VUE

We all want to live healthier, happier lives. Whether that means losing weight, starting an exer- cise program, getting more sleep, or reducing stress, we strive every day to improve our health and to look and feel our best. For help, many people turn to the $10 billion self-improvement market, which is awash in quick fixes. Self-help books, fitness websites, and weight-loss apps all promise to help meet our goals. Unfortu- nately, most of us fail to stick with these programs, and any progress proves to be fleeting. So how can we get more for our mon- ey and efforts? Enter the Wellness Coach. Wellness coaches are trained profession- als who work closely with clients to help them initiate and sustain change. Coach- es use face-to-face meetings and a series of conversations to help clients identify goals, explore motivations, and consider potential obstacles. Together, the coach and client develop a personalized picture of success called a "wellness vision," along with a plan to achieve it. "We go below the surface and unearth any negative be- liefs or thoughts that could get in the way of success," says Nina Spiegel, wellness coach at the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine at Englewood Health. e work is actually fun, says Spiegel. "We're creat- ing a new possibility at any given age." Wellness Coaches: Partnering for Better Health BY CLAIRE ALTSCHULER V U E N J . C O M 146

• Cover