Most people do – every year. But there is a growing trend that is supporting an increasing number of people to fulfill the commitments they make regarding their health and well-being – in fact, in their lives overall.
It’s coaching, and it comes in many forms… general life coaching, health coaching, sports coaching, relationship coaching; educational and academic coaching; leadership and business coaching.
What Are the Benefits of Coaching?
Except for an elite few, the concept of coaching was limited in the past to the sports arena. However, in the last decade, recognition of the benefits inherent in a structured coaching relationship has influenced the evolution of coaching as a means by which those striving for breakthroughs in their personal, interpersonal, professional and financial lives are better able to reach their goals.
Specifically, health coaching is becoming recognized as a new way to help individuals manage their illnesses and conditions, especially those of a chronic nature like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. According to Laila Qadira Yamini, founder of Footsteps To Wellness (FTW), health coaching serves the purpose of helping people to identify personal health goals and develop strategies for achieving those goals.
“I find most of my clients don’t have a system for realistically accomplishing their health goals… even though they may be serious about their goals and motivated. Consequently, when they encounter challenges, they have no concrete program in place to address and overcome them.
“Life is designed so that when we are working towards a goal, we naturally run up against roadblocks. Often, they are emotional in nature. If we don't effectively remove these blocks, they'll keep reappearing. Then, we get frustrated and eventually give up.
“The coaching process helps clients, first, to accept that there will be challenges to meeting their goals so that they not only anticipate them, but with help, they're able to map out well thought-out strategies for dealing with them when they arise.”
Footsteps to Wellness Services
Laila Qadira also offers classes and workshops on nutrition-related topics ranging from food quality to healthy meal preparation. She says that the majority of her clients are middle-aged professional women, and other individuals who are highly health consciousness, but lead busy lives that do not permit them to invest the time and energy that they’d like to into their health.
One of those clients, Halima Ceesay, feels she has really benefited from her coaching experience with FTW: “Qadira has appropriately named her holistic health mentoring program. She'll hold your hand if that is what you need. Taking you step by step, she covers all of the vital components involved in becoming a more “whole” person... Last but not least, Qadira has a very beautiful and calming spirit and personality.”
You May Feel Like Giving Up... But You Don't Have To
If you’re one of those people who are guilt-ridden because you’ve broken a few resolutions yourself, relax. Laila Qadira offers this bit of reassurance, “It’s perfectly normal and predictable, and I’d advise you to seriously consider utilizing the services of a health coach. However, if you’re unable to, at least find a buddy to work with you to set up achievable health goals and a course of action, as well as a back-up plan for when you encounter your personal roadblocks.”
By the way, FTW virtual coaching is forthcoming.
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Readers may also enjoy How Committed Are You? An Honest Look at How You Deal with Commitment and Working with a Personal Coach.
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