Being a Health coach wasn’t something that I imagined for myself. I would say it was something that found me through the researching of foods to manage or cure minor health aliments I experienced.
Through my research I enjoyed learning about how food contributes to our optimal health and wanted to share my knowledge with others, but I soon realised this wasn’t easy. People can be very uncomfortable with change, even if it is as small as telling someone to swap their chocolate bar for an apple. See below for more handy tips on dietary swaps.
So I maximised opportunities that presented themselves to me to kick start my journey. I started by supporting a work colleague who was struggling to lose weight despite going to the gym twice a week. It was an adjustment to lifestyle for her, but with commitment and coaching she lost 3 stones in 10 months.
I then went on to support a family member in reducing their blood sugar. My goal here was not just about providing guidance but using words that were easy to understand and food suggestions that were simple enough for them to commit to. While they struggled in the beginning they decreased their sugar levels within 3 months.
For me, both examples aren’t just about motivating or supporting the individuals. It’s about how I can reach out and share my knowledge with others. In particular women who want to incorporate a healthier lifestyle or address minor health aliments.
So I went one step further using a network of family and friends. I started to write monthly blogs on various nutritional subjects such as how to have a healthy digestive system or understanding oestrogen dominance and sent them on, not knowing if anyone would read them but just knowing I found another way to share my knowledge and educate others was good enough for me.
Handy tips on introducing a healthy lifestyle
- Breakfast – If your breakfast consists of a croissant or a slice of toast with jam replace these items with slow releasing carbs such as porridge oats or overnight oats. Slow releasing carbs are a good start to the day as they keep you fuller for longer, keeping your sugar levels stable as you get on with your morning and leaving you less likely to have any unnecessary cravings.
- Vegetables – Incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Instead of eating a sandwich at lunch time prepare your lunch the night before. This can be as simple as a chicken or prawn stir fry or cauliflower rice with green peas and broad beans.
- Dinner – Reduce the amount of starchy carbs eaten at dinner time. You want no more than one spoonful on your plate with the remainder of your plate including vegetables and protein. We move less later in the evening so don’t need so much energy or calories.
- Natural Sugar – Replace sugary snacks with natural sugars such as fruit.
- Baby steps – Make small changes to your eating patterns. Remember you’re just swapping unhealthy foods for healthier options. One month your goal might be to eat a healthier breakfast, next month you eat a healthier lunch and the following month you start to eat less carbs and more vegetables at dinner. At the end of 3 months you’ve changed your eating patterns incorporating more nutritional foods into your diet, which is easier to commit to long term.
