Welcome, I'm Glad You Stopped By!
What is Health Coaching?
The verdict is in, folks! It's no longer a question of whether food and lifestyle directly impact our health and well-being. So why are we sicker than ever? And why on earth are people dying from preventable diseases and suffering from chronic health conditions that can be reversed or even cured, through simple changes in diet and lifestyle?
Because it’s not that simple. Just mosey on down the aisles at your favorite supermarket, and you’ll throw your hands up in frustration from all of the choices, with their nutritional claims and dizzying marketing messages. Everyday the media report on studies with findings that directly contradict each other: is coffee good or bad? How about dairy? Grains? To GMO or not to GMO? Is gluten-free better than gluten-full? You get the picture…
Whether you’re seeking guidance on weight loss, family nutrition, disease prevention, or what the heck is causing your skin rashes, bloating, and constipation, health coaches help you to uncover the behaviors and obstacles that are preventing you from experiencing the full, happy, and healthy life that you so desire.
We educate you about healthy eating and lifestyle choices, we work together to establish your personal goals, and help you every step of the way to take your good intentions and put them into practice.
Working with Alex was the best thing I could've done for my health. She helped me make small changes to my diet that made a huge impact on my health. She showed me really basic stuff that I was doing on a daily basis, that when tweaked, made all the difference. I feel great, and have tons more energy, my allergies and GERD are barely noticeable, and I feel like I can safely be around pizza and bagels, and not lose my mind!
"Bradford"
Your Health Coaching
Questions Answered
FAQ
When would I need a health coach?
We all have a sense of what we should be doing to be healthier, and yet we have a hard time finding the motivation. We make excuses, like lack of time or money, and we hide behind often deep-seated issues to justify remaining in our current state of dissatisfaction. Health coaches can help you to get "un-stuck" and to develop small and manageable steps to accomplish your goals. We work with you to understand your needs and preferences, and help to decode all of the information out there on diet and lifestyle so it's relevant to you and your needs. And we guide and encourage you, while keeping you accountable, every step of the way.
Will my health insurance cover health coach services?
Within the current reimbursement framework, health coaching is not specifically covered. However, there could be opportunities to utilize health coaches through your employer, whereby you receive incentives toward your health savings account or gym membership, for example, when completing a certain number of coaching sessions. In addition, some holistic or integrative physicians may have health coaches on staff, who are part of the overall patient care plan. And there's hope! We have people in D.C. working hard to get the recognition health coaches have earned, in our crusade to reduce preventable, chronic illness and thus healthcare costs.
What's the difference between health coaches, nutritionists, & other wellness practitioners?
A health coach is a supportive mentor and wellness authority who works with clients to help them feel their best through food and lifestyle changes. Instead of prescribing a specific diet or workout regimen, health coaches tailor individualized wellness programs to meet their clients' needs. We do not tell you what to do; rather, we look at the whole picture of your life, your goals, and your unique challenges, and we work together to create a plan that is guaranteed to succeed. It is also important to note that all of your wellness practitioners should work together. Particularly if you are taking medications whose efficacy may shift with changes in diet and lifestyle, your health coach will make sure to communicate with your primary physician, and encourage you to stay up to date with tests and other measures to ensure your safety throughout your health transformation.
What kind of training/credentials do you bring to your clients?
I’ve had the opportunity to learn from top wellness experts like Deepak Chopra, David Katz, Michael Greger, Joel Fuhrman, Susan Blum and many others, through my certification program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). I’ve learned innovative coaching methods, practical lifestyle management techniques, and over 100 dietary approaches, from Ayurveda, gluten-free, Paleo, and raw, to vegan, macrobiotic, and everything in between. My IIN training combined with over 13 years’ experience in the corporate world of business development, plus academic background in writing and communication provides me with a unique perspective as a health coach.