What is a health and wellness coach? That’s what everyone is asking these days. Why? Because it’s the latest trend in fitness and coaching.

Most people don’t imagine themselves working with a health and wellness coach. When you’re a young adult, you might hire a personal fitness trainer for a time, but seeking out the services of a health and wellness coach doesn’t usually cross your mind.

Baby Boomers and the Quest for the Fountain of Youth

However, as you grow older, as the millions of baby boomers have done, you might start asking the question: What is a health and wellness coach?

Millions of baby boomers are seeking the fountain of youth. Ponce Deleon may not have found it in Florida, but baby boomers are beginning to find it by using the services of health and wellness coaches.

Baby boomers want to fight the ravages of age by seeking ways to become fitter, leaner, more active, less wrinkly, and more energetic. Father Time will never be stopped, but millions are trying to slow it down.

According to a study by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the most important fitness trend in the world is “educated and experienced fitness professionals.” If you were asking the question: What are health and wellness coaches? – educated and experienced fitness professionals might be one of the answers.

What is a Health and Wellness Coach and Why Do We Need One?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that two-thirds of all Americans are overweight and that one-third are obese. Is there any more compelling data to prove that millions of people could benefit from the services of a wellness coach?

What are Some of the Health Risks of Being Overweight?

Being overweight is not funny – it is bad for your health. Obesity can lead to or be a contributing factor in the following serious health issues:

• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Sleep Apnea
• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Kidney Disease
• Fatty Liver Disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Cancer

How Can a Health and Wellness Coach Help?

So, what is a health and wellness coach and what can one do for their clients?

• Help clients learn new behaviors that are healthier.
• Help clients understand the way nutrition and healthy eating work in a healthy lifestyle.
• Help clients understand the importance of exercise.
• Work with clients to determine exercise programs and activities that they will enjoy for the duration of their lifetimes.
• Help clients identify their goals.
• Work with clients to create steps toward achieving their goals.
• Help clients develop self-management techniques to stay focused and healthy.
• Inspire and motivate clients to achieve their health and wellness goals.

When you ask the question: What is a health and wellness coach? – it is also important to know what they aren’t. A wellness coach is not a personal trainer, a yoga instructor, a Pilates teacher, a buddy at the gym, or a gym teacher.

A health coach will work alongside an individual who is seeking optimal wellness in their lives. A health coach is not a doctor, physical therapist, or a psychiatrist. Wellness coaches will help their clients find balance in their lives by helping them eliminate unhealthy behaviors and reach their health goals.

Sounds like a great gig, right? You get to help people and make some good money. It’s a hot field in the coaching biz! What else could you ask for in a career?

What is a health and wellness coach? It could be what you call yourself if you have the desire, the guts, the goods, and the motivation to help others and yourself be healthy and happy! And perhaps even wealthy!

Hope you took some great value out of this post today! I’d love to hear your feedback, so make sure you leave a comment with your thoughts or questions. And also, you can click on the Twitter button below to retweet this article…Thank you!

Fred Philips
Business Coach
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