Over the last several years, the term “Health Coach” has become increasingly visible as more people—and healthcare professionals—recognize the value health coaching can bring to an individual’s overall health and well-being.

But what exactly does a Health Coach do?

I’ve realized that many people may not fully understand what health coaching is, how it differs from other health professions, or how a coach can help someone make meaningful, lasting changes.

My goal with this article is to explain what health coaching is, what it is not, and how a health coach can help you move toward your personal health goals.

There are many specialties within health coaching, including nutrition, weight management, stress, fitness, and women’s health. Many health coaches are also drawn to this profession because of their own health journeys and the changes they made to improve their lives.

And sometimes, the best way to understand health coaching is to hear from people who have experienced it.

First, What Health Coaching Is NOT

It is not a prescriptive meal plan or medical treatment.

A health coach does not diagnose nutritional deficiencies, prescribe therapeutic diets, or diagnose and treat medical conditions. Those services may fall within the scope of other qualified healthcare professionals, such as registered dietitians and medical providers.

A health coach can, however, help you work on lifestyle habits that support your healthcare provider’s recommendations, while staying within the coach’s scope of practice.

Your coach isn’t the expert on your life—you are.

One of the foundational principles of health coaching is that you are the expert on you.

Your coach may have knowledge, tools, resources, and experience to share, but you know your life, schedule, challenges, preferences, and what is realistic for you.

Rather than simply telling you what to do, a coach works collaboratively with you to discover what changes you are ready and willing to make.

There is no judgment—and no “perfect” pace.

Everyone’s health journey is different.

There is no one-size-fits-all timeline for making changes. A skilled coach meets you where you are and helps you determine what you are ready to work on.

The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is progress.

Health coaching isn’t therapy—and it isn’t a quick fix.

Health coaching and counseling can complement one another, but they have different purposes and scopes of practice. Health coaching generally focuses on the present and future—helping clients identify goals, overcome barriers, develop healthier habits, and take action.

And if you’re looking for someone to simply motivate you to lose a certain amount of weight quickly or give you a “magic” plan, health coaching may not be what you’re looking for.

Sustainable change takes time.

A coach can encourage, support, and hold you accountable, but ultimately you are the one who makes the changes.

And that’s where the power of health coaching comes in.

So, What IS Health Coaching?

At its heart, health coaching is a collaborative, client-centered process designed to help you make meaningful and sustainable changes to your health and lifestyle.

A health coach takes the time to get to know you—not just your weight, your food choices, or the number of steps you take.

What are your goals?

What matters most to you?

What has worked in the past?

What hasn’t worked?

What barriers are getting in your way?

What changes are you actually ready to make?

Together, you can create a plan that fits your life, rather than trying to fit your life into someone else’s plan.

It’s an art as well as a skill.

I often describe health coaching as an art.

A coach listens, asks thoughtful questions, recognizes patterns, and helps you uncover solutions that you may not have been able to see on your own.

Instead of giving you another list of things you “should” do, coaching can help you discover what will actually work for you.

It’s encouragement and accountability—with compassion.

Sometimes we know exactly what we should do, but knowing isn’t the problem.

Doing it consistently is.

I hear this all the time: “I know what to do, but I just don’t do it.”

This is where a coach can provide encouragement, accountability, and support without judgment. A coach can also help you recognize progress you may not see in yourself.

One of my clients described this beautifully:

“The thing I love about Lori’s program is that the changes she guides you through are subtle not dramatic. It is about baby steps – one step at a time so you do not get overwhelmed and quit before you start. The content is doable and the accountability factor is great.”

— Kim M.

That is exactly what I want my clients to experience.

You don’t have to change everything at once.

A coach helps you navigate real life.

Healthy living doesn’t happen in a perfect little bubble.

There are holidays, vacations, parties, stressful days, busy schedules, and seasons of life when taking care of yourself feels much harder.

A coach can help you develop strategies for navigating those situations while continuing to move toward your goals.

A coach can also help you turn your healthcare provider’s recommendations into realistic lifestyle habits. Knowing what you should do and knowing how to incorporate it into your everyday life are two very different things.

The goal is sustainable change.

Ultimately, health coaching isn’t about putting you on another short-term program.

It’s about developing habits and strategies that can become part of your lifestyle.

That takes time.

But when healthy choices begin to feel more natural and sustainable, that’s when real change can happen.

And sustainable change looks different for everyone.

For one person, it might mean getting control of nighttime cravings. For another, it might mean learning how to plan healthy meals for their family. For someone else, it might mean losing weight, having more energy, or feeling more confident in their own skin and in their ability to care for themselves.

What Does Health Coaching Look Like in Real Life?

This is where client stories can explain health coaching better than anything I could say.

One client shared:

“I feel like this whole experience has been a huge win for me. After a week of consciously avoiding extra sugar I felt my night time cravings go away (for the most part). I’ve had ice cream twice during this group and both times it made me feel sick. Must be my body saying, what are you doing! I also feel like my eating habits in general have improved – like a snowball effect. Thanks Lori!”

— Jenn M.

Jenn’s experience is a great example of how one intentional change can create a ripple effect.

The goal isn’t always to completely overhaul your life overnight. Sometimes, becoming aware of one habit and making a small change can lead to other positive changes.

Another client shared:

“I so appreciate you and all that you have done to empower me to take control of my eating habits! I’ve learned more in one month working with you than I have in the last 10 years… because with your guidance I have been able to lose 15 lbs just by changing a few things in my diet and planning ahead! What I learned from you has really helped me to navigate how to properly feed me and my family through healthy eating, and I so appreciate that, thank you for everything!”

— Liz P.

What stands out to me most about Liz’s story isn’t simply the 15-pound weight loss.

It’s that she learned something she could continue using.

She learned how to make better choices, plan ahead, and apply what she was learning to her family.

That’s the kind of change I want for my clients—knowledge and skills you can carry with you long after our sessions together.  We are working together to help you build a life that supports health. 

And sometimes the results go beyond what a client expected:

“I’ve lost 29lbs so far with working with you for 3 months. I have a lot more energy, my doctor is thrilled with my labs and I can fit into pants I haven’t been able to wear in 6 years! Thank you!”

— A. V.

Yes, the 29-pound weight loss is exciting.

But so are the increased energy, improved lab results, and being able to wear clothes that hadn’t fit in six years.

Health isn’t just a number on a scale.

It’s about how you feel, how you function, and how the changes you’re making impact your everyday life.

Why Consider Health Coaching?

Not everyone is ready to make lifestyle changes, and that’s okay.

But if you desire to improve your health, have more energy, improve certain health markers, feel better in your body, or simply feel good about taking better care of yourself, health coaching may be worth considering.

And health coaching doesn’t necessarily have to be an “either/or” decision.

Health coaching can complement your doctor’s recommendations.

Some people choose to work with a health coach while taking medications prescribed by their healthcare provider, including GLP-1 medications.

Working with your doctor, movement, sleep, stress management, and other lifestyle habits can be additional pieces of the picture.

A health coach can help you focus on the behaviors you have control over and develop sustainable habits that support your overall health goals.

Medication decisions—including whether to start, stop, or change a medication—should always be made with your healthcare provider.

Health Is About More Than Food

One of the biggest things I’ve learned from coaching many different people is that health is about so much more than what you eat or how much you exercise.

Sleep matters.
Stress matters.
How you manage stress matters.
Your thoughts, habits, environment, relationships, and daily routines matter.

This is why I enjoy taking a more holistic approach to health coaching.

I believe we are more than just a number on a scale or a list of health goals.

One client expressed this beautifully:

“Lori is an excellent health and wellness coach. There are several things I loved about the program, including the spiritual aspect, and the overarching theme of being kind to yourself.”

— EmEm W.

For those who desire it, I also incorporate a Christian, faith-based perspective into my coaching.

I believe that true wellness involves caring for the whole person—spirit, soul, and body.

Does Health Coaching Actually Work?

Research has shown promising results regarding the effectiveness of health coaching for improving health behaviors and outcomes.

A review published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, titled “Clinical Effectiveness of Lifestyle Health Coaching,” found evidence supporting lifestyle health coaching as an approach for modifying multiple risk factors in both healthy individuals and people with certain common chronic diseases.

Another resource from the National Library of Medicine describes health coaching as a patient-centered approach focused on motivation, positive action, goals, strengths, preferences, support, and accountability.

One statement from the research really captures what I believe health coaching is all about:

“Patients are viewed as the experts in how to enact lasting change and overcome barriers in their lives.”

That’s the heart of coaching.

You don’t need someone else to take control of your health. You need someone who can walk alongside you, help you uncover what is possible, and support and empower you as you learn to make changes for yourself.

Is Health Coaching Right for You?

If you’ve been thinking about working with a health coach but weren’t sure what to expect, I hope this article has helped clarify what health coaching is and how it may be able to support you.

Health coaching isn’t about perfection.

It isn’t about judgment.

And it isn’t about someone telling you everything you’re doing wrong.

It’s about having someone in your corner who can help you identify where you want to go, discover what’s standing in your way, and take realistic steps toward the healthier life you desire.

As I’ve seen through the experiences of my clients, sometimes the biggest changes begin with something very simple:

One decision.
One habit.
One step.
One day at a time.

I’ve had the privilege of helping more than 100 people work toward their health goals, and I would love the opportunity to learn more about yours.

If you’d like to explore whether health coaching might be a good fit for you, visit Seeds of Change Nutrition and reach out to me. We can set up a complimentary 15-minute conversation to talk about where you are, what you’re hoping to accomplish, and whether coaching is right for you.

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

In good health,

Lori