Don't Let Your Health Take A Back Seat:
A Health Coach Can Help!

Over the last 28 plus years one common question I am asked is "How do I Find a Great Health Coach?" 

That's a very good question and at first it may sound easy to answer but there are a number of considerations to look into and I have put the answers into a 4 Step Process.

But First . . .

Have you reached a stage in your life when you are thinking you need to start improving or preserving your health?

Nowadays, it's easier to lead a healthy lifestyle than ever before, for the following simple reasons:

So Why Are So Many Of Us Still Not Taking Note?

The main reason is our busy, hectic lifestyles.

It's much easier to look things up quickly on the internet to find out what's wrong, but that can take you down an never ending rabbit hole.

It's much easier to grab a burger or a cheese and ham sandwich or a chocolate bar...and who's in the mood for cooking after a long, hard day at work?

And as for going to the gym, pounding away on a treadmill in our precious spare time can be sooo boring!

One patient thought her symptoms were that of Multiple Sclerosis, because of her rabbit hole experience with Dr Google.

She had frequent pins and needles through her right leg and arm.

All medical tests were negative.

After spending many weeks in anguish over what she thought was happening to her, within one week of seeing me her symptoms were gone because of getting to the root cause of her concerns.

. . . and for anyone who has been through this, I can certainly feel for you.

The overwhelm and confusion can paralyse a person.

I also personally remember when I first started my health journey.

I wanted to improve my digestive system and back 35 years ago (oopps that is a long time ago, but don't tell anyone) all I had for research was books and journals.

No internet.

I would read one article on improving gut function and would get inspired thinking that was the best way to move forward only to be confused because the next day I read in another article how the research was flawed within the first article and I should take this advise which was in total contradiction to the first article.

This was constant when looking into health through the eyes of western medicine.

Then I started researching Natural medicine and the confusion stopped.

The confusion and contradiction with Dr Google these days on Natural Health is even more baffling because they say the first couple of pages of Google are filled with marketers.

Marketers of Natural medicine but not Practitioners and this is a huge distinction to understand.

. . . and once I went to a Holistic Health Coach and they were few and far between back then, the confusion stopped.

How a Health Coach Can Help

Some of us need a little push as far as improving our health is concerned, so a health coach may be just who you need to mentor and motivate you.

A health coach is a medical professional and supportive mentor, qualified in educating and motivating people to develop their inner wisdom, identify their values and make positive and sustainable health choices.

The most IMPORTANT part of choosing a mentor is identifying a person whose VALUES align with yours.

There are a lot of great people who are doing incredible things, but it’s very difficult to learn from somebody if their values don’t align with your values.

That is my #1 tip for identifying who you want to be your mentor.

A mentor who is aligned with your values will support you as you work towards achieving your goals through making lifestyle adjustments. [1]

During 2004 to 2008 when I went around Australia and New Zealand teaching the Wellness Industry including Medical Doctors, Naturopaths, Dentists, Chiropractors, Nutritionist to name a few, one of my key values that I urged other Practitioners to take note of was the concept of having a Mentor themselves.

For example how could they expect to Mentor their patients if they haven't a mentor.

It's in-congruent with their message.

At present I have a Health Coach, Golf coach, Business coach and a Personal trainer helping me achieve what I want in life.

That's being congruent.

Your health coach will help you to set your health goals, put you on the right track to better health and make sure you stay on it.

A Holistic Health Coach

Anther important concept is a holistic health coach will only give you supplements if testing reveals you need them.

Many patients walk in with a number of vitamin pills that they read somewhere about how great they are but when we test for them their levels are fine. One lady who was taking Vitamin D and hasn't had her Vitamin D levels tested was shocked when we did her Vitamin D test to find out she well over the reference range.

A holistic health coach will also do the minimal amount that is needed and will talk to you about what you can or cannot do, both emotionally and or financially.

I remember a gentleman came to see me 20 years ago and even another recently who said, "Wayne I can afford anything you want to give me but I cannot take anymore than 3 pills or powders at one time. Give me any more that that and I go into overwhelm."

And another patient who said, Wayne I can take anything you give me but I can only afford one bottle of tablets to the value of $50 per month.

It's important for these discussions to occur, to be transparent and open so that your holistic health coach caters for your every need.

A holistic health coach will provide information, education and support to anyone seeking alternative forms of healing and treatment.

A holistic health coach doesn’t listen to fad science, but follows the wisdom of ancient medicine that has been around for thousands of years.

One example of fad science would be back in the late 1980’s, western medicine's research said we should eat less fats and avoid them altogether.

However when I researched what Ancient Medicine said about fats, the answer was a huge yes, they are needed daily.

I remember back in the early 90" and in early 2000 how difficult it was to get patients to eat fats.

This is why we have now epidemics of being overweight, obesity, diabetes, dementia and degenerative disease because without good fats this is the end result.

Good fats of course not hydrogenated vegetable oils and alike.

. . . and those who took my advice of eating good fats are today enjoying the benefits.

Now research agrees with ancient medicine . . . but it took them nearly 3 decades to admit they were wrong

… or did they admit it!

A holistic health coach knows that a person is not truly healthy unless all aspects of their life are in balance.

They will also let you understand the difference between a healing crisis or Herxheimer reaction and a side affect.

Firstly let’s look a side affect . . .

From the dictionary . . . side effect is a noun and is a secondary, typically undesirable effect of a drug or medical treatment. For example, "many anti-cancer drugs now in use have toxic side effects"

Now a Healing CRISIS or Herxheimer reaction or Herx.

Obtaining good health does not go up in a straight line; it goes up in a step-by-step process.

Initially improvements are noticed then health plateaus and then it takes a small dip seemingly backwards. However if you keep doing what is suggested and sometimes slowing down the Herx process health restores.

A Healing CRISIS or the Herxheimer Reaction is a short-term (usually lasting from days to a few weeks) detoxification reaction in the body.

As the body detoxifies, it is not uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms including headache, joint and muscle pain, body aches, sore throat, general malaise, sweating, chills, nausea or other symptoms.

All your symptoms seem to come back and or get worse.

This is a normal — and even healthy — reaction that indicates that parasites, fungus, viruses, bacteria or other pathogens are being effectively killed off.

The biggest problem with the a Healing CRISIS or the Herxheimer Reaction is that people stop taking the supplement or medication that is causing the reaction, and thus discontinue the very treatment that is helping to make them better.

Although the experience may not make you feel particularly good, the Herxheimer Reaction is actually a sign that healing is taking place.

A healing crisis is in effect when the body is in the process of elimination.

Old tissues are replaced with new.

A healing crisis occurs when toxins stored in the body are released at a faster rate than can be properly eliminated. The more toxic one's body is, the more severe the detoxification and the more intense the reaction.

Often the crisis will come after one feels their very best, setting the stage for the elimination.

In extreme cases of toxicity, you may actually feel quite ill.

However, rest assured that it is your body’s way of cleansing – getting rid of these toxins once and for all.

During this process, if you feel sick, chances are it is from toxins, bacteria and viruses that are being released into your body from your deeper fatty deposits.

Such symptoms may be mild or severe, depending on the body's original toxicity, but are only temporary. Reactions could include skin eruptions, nausea, headache, sleepiness, unusual fatigue, diarrhoea, head or chest cold, ear infections, boils, or any other way the body uses to loosen and eliminate toxins.

The crisis usually lasts three days -- but if the energy of the patient is low, it may last for a week or more.

Symptoms of a Healing Crisis can include:

· muscle cramps or pain

· arthritic flair ups

· diarrhoea

· extreme fatigue

· restlessness

· headaches

· insomnia

· sinus congestion

· fever

· skin eruptions

· strong emotions or mood swings

During a healing crisis, it is important that the cleansing program be continued. Continued cleansing will help the body rid itself of released toxins and diseases.

Following these simple steps may help to relieve some of the symptoms of the healing crisis.

· Drinking plenty of fresh water with lemon, this helps the body eliminate toxins.

· Avoid overeating, enjoy light easily digestible meals

· If fatigued, give the body rest

· Meditation can help to manage symptoms such as strong emotions and mood swings

· If symptoms are severe and you feel you need extra assistance, whether physically or emotionally, especially if any serious symptoms such as cardiac irregularity; breathing difficulties; chest, lung or throat constriction; significant swelling; or other severe symptoms should be given immediate medical attention.

These symptoms could be unrelated to treatment and could be caused by some other serious condition.

One of the biggest misconceptions people face with the healing crisis is the belief that they have caught some hideous infection or that a condition that they thought they were long rid of has once again returned.

However, with a healing crisis, these symptoms are a sign that your body is finally purging itself of the last remnants of the toxins or substances that created the disease or ailment in the first place.

So while you may not feel like celebrating, take comfort that a Healing Crisis is in fact a good thing.

When a Herx occurs I personably will be doing a little celebratory dance because of the positive significance of a Herx will have on you, but when they occur the biggest obstacle is what is sitting on your shoulder.

Commonly known as your saboteurs.

Those little voices that is the real cause of why you are ill.

Did you know from Ancient Medicine Wisdom there is only one cause to all disease?

More about that shortly.

Some of these little voices may say . . .

· My Symptoms are worse and I'm unsure if this is going to work for me

· I’m in overwhelm and I can’t do on

· Oh this is too expensive

· When will this end

· I’ve had enough

· I can’t take another vitamin, pill, herb or supplement

· I’m missing my junk food

· My friends think I’m crazy and it’s easier to go with the flow

· I’m worse and I will try someone else

And these are only some of them.

But I’m sure you get it. We all have them and it’s the very reason why 80% of people fail at anything they try. Health included.

Have you ever noticed when things go bad it happens in threes.

Maybe a fight with the neighbour, maybe an unforseen bill will come in and you are having a Herx. There’s that magical 3 number.

From here, if not astute all your energy will go to the external forces rather than on you.

And guess who is more important but guess where we will place all of our attention.

You guessed it on the two external events and you forget about what you are doing . . . getting your health back on track . . . but you forget who’s important.

Now the saboteur has won . . . those little voices have won once again and your health is put back once again.

A dreadful statistic but once you know what a healing crisis is and when they occur your saboteurs come out then it’s easy to deal with them and you will become one of the 20% who SUCCEDD.

The one’s who know this, will persevere and they will succeed.

A holistic health coach will therefore guide you through any Herx and help you live a healthy life in general, not just through nutrition and exercise, but in all areas of your life, including your relationships, your spirituality and your career. [2] [3]

He will therefore guide you and help you live a healthy life in general, not just through nutrition and exercise, but in all areas of your life, including your relationships, your spirituality and your career. [2] [3]

How To Choose A Health Coach

A Simple 4 Step Process . . .

Choosing the right health coach is fundamental to your success.

Here's a guide. Choose . . .

On an end note always gravitate to a holistic health coach who has empathy, compassion and over delivers on their services ..... helping you to achieve Ultimate Health.

Until next time,

Yours in Health

From the team at Unique Health and Wellness!

References:

1] journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2165079916645351

2] nupro.net/natural-health-coaching

3] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3833534

Disclaimer: The information provided does not take into account individual needs of any particular person. When providing this information it is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research. The information provided should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction and is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.