Health Coaching

Dlittle76

I’ve been using MFP for awhile with tracking food and activities. I’ve never used the forum before. I recently signed up for WW to get the coaching aspect but very disappointed with the way the food are logged. Aside from limited food list, you can’t even see the Macros. I love MFP’s food list and recipes, I just wish there is a health coaching aspect to keep me accountable. Any thoughts on a health coaching App? Just digital as I don’t want in-person. Thanks.

Speakeasy76

What about Noom? I haven't tried it myself, but I believe there are health coaches through that site as well. Or, what about an independent health coach? Some employee wellness programs also may have health coaches available. There are also accountability groups on this forum, as well.

I am actually training to become a health coach myself. If I find out anything about where else you may able to find one, I'll try to remember to come back to this post!

callsitlikeiseeit

What exactly are you looking for a health coach to DO for you?

And the reason I ask this, is because motivation comes from within. You have to be accountable to YOURSELF. A health coach is not going to be with you from when you get up in the morning to when you go to bed at night. But you will be with yourself. And you have yourself to answer to every day.

The forums here are an AMAZING source of support and information, pretty much 24/7. I still learn something new almost every day, and I've been here nearly a decade. There are sub forums and groups for every way of eating (if you opt for a particular one) or workout regimen (weight lifting or running, etc). For every health condition you may have, or obstacle you may have (diabetes or depression, etc). To help you learn the basics of how to weigh and log food accurately and find accurate database entries ( https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300319/most-helpful-posts-general-health-fitness-and-diet-must-reads#latest ) , general support if youre having a rough time - building a great friends list can help with this or even posting a thread in the general forum saying ' hey im struggling' can get you support when you need it.

I looked into being a Health Coach a few years back. The qualifications, as I recall, are not hard to obtain. I can't speak for the coursework itself, obviously, but there was no prerequisite for any previous higher education (again, as I recall, it's been a few years since I looked into it and I have 2 Degrees, so it would be a moot point for me anyway) and it seemed as though if you paid for the course and passed, that was all that was needed. After that you just had to be able to 'sell' yourself (I seem to recall that actually being PART of the course), or get a job with some sort of larger company offering those services.

Just food for thought. Make the decision that is best for you, and your situation. If you do decide to hire a health coach, I would encourage you to do your research into that person carefully,check references (multiple), credentials, other Degrees/ educational background. Make sure that their 'style' and personality blends with yours. If you are laid back, you probably wouldnt 'mesh' well with someone with a militant personality And vice versa.

ninerbuff

Most "health coaches" I've ever heard from had limited knowledge on exercise regimens and even programming. Most are cookie cutter ones. I get why some people need them though. It takes some research to find one that actually fits the goals you're trying to attain because almost all of them will tell you what you want to hear. Part of the reason I love being a trainer is because I get to physically work with people and watch them change from week to week, month to month and adjust if we're not getting the results we both want. And of course I have to coach them along the way and explain to them why they may not be achieving if they aren't sticking to the given program.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

callsitlikeiseeit

ninerbuff wrote: »

Most "health coaches" I've ever heard from had limited knowledge on exercise regimens and even programming. Most are cookie cutter ones. I get why some people need them though. It takes some research to find one that actually fits the goals you're trying to attain because almost all of them will tell you what you want to hear. Part of the reason I love being a trainer is because I get to physically work with people and watch them change from week to week, month to month and adjust if we're not getting the results we both want. And of course I have to coach them along the way and explain to them why they may not be achieving if they aren't sticking to the given program.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

^^ this guy, knows what he's talking about. I would hire him, or a GOOD Personal Trainer, over a health coach any day of the week. I think it would be money much better spent. I have no doubt he would be willing to answer questions on how to find a good one and what questions to ask.

Speakeasy76

ninerbuff wrote: »

Most "health coaches" I've ever heard from had limited knowledge on exercise regimens and even programming. Most are cookie cutter ones. I get why some people need them though. It takes some research to find one that actually fits the goals you're trying to attain because almost all of them will tell you what you want to hear. Part of the reason I love being a trainer is because I get to physically work with people and watch them change from week to week, month to month and adjust if we're not getting the results we both want. And of course I have to coach them along the way and explain to them why they may not be achieving if they aren't sticking to the given program.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

They're not supposed to be personal trainers, which is why they don't have training on exercise and programming or really any training on it. If their client wants advice on that, hopefully they'd refer them to a reputable personal trainer.

While a health coach does have some training on basic nutrition, they are also supposed to get training on the actual "coaching" part of it, which is just as important IMO as the nutrition part of it. The idea is that the coach is there to guide, not direct. And no, you don't need a lot of background knowledge or education to get it--which is why it's a certification program and not a degree.

kshama2001

I was able to get a registered dietitian for free through the VA but frankly find the forums here more helpful and let her go.

Previously, I was with the VA's TeleMOVE program and checked in with a nurse once a week. Again, I found the forums here more useful.

When my emotional eating kicked back in due to the pandemic I started CBT therapy. I didn't like my first therapist, and intern, but my current one, a PhD., is great, and provides a service I can't get from the forums.

ninerbuff

Speakeasy76 wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

Most "health coaches" I've ever heard from had limited knowledge on exercise regimens and even programming. Most are cookie cutter ones. I get why some people need them though. It takes some research to find one that actually fits the goals you're trying to attain because almost all of them will tell you what you want to hear. Part of the reason I love being a trainer is because I get to physically work with people and watch them change from week to week, month to month and adjust if we're not getting the results we both want. And of course I have to coach them along the way and explain to them why they may not be achieving if they aren't sticking to the given program.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

They're not supposed to be personal trainers, which is why they don't have training on exercise and programming or really any training on it. If their client wants advice on that, hopefully they'd refer them to a reputable personal trainer.

While a health coach does have some training on basic nutrition, they are also supposed to get training on the actual "coaching" part of it, which is just as important IMO as the nutrition part of it. The idea is that the coach is there to guide, not direct. And no, you don't need a lot of background knowledge or education to get it--which is why it's a certification program and not a degree.

Which can be the dilema for many because since one doesn't need hardly any background knowledge or education, then how does that person really know what they're getting from that coach is actually the most useful information for the position that they may be in?
There are a lot of people in gyms that think they can easily be a trainer just because they've trained for a long period of time. But what I've seen over and over again is that these people would just train them on the program THEY KNOW worked for them and not necessarily the program a person actually needs.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Speakeasy76

ninerbuff wrote: »

Speakeasy76 wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

Most "health coaches" I've ever heard from had limited knowledge on exercise regimens and even programming. Most are cookie cutter ones. I get why some people need them though. It takes some research to find one that actually fits the goals you're trying to attain because almost all of them will tell you what you want to hear. Part of the reason I love being a trainer is because I get to physically work with people and watch them change from week to week, month to month and adjust if we're not getting the results we both want. And of course I have to coach them along the way and explain to them why they may not be achieving if they aren't sticking to the given program.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

They're not supposed to be personal trainers, which is why they don't have training on exercise and programming or really any training on it. If their client wants advice on that, hopefully they'd refer them to a reputable personal trainer.

While a health coach does have some training on basic nutrition, they are also supposed to get training on the actual "coaching" part of it, which is just as important IMO as the nutrition part of it. The idea is that the coach is there to guide, not direct. And no, you don't need a lot of background knowledge or education to get it--which is why it's a certification program and not a degree.

Which can be the dilema for many because since one doesn't need hardly any background knowledge or education, then how does that person really know what they're getting from that coach is actually the most useful information for the position that they may be in?
There are a lot of people in gyms that think they can easily be a trainer just because they've trained for a long period of time. But what I've seen over and over again is that these people would just train them on the program THEY KNOW worked for them and not necessarily the program a person actually needs.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I don't think a health coach shouldn't be prescribing anything, including any kind of special diets. The idea is to provide mostly widely-accepted (hopefully) and evidenced-based information out there, and guide the client in deciding how to best meet their goals with that information. If someone wants a specific diet with calories, macronutrients and micronutrients prescribed to them, their best bet is to meet with an RD.

Ultimately, I think it's up to the person seeking the help to decide which person is right for them and their goals, and it doesn't always necessarily depend on amount of education or years of experience. I have 2 perfect examples of this from just today in my regular, master's degree-required job. I started 2 new clients today in which the families requested new therapists because the old therapist's styles and/or presentation just wasn't working for them and their kids. It's really all about open communication, which can be hard for people who avoid conflict (me included).

kshama2001

Dlittle76 wrote: »

I’ve been using MFP for awhile with tracking food and activities. I’ve never used the forum before. I recently signed up for WW to get the coaching aspect but very disappointed with the way the food are logged. Aside from limited food list, you can’t even see the Macros. I love MFP’s food list and recipes, I just wish there is a health coaching aspect to keep me accountable. Any thoughts on a health coaching App? Just digital as I don’t want in-person. Thanks.

I get not wanting to do in person, but would remote be ok? In that case, I would recommend Heather of Half Size Me.

https://www.halfsizeme.com

If you want an actual app, you might get some weird results. People have complained about the Noom coaching feeling AI, and not in a good way.