Holistic Lifestyle Coaching
What is a CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach (HLC)?
CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coaches are specialists in wellness, stress management and lifestyle coaching. They have completed one or more levels of the CHEK HLC program, including all the required prerequisites for that level. CHEK HLCs come from a highly varied background including fitness professionals, healthcare professionals, nutritionists, dieticians and so on. Due to this varied mix of professional backgrounds, the actual services offered by HLCs vary depending on the permitted scope of practice of their professional license, certifications, or degree.
What does a Holistic Lifestyle Coach do?
What a HLC does is based upon the techniques that have helped thousands of people increase vitality, decrease stress and sculpt the body of their dreams. A Holistic Lifestyle coach looks in detail at the underlying causes of disease and stress, considering the body as a “system of systems.” Using a coaching model, they will help you learn how disease and stress are preventable through healthy eating habits, lifestyle management and appropriate types of exercise. They will help you to understand why every meal, every bout of exercise and every late night has a hormonal consequence. They will use tools, such as in-depth questionnaires, to assess, which will allow them to determine your readiness for change. This program exceeds anything you will experience in any other “wellness program” … this is Optimal Health and Fitness Coaching the CHEK way!
A dictionary definition of lifestyle is ‘a way of life or style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group’. What we mean by ‘lifestyle’ today is very different to what we meant a generation or so ago.
Why is that? In the 1980′s lifestyle was associated with consumerism, affluence, indulgence and excess. Nowadays we’re likely to equate lifestyle with balance, health, wellbeing, personal development and living by our values. It’s as if the scales tipped too far in one direction, and now we’re trying to redress the balance.
What lifestyle coaching means to us at Natural Pathways is supporting you in finding and living the life you want to live in terms of your overall wellbeing. This includes your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual* health.
*Please note that spiritual does not equate to religion in this context; it is the intangible, essential aspect of each person.
Foundations of Health Principles
The principles I follow in my lifestyle coaching are those of the C.H.E.K Institute, which we studied as part of our certification as a Holistic Lifestyle Coach (Level 2).
When there is a breakdown in one or more of the six foundations of health – thinking, breathing, hydration, nutrition, exercise and sleep – your overall wellbeing will be affected.
For example, we often put a lot of importance on exercise, hydration and nutrition when it comes to a ‘healthy lifestyle’, but can underestimate or ignore the impact of disrupted sleep patterns and a depressed state of mind.
For our lifestyle to be optimal, it’s important that each of these areas are addressed.
Our Approach
We have a strong belief in making changes to your lifestyle that are realistic, achievable and long-lasting. Our approach is not one of abstinence, deprivation and rigour. Nor do we believe in quick-fix cures.
Some of the areas we are likely to look at are:
- Assessing your current lifestyle through holistic lifestyle questionnaires
- Your vision of your ‘optimal lifestyle’
- Understanding the impact of your thoughts and feelings on your well-being
- Learning to tune into what your body’s telling you
- Eating for well-being, without the fads
- Functional exercise programs
- Keeping your life in balance
Many approaches to lifestyle change work very well in the short-term, but the majority of people tend to go back to their old habits. This is often because there is too much focus on the symptoms and not the cause. We will work to uncover the barriers that get in the way of change, and we will work with you to develop the skills so you to overcome them.
Can HLC be combined with NRT?
Absolutely. In fact, when these two elements are combined, we are able to provide you with a complete Holistic experience.