Before setting out to work with a lifestyle or wellness coach, it is important to know what one is and the purpose or aim of working with them. Over the last 20 years many have heard of the use of coaches in the area of business, health, fitness, nutrition and wellness. There is now an ever growing popularity and demand for them. But what exactly do they do?

A wellness coach for example guides their clients in the area of wellness behavioural related changes to their lifestyle. They assist by creating strategies and routines to help the client attain their health, fitness or wellness goals.

A qualified wellness or lifestyle coach also knows when there is a need to refer their client to other professionals such as physicians, registered dieticians, nutritionists, psychologists or another relevant professional in order to do what is ethical for the client. A wellness coach supports a client as they determine how to achieve their health and lifestyle goals.

A wellness coach is someone who promotes health and provides educative materials, tips and concepts in order to unleash their client’s potential to benefit from the best lifestyle decisions. There are four main factors that should be considered.

1. Enjoyment: Your coach should skillfully encourage you into a broad range of leisure activities through their knowledge of fitness and nutrition along with other motivational techniques. The main aim is to assist you to remove mental barriers and inhibitions that prevent you from enjoying life.

2. Choose Freely: A wellness coach should help you to understand the different formats and options that are available and which ones are best suited to you and your lifestyle.

3. Growth: A lifestyle coach should encourage growth by introducing you to a lifestyle that engages in challenging and rewarding activities which leaves you with a sense of achievement.

4. The ability to identify meaning: A coach helps you to recognise worth and value in your life by way of completing your specific targeted goals

A wellness coach aims to refocus, enhance, preserve and maintain good health ideals and a general sense of wellbeing. Your coach should have a non judgemental attitude and perceive clients as those who require added support to improve their self esteem, character strengths and the lifestyle that is desired. This should be done through realistic goals and solutions. A great coach constantly updates themselves with new information, they are exemplary, consistent, compassionate, understanding, they communicate and listen well. They leave you feeling that you have progressed and are ready for the next steps. You should feel an internal motivation, not just the effects of outward directions and orders. You should actually feel that your coach believes in you and that they believe that you can get past your limitations, the next step is for you to convince yourself.