Health Coaching 101

Does this health coaching thing really work? Can people really be helped by meeting with someone twice a month for 6 months to talk about their health? Well, I'm going to find out. While in theory I believe this is a good program, I can't in all honesty say that I have a testimony of it because I've never tried it for myself. But now I find myself about 40 pounds heavier than I was a year ago and not exactly looking the part of a health coach. So now is the perfect opportunity for me to test this theory. I'm going to be my own health coach for the next 6 months as I work to get into shape again. I'm going to give myself recommendations and then "meet" with myself every 2 weeks to review how I'm doing with those recommendations. I'm going to see if this really works.

As I go through this process, I'm going to really examine what works and what doesn't work in my program and start tweaking it where necessary. I feel confident that by the end of the 6 months I will not only be a happier, healthier individual but also I will have a solid health coaching plan that I believe in and that I know will be effective for those who come to me for help.

Today I am going to do a health history consultation on myself. I will report back as I go through this process, recognizing that there will likely be backslides now and then and the occasional binge here and there. But that's life. And that's going to happen. And I'm still going to be successful, even with my imperfections.

Todays stats:

body fat: 38.3%

weight: 153.8 lbs

I actually don't care so much about weight, but since % body fat is more difficult to measure on a regular basis (at least with any accuracy), I will include my weight to help gauge progress.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! There is so much to be grateful for, and we can find so much happiness when we choose to focus on our blessings.

Yesterday my family and I went to a running path near our home and did our own little family 5k walk/run. We had so much fun! My 7-year-old daughter ended up alone with me while the other kids ran (or were pushed in the stroller) ahead with Dad. My daughter was giddy that she suddenly got some unexpected alone time with Mommy. The two of us had a great time exploring new paths, looking for bats, and trying not to scare the birds in the nearby trees. We really enjoyed just being spontaneous and laughing together. I love being a mom! That is definitely at the top of my list when I feel the need to start counting my blessings.

2012 Holiday Challenge Time!

With Thanksgiving only a day away, the time has come to set some goals to help you make it through the next 6 weeks in good shape physically and emotionally. Now don't get carried away with this idea. Making a goal to lose 10 lbs. this season might not be a great goal if you have historically gained 10 lbs. over the holidays. But making a goal to maintain your current weight might be a great goal. So choose a goal that is appropriate for wherever you are, physically and emotionally, today.

Next step: Write down HOW you are going to make that goal happen, e.g. limit the number of sweets you eat each day, make exercise a priority despite the chaos that ensues, drink more water, etc.

Third: As I mentioned in a recent blog post, visualizing yourself achieving your goal can be very powerful. So every morning, take a few minutes imagining yourself on January 2nd as having succeeded at your goal. Imagine how happy you are going to feel, how proud of yourself you will be for having achieved this goal! How do you look? How does it feel? How does it sound? Imagine yourself eating that delicious, healthy meal instead of the pumpkin pie leftovers and how good the healthy food tastes to you. Really get into the visualization!

Add to that a little moral support and some tracking of your goal progress, and voila! Successful goal setting at it's finest! Okay, so maybe it's not quite that easy. But this can be a recipe for success if you don't let yourself get psyched out by it. Short-term goals are definitely the way to go when you're just starting out, so take this opportunity to start next year's resolution-setting off on the right foot before next year even starts!