Why Would I Need A Health Coach, Given The Alternatives? 3 Common Questions I Get, Answered.
As we’re cruising through 2023, it’s truly astonishing how far our society has grown compared to the 1990s and early 2000s. Let’s not forget that the cassette tape was invented in 1963 and the VCR wasn’t popular until the mid 1970s. The rapid evolution of technology continues to grow at an exponential rate.
New apps and inventions make our lives easier; this also means removing the need for much physical effort and increasing access to almost any food. Anytime. Anywhere. America loves accessibility! While it’s undeniable how many benefits this brings, we’ve also seen a health conundrum develop in our country.
Enter: The Health Coach
As a health coach, my role is to offer a safe and confidential space to discuss clients’ health; we partner together to create a lasting behavior change plan, and I provide accountability and support; we modify this plan when needed. If you would like more detail, read my previous post on Health Coaching support here.
While health coaching has proven effective, and Harvard Health highlighted this study back in 2019, it requires effort and determination by clients who seek it out.
As we’ve established the growing trend in technology and “ease” at which simple tasks can be completed, I’ve had interesting conversations with friends, acquaintances, and clients regarding health coaching’s impact and seemingly easier solutions. Today, I’m breaking down 3 of the most common questions I receive:
Why Would I Need A Health Coach?
Isn’t Ozempic (Or A “Peptide Cocktail”) Going To Solve My Health Problems?
The idea that “quick fixes,” like Ozempic, will make Health Coaching a moot point is an understandable argument. Why would you want to put in the work to achieve something when there’s such an enticing solution?
Drugs like Ozempic (which have semaglutide) do indeed lead to weight loss because they increase feelings of “fullness,” which induce satiety. There are important notes about using this drug. They are:
About 48% of people taking semaglutide experience negative side effects like: nausea, vomitting, stomach distress, and indigestion.
Semaglutide works only as it is used. As soon as you stop taking the drug, your food cravings will return as normal.
What conclusion can we draw? Even if you don’t experience negative side effects, it’s vital to work with a health in conjunction to taking a semaglutide so that when you stop the medication, you possess the lifestyle changes necessary to experience continued success with your health goals.
I Heard Artificial Intelligence Will Tell Me What I Need… And That’s Free?
At the end of 2022, GPT entered the chat (no pun intended). This “ChatGPT” introduced us to an AI chatbot that possesses and can call on copious amounts of knowledge in seconds.
Conversations have risen regarding ChatGPT’s potential to take over as one’s health coach. These conversations revolve around the ability to develop a meal plan or workout plan in just seconds that meet your specific needs. Let’s look at important parameters regarding the use of ChatGPT:
ChatGPT is not able to show empathy: While its newest version can understand emotional context and respond to users’ emotions, this is at the most basic level. For example, the computer may understand you feeling angry by being fired for undue cause, but it cannot match the level of feeling overwhelmed by too many responsibilities, and choosing to sleep in over going to the gym.
ChatGPT is not truly personalized care. A health coach works with your specific needs and wants, and gets to know you as a partner in your health journey. While ChatGPT may be able to produce a “30 day Paleo-inspired meal plan for a vegan,” the relationship will not be a true face-to-face connection.
The National Library Of Medicine holds a study that reveals automated health coaching’s downfalls outweigh the benefits.
What conclusion can we draw? AI is useful in generating standard health plans, but It just can’t match the level of experience, empathy, or customization that health coaches offer.
Can’t I Just Call A Friend or Family Member?
“Let’s text each other when we workout to hold ourselves accountable.” I know I’ve tried the friend system. While it can work for a short period, it gets a bit dicey asking a friend to hold you accountable. What happens when you slip up? Lets explore:
Studies show that having an established relationship with someone makes it harder for them to hold you accountable. A coach is doing their hired job and therefore the boundaries and parameters are clearly defined in the coaching contract.
It can be hard to be honest with a close friend about a slip up, and we might take “being called out” as personal. This can lead to the dissolution of friendship. With a coach there is no risk to the relationship, but actually an expectation to be called out. Remember, you’ve hired them for this!
Friends are often like us! It can be hard to hold someone accountable to a behavior you struggle with as well. Whether you have a lot in common or not with your coach is not relevant. Your growth and goal aspirations are the focus of your health coaching sessions. Just like your therapist wouldn’t use your appointment time to discuss their needs, your coach would not use that time either. It’s about you.
What conclusion can we draw? Friends and Family members can be important contributors in your health journey by offering support and love, but they are not health coaches.
Overall, while there are benefits to each of the situations posed above, hiring a health coach helps you build knowledge, skills, and confidence when it comes to managing your health. Health coaches empower you to make the lifestyle changes needed to live your life at its fullest. Questions or interested in coaching? Contact me here.