What is Personalized Health Coaching
When I initially became interested in personalized health coaching, I was dealing with continuing health challenges that had actually plagued me since my teens. I had spent years in wrongful thinking about my health and future including:
- There is nothing I can do
- This is how my life will be
- I have no control
- This is part of getting older (yes, I even thought this in my teens)
- It doesn’t matter what I do
- Just take the recommended over-the-counters until more might be needed
Have you believed any of these statements?
Then one conversation with one doctor changed my life.
She simply suggested a possible connection between gluten and my newly discovered hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s) changed my awareness that I had power in my health journey.
With that one suggestion, I began my research in to Real, Whole (i.e. holistic) Health. Somewhere along my journey, I also discovered health coaching and Knew I had to share what I was learning with others. 
What Is A Health Coach?
Health coaches come from a variety of backgrounds.
Some already work in the medical industry as nurses, therapists, and practitioners. Others specialize in research, encouragement and motivation, organization and strategizing, while others come in to health coaching by way of personal experience and research and often a collection of additional training and certifications.
There are different schools to choose from, and each health coaching school offers a different approach. Some focus on training for specialized attention to a particular disease, health approach, or a certain eating style for example; others steer towards a more all-encompassing approach or a wider approach to coaching. Some coaches are trained and work within the western medical system specifically. Others can choose a path that works with the western medical system, as well as additional, traditional strategies.
Because of this, the title health coach is almost a generic title for those that cover a Wide variety of skills and strategies. 
What to Expect
With a typical health coach, expect lots of questions, as they gather a history and details about what you’re experiencing and what you hope to accomplish.
Your first meeting will usually be the longest and much of the questions will expand upon the information you provide in the previously completed questionnaire. Through an informed discussed you and your coach will work together to build a strategy and a small number of “assignments” to complete before the next appointment. These “assignments” will usually be based on getting you towards and to your big goals in manageable steps.
Follow-up appointments usually focus on successes in reaching the short term goals you had chosen during previous meetings, obstacles or struggles you experienced, changes you experienced, additional information, and goal strategy adjustments. 
The Right Coach for You
When hiring a coach, select someone that can inform and inspire you while helping you strategize, organize, and implement a plan to pursue your goals.
Every coach is different, so choose a coach that you feel comfortable with and will push you towards your goals.
Would you prefer working with a coach in your area or is online okay with you?
Maybe you’ll start with a free presentation.
Maybe you start with an online program.
Of course you might feel most comfortable going straight in to individual personalized health coaching appointments.
Personalized Health Coaching Right Here
It would be a little odd if I published this post without mentioning that I am a functional medicine certified health coach and have either completed or nearly completed other certifications and training to inform and empower clients in pursuing their health goals.
I tend to focus on helping women who struggle with weight, hormone, and digestion challenges to experience healing and increase comfort, energy, and clarity so they can live joyfully and help others.
The one-to-one personalized coaching can change periodically, so check out my current resources and services available HERE or email me at hellocoach @ elainewatkins.com.
Whatever you decide, remember you are your primary health advocate, and accessing the benefits of personalized health coaching can greatly impact your healthy future.
