What a Wellness Coach, Educator, Coordinator or whatever the title is at the current time means to me. Currently not a Wellness anything, but a Wellness and Fitness student, that is what I am. My passion is to become that person that helps others become healthy and in the process - happy! This is my Wellness Manifesto, Mission or whatever it is - this is what I believe a Wellness person should be.
• First determine the Why! Why someone is willing to change something about their health. Determine the validity of the desire to change as it relates to compliance (for an actual health problem, Dr. says, for someone else, to fit in, etc.). If an individual can get to the Why, the steps in getting there and the goals made along the way will follow and take care of themselves.
• Set the bar high - higher than you think you can go! Low expectations, gives minimal results.
• Find out what the person loves or at least likes to do - (Zumba, running, yoga, bodyweight training, dance, etc.). Compliance is paramount and will not be achieved if the Wellness Coach forces or makes the person do something they are not willing to do.
• Insist on results based coaching - outcomes that can only be measured and tracked. It is nice to say something is better than nothing, but, anything worth achieving is worth working hard for.
• Take into consideration the emotional state or psychology of the individual. Determine what stage in the process the individual is at (contemplation, information gathering, action, etc.). Get an accurate picture of the individuals' environment, support system, and barriers to overcome.
• Best practice is a group or team challenge or "boot camp" training with a partner (support and motivation from others). If you attempt to do it on your own, accountability most often does not exist. By nature, most humans are stronger in numbers or at least feel stronger. When the individual is overwhelmed and there is not a support system, they will most often quit. With a support system in place, even when overwhelmed, the group or team can regroup, reevaluate and make adjustments and move ahead. Fight again another day.
• At the corporate level, buy in from leaders is crucial. Demand the support of an entire organization, no one can be made to adhere, but don't enable anyone by purchasing inappropriate food choices or non-healthy activities. Do not provide inappropriate food choices at the work place. If someone chooses to eat or do a certain way, then allow them to do that on their own time and dollar.
• Never try to convince, coerce or persuade anyone that what you have to offer is valuable. Until someone is capable of accepting that change should happen (the Why) and be willing to accept the help the Wellness coach provides, nothing will ever change.
• Always, Always have passion beyond anything else and accept the fact that not one Wellness coach knows everything about health, wellness and fitness. But have resources available to answer those questions.
• Always attempt to be attuned with current trends (diets, equipment, fads, etc.) as what is current is what most people want to know about. Most do not want to know about what was hot 50 years ago or even last year.
• Lifestyle changes are key - do not villianize or victimize a food or activity. Promote moderation and small steps to get them to the Why!
• Provide alternatives to everything - there is not a one size fits all when it comes to health and wellness. No cookie cutter approach will work for each individual. Tailor the programs to the needs of that individual.
• Dare I say - "Lead by example"! The Wellness coach should at least adhere to a healthy lifestyle and be sincere of their intent to help others. If the Wellness coach does not walk the walk, will the individual allow us to talk the talk?
• Be available by email, text, telephone to "help" when the person needs that help. Or utilize the next items as a backup for continuous communication.
• Utilize Facebook, Twitter, etc. as a daily resource with motivation, check in, accountability. Create a community of like-minded people for support and foster the environment of being positive.
• Make it fun, make it interesting, make it easy to stick with it and have fun in doing what you do.
This is an organic document that will change and grow as I advance within the pursuit of my passion. This is my declaration with my beliefs and desires for myself as a Wellness professional.
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