5 Coaching Tips for Improved Health & Fitness

Coaching is an effective way to improve your health and fitness. Here are five tips on how to coach yourself to effectively improve your health and fitness.

Have a vision for your future self

One of the first things you should do when trying to change is to have a destination. You need to make sure that you are clear on what you want to achieve and why. If you don’t know where you are going, how will you ever know if you get there?

Short-term and longer-term goals can be helpful to maintain motivation and be able to measure progress, but having a vision for your future self, this is the person I want to be, means that you are more likely to stick with your new habits.

Be Consistent

Once you have set your goal, you need to be consistent with your efforts. This means that you need to stick to your plan most of the time. It also means that you need to want to continue doing it even after achieving your goal.

For example, you have always wanted to run regularly so you sign up for a 5 KM. Then you force yourself to run every day. Once the event is complete you stop running wondering why you can never stick with it.

Or you decide you want to start running, so you get a training plan that works with your life right now. Then once you are running regularly you decide that entering an event might be a fun way to celebrate! In the first example, the goal was running the 5 KM, in the second example, the goal was to run regularly.

Consistency is the key to long-term success.

Consistency adds up and if you track your workouts, or your weight, or your meals or whatever it is you are changing the little steps add up. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard, “I wish I knew how much I have changed.” Clients are often hesitant to measure anything at the start of their progress believing the challenge is too big, then as they progress they regret not knowing how far they have come. Measuring something makes it more likely that you will make progress and progress is motivating.

Consistency is also a great way to overcome the detours along the way. Everyone goes on vacation, gets injured, overindulges on the holidays, or is challenged by unexpected events. When you are consistent it is easier to get back to your new habits. The obstacles become speed bumps, not roadblocks.

Being consistent means that the small steps add up to a big difference. Measure what matters to you and be consistent.

Don’t Overdo it

Don’t change everything all at once. If you try to push yourself too hard, you will end up quitting and feeling bad about yourself. Instead, start slowly and build up gradually. Start with the easiest thing to change and then build on your good habits.

It can feel appealing to change everything, but this never lasts. Small steps in the right direction add up to your future well-being and last longer than trying a complete renovation.

Find a Coach Who Can Help You Achieve Success

A good coach will help you set goals and provide motivation. They will also encourage you to stick with your plan when things get tough. Having a support team, an accountability partner, and a professional that can guide your progress saves time and frustration.

What should you look for in a coach?

I see a lot of people getting health and fitness advice that doesn’t suit their needs or worse, is dangerous. These are three of the questions I would recommend before you hire a coach.

• Are they qualified through a respected organization?
• Do they ask what you want to achieve and focus on your goals?
• Do they listen and give appropriate feedback?

This is where I would start. There are lots of people who say they are a “coach” with no understanding of how to help you be healthier. Don’t waste your time, get good advice.

If you are hiring a trainer, the same advice applies.

7 Ways to Choose the Right Personal Trainer for You.

Have Fun!

If you’re serious about improving your health and your fitness, then you need to make sure that you enjoy what you do. You should never feel guilty about taking time out to exercise. Or eating a treat. It’s not just about getting fit and eating well, it’s also about having fun while doing so. And if it isn’t fun, why bother?

Change your mind, change your health,

Shayla

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