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Evolve

Wellbeing

Marginal gains or marginal pains?

Your daily habits will either make or break you. You change for the worse or you change for the better with every decision you make—simple as that.

The rules of good health won’t ever change, but our modern, on-the-go, yet sedentary lifestyles have divorced us from our basic biological requirements—quality sleep, functional movements, whole foods in their most natural form, adequate rest and relaxation, and time spent in nature and/or with people who uplift us. We’re tribal animals that thrive when learning and growing in a community. But social isolation and chronic diseases have never been more prevalent, despite all the potions, pills, gyms, doctors and potential ways to connect with other humans.

I’ve been a health coach for around two years. I’ve loved the learning process and the transformation within myself. I’ve become a happier, healthier and stronger human, and I’m now in a more revitalised position to help others do the same.

I’ve significantly grown my self-awareness with everyday decision making. This has had a cumulative effect in upgrading my health physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and environmentally. We’re a funny bunch, us humans. We’re all creatures of habit. These habits are hard to break, so that’s why having a health coach can be a short cut to better health.

Bowl of healthy food.
Photo by Anna Pelzer on Unsplash

Our brain uses about 20% of our daily energy—quite a lot for a small thing in our heads—so we’re designed to save energy any which way we can. That’s why when we’ve learnt to do something, we store that away in the subconscious mind. We then do things without thinking—a natural action. It’s like learning anything—from playing the piano; to learning to drive; to not cooking and ordering a Deliveroo. By doing it naturally, you save energy. 

We get good at what we practice. Whether that is beneficial to health, or detrimental to health, it matters not; your brain and body get used to things you do on a daily basis. Those little actions add up over time. Marginal gains or marginal pains. Which bucket are you filling up?

We live in a very convenient and comfortable culture. We’re all products of our environment. But those same convenient and comfortable choices add up over time. Now we’re seeing the results: type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, gum disease, dementia, and all those other states of dis-ease. These are chronic conditions that we’re ultimately choosing. But, given the right conditions, the body and mind can thrive. The question is: what are you willing to do to give your mind and body those simple conditions to heal and thrive?

If you’ve not got time for making healthy decisions now, you’ll be making time for illness sooner or later.

Woman jogging along the seafront.
Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash

So why have a health coach on your team? Well it’s not a lack of knowledge that is the problem, as we’ve never had more access to information. You can google right now for tips on how to eat right, sleep right, move right and de-stress. But our population has never been more physically or mentally sick! Lack of gyms or hospitals aren’t the problem (as we’ve never had so many of these!) We’re simply a result of our unhealthy habits. We’re also a product of our beliefs (and more so, of the limiting beliefs about what we can and what we cannot change). 

These 3 elements of health coaching are vital in changing your path from one of ill-health, to one of vibrancy:

  • Empathy: Don’t judge anyone for anything. All of us are designed differently, with unique beliefs about the world and of ourselves. And each person’s path to a better state of health will be different. 
  • Support: A process of change isn’t straightforward. Change is unfamiliar, challenging and uncomfortable, yet change is constant. A coach will give you the assistance you require to keep on your new, healthier path.
  • Accountability: If you’re reporting back to somebody, you’re more likely to follow through with a particular action. Left to our own devices, it’s all too easy to press that order button for pizza delivery, instead of cooking at home. 
Dramatic shot of man standing on the shore at sunset.
Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Make no mistake: our environment is perfectly designed for us to get sick—but it’s a slow and subtle journey, and so there is no blame on individuals from me.  

If you’re not where you want to be now, in terms of energy, positivity, body shape, mental clarity and all the other things that make a huge difference, I can support, educate and motivate you to find simple ways to better health. Break through resistance and overcome self-sabotage. Whether you are battling with a major health issue, lots of little issues or simply have a few pounds to lose, us health coaches will see you as a whole person and work with you to create a personalised, step-by-step approach to helping you become an expert in your own health. 

Ultimately it comes down to self-care. One of my key messages is that it is not selfish to look after yourself—it’s the exact opposite.  If you improve your health, you become a better version of yourself, and that has a ripple effect in all areas of life—at home, at work and within your community. Fill your own cup up first, everyone wins. And if your cup isn’t that full right now, maybe it’s time to call on a life coach.

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