource.  We would like to suggest that you spend the weekend trying some of these “natural” ideas and see if you don’t see an amazing difference in your energy levels.

Prayer Power
Father, we again thank You for the incredible physical body you gave each of us.  We thank You for the amazing ways it can repair and rejuvenate itself when properly cared for.  Guide us and direct us to those “natural” ways that work in conjunction with our bodies.

Link of the Day
55 Ways to Get More Energy

Blessings on you as you experiment with some of the techniques to boost your energy this weekend.

“The average human looks without seeing, listens without hearing, touches without feeling, eats without tasting, moves without physical awareness, inhales without awareness of odor or fragrance….and talks without thinking.”  Leonardo da Vinci

If your daily eating habits were shown on the nightly news, what kind of comments would it generate?

His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”  (John 11:12; NIV)

How many of you get ideas when taking a shower?  I’ve heard a number of people say that creative ideas come to them when they’re “all wet.”  I’m no exception.  I’ve realized that people enjoy short, doable bullets that they can easily begin to implement when making changes around their health and wellness.  So, last week I had a few bubble to the surface while in the shower.

• Five days a week eat an organic apple.  We all know that eating apples are a good thing for us to do.  What can you do to become more diligent about eating an apple a day?  Since apples are one of the highest sprayed crops in terms of pesticide use, I recommend eating organic apples.  Most supermarkets are now carrying some organic produce and apples are usually one of the most popular items.  Buying them in two to three pound bags is usually more economical.  Apples contain fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients, all of which benefit our bodies.
• Seven times a week eat a large leafy, green salad.  (Iceberg lettuce does NOT count here.)  Use organic spring mix, mixed baby greens or romaine lettuce.  Include spinach and lots of other fresh vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, colored peppers, onions, tomatoes and avocados.  Many nutritional experts advocate eating a fresh, green salad with lunch AND dinner.  In case that’s a bit much for some of our readers, begin with eating one seven times a week.  We enjoy walnuts and or sunflower seeds on our salads as well as a few dried cranberries.  For dressing ideas see www.nutrition777.com.
• At least three times a week have eggs for breakfast instead of cereal.  I don’t recommend eating cereal at all but if you’re beginning to make a shift here, then begin with eating eggs a few days instead of cereal.  Eat the entire egg, the way God created it.  Soft boiled, scrambled, or over easy are all acceptable.  I recommend using coconut oil for cooking.  BTW, eggs do NOT cause elevated cholesterol.  That’s a huge myth and a topic for another Daily Gram.
• Five nights a week get to bed before or by 10:30.  Your body will thank you.  Again, most nutritional gurus say to be consistent every night of the week with the bedtime, most maintaining that 10:00 is optimum.  However, if you’re accustomed to staying up until 11:30, then begin by backing up your bedtime to 10:30 at least five nights a week, then optimally 10:00 each night.  The body repairs, restores and recharges itself while we sleep.  Inadequate rest and sleep contributes to many health issues and may even shorten life span by eight to ten years.
• Decrease your intake of eating fried foods to…ZERO times a week.  Seriously, there are no acceptable numbers for eating fried foods.  If you’re currently eating fried foods, then may I challenge you to examine how many times a week you’re eating them, and decrease that number starting today.  Fried foods are one of the worst health robbers that we could ever eat.  Why risk eating them?

Prayer Power
Father, thank You for your grace and mercy that is new every morning.

Link of the Day
UNCOMMON Wellness Coaching ebook

Blessings on you as you continue to make shifts and changes in taking care of your body.