My advice isn't worth anything!

I started my weight-loss “journey” on Jan. 5, 2004. I reached my weight goal, learned new activities, led Weight Watchers meetings and became a Certified Personal Trainer. I reached a point where I had learned and changed so much. People asked for my advice a lot. And, I gave it to them. It even prompted me to write a book a few years back. I have written a whole entire book. Done. But, it’s full of MY advice. What worked for ME. Not what works for you or motivates you to change. It will likely remain unread on my flash drive forever. 

I finally realized that my advice wasn’t going to get anybody anywhere. There are zillions of people out there who’ve lost weight successfully and know about nutrition, health, workouts, etc. You can read any book you want about other people’s advice on these topics. But, it won’t necessarily work for you. I love this article because it explains why not everyone is an expert. For example, "I don't think someone who has been a passenger on a plane is automatically a credible source about how to fly one. I don't think anyone who has driven over a suspension bridge necessarily knows how best to build one. I don't think someone treated once by a neurosurgeon gets to offer expert commentary on the nuances of brain surgery."

This is why I decided to get into coaching. I love coaching because the focus is on YOU. I’m not the expert on you. I get to be a part of helping people create their own goals and succeed at them because they are making the rules. Not me. This change of perspective has been wonderful beyond words. Coaching isn’t a “thing” you do or buy or a pill you take – it’s an experience.

Do you know how a coach can help you? This is a great description from the Mayo Clinic where I was certified as a Wellness Coach: "Wellness coaches are experts in establishing relationships and practicing core coaching skills that assist the individual in identifying values and desires, transforming them into action, and maintaining lasting change over time. They partner in dynamic collaboration with individuals, respecting the client as the expert in his/her own life, using a strength-based focus and strong grounding in best practice." - Mayo Clinic   

I also enjoy this story from Dr. Michael Arloski that describes the relationship between a coach and a client: 

Mountain guides do not climb mountains for people. Nothing is accomplished, really if you hire me as your mountain guide and pay me merely to plant your flag on the summit while you sip martinis and observe me through a telescope down at the lodge.

As your guide, I help you plan the climb. We assess your readiness for the climb, examine what you have and what you need in equipment and resources. Together we determine a route to take. We plan how long the journey will take and allow for elements we can’t control, be it the weather or a family crisis. We examine what your personal goals are. Are you a peak-bagger, or more into the sheer experience of the high country? We get clear on what a successful and fulfilling climb will be for you.

Mountain guides do not make people climb mountains. The motivation for the climb has to be within the climber. During times of discouragement I may lend support, or even challenge you to reach a little deeper for strength I know you have. I also know that your chances of success are far greater if your motivation is internal. You WANT to climb this mountain! You are excited about it, and you anticipate that the journey will in itself be a large part of the pleasure of the experience. It works best when it is not fear-based motivation. You are not climbing the mountain because you are afraid what will happen if you don’t!

Most importantly, your chances of success are far greater just because you aren’t doing it alone. Knowing that I am there with you on the journey shifts your entire mental approach. You push through the temptation to turn back prematurely (as you may have done so often in the past) as you look over at me climbing beside you. You know I will hold you accountable to yourself to do what you said you have come to do. You also know that you retain your freedom, and if you choose to turn back you will not be criticized for it. When we do summit, it is your flag that is planted, not mine, for this was your journey. It was you and the mountain. Your coach was like a good solid rope – a support.  Wellness Coaching for Lasting Lifestyle Change – Michael Arloski, PhD, PCC

Is coaching for you? It may or may not be. 6 Signs You Need A Coach If you want to find out, feel free to reach out to me.

January 5 - A Day of Reflection....plus my 2015 Vision Board!

January 5 is always a day of reflection for me. And, a day of pride. On January 5, 2004, I took my OFFICIAL “before” picture – or “good-bye” picture, as I like to call it. It wasn’t the first time I’d done it. I’d done it at least the five years before that – if not more. However, this is the year that it stuck. It’s the year I really changed.

I eventually reached my weight goal in June 2006. I know that 2.5 years sounds like a long time to get to my goal. But, looking back now, I realized that’s the way it was supposed to be. In the years prior, I was in such a rush that I created an all-or-nothing mentality. I wanted to lose weight quickly and just be DONE!

But, now I know that I’m never going to be done. I took incredibly small baby steps to get to my weight goal. I slipped up. I gained weight. I lost it again. And, I still do that. I always have a short list of big goals I want to accomplish. But, my to-do list is full of ever-changing baby steps to get me there.

My “big” goals for 2014 were to complete my Wellness Coaching Certification at the Mayo Clinic (check!) and to get acclimated with my new environment since I’d just moved (check!). I also wanted to continue working on my hobbies of weight lifting, piano playing and writing (check, check, check!).

This year, my goals are to move forward with creating a fabulous Wellness Coaching practice of my own. I’d also like to get into a little better shape by improving what I eat, increasing my water intake and getting more sleep. (Part of acclimating to my new environment involved many tasty neighborhood restaurants available within walking distance!) I’m going to keep focusing on my hobbies and do some road races. I’d also like to do a bit of traveling and travel planning for the future. Let the baby steps begin!

Happy New Year!

I did it! I'm a Certified Wellness Coach!

I really had no idea what to expect when I applied to the Mayo Clinic graduate school for their Wellness Coaching certification course. It was late in 2012 and I had just completed my Personal Trainer certification. I knew I wanted something more - skills that would help me motivate people instead of just handing them a plan. When I read about the extensive curriculum the Mayo offered for certification, I was convinced it was right for me. I applied immediately - and three months later I was accepted into their July 2014 course. WHAT?! I learned that they only accept 120 students per year. Hence, the lengthy waiting list. 

Perseverance and pestering will get you everywhere. I begged Mayo to give me a spot earlier if it became available and I stayed on them about it. (Tammy in Admissions - you are wonderful!!) I was offered a spot for the second quarter course beginning in April 2014 and I snapped it up!

I anticipated what the class would be like since most of it would be conducted online. I went to college in the mid-90s, so this way of teaching was completely foreign to me. My first assignment was a simple introduction post in Blackboard about my background and why I wanted to take this course. One of the things I wrote was, " I want to get to the core of why people behave they way they do and teach them how they truly can change to be well." 

But, I had it all wrong. I wrote the word "teach". The most valuable thing I learned from this course is that I'm not going to teach anybody anything. Coaching isn't teaching. Coaching is listening. Coaching is support. Coaching is empathy. Coaching is encouragement. 

Coaching isn't therapy, coaching isn't imposing judgment and coaching isn't teaching. Teaching is providing answers. But, you already have the answers. You are the expert on you. I can't teach you about you. But, I've spent hours upon hours to get here. To the place where I can work with you to become the "you" you want to be. The best you.

I can't even begin to say enough good things about my experience at Mayo Clinic. My third week of class took place on-site at Mayo Clinic. They are days I will never forget! I was in a room of 14 like-minded people with fascinating experiences and stories to share. I was exhilarated, yet exhausted, from the precious time I spent learning from Mayo Clinic doctors and Wellness Coaches who had been practicing and improving coaching methods for years. I was able to participate in a peer coaching group with classmates for several weeks, so I could gain as much knowledge and practice as possible. This was when I realized I could be really good at coaching. This is for me!

People ask me:

• What does Wellness Coaching mean?
• Are you going to provide me with weight loss and dieting advice like recipes and meal plans?
• Am I going to have to get on a scale in front of you?
• Are you going to set strict goals for me?
• Are you going to be upset or make me feel guilty when I don't do what you say?

Now, it's my goal to change the perception of coaching and help others understand what I can do to help. And, why the course content I learned at the Mayo Clinic is so incredibly valuable. I've been practicing with class peers and volunteer clients and I'm so excited about the results people are experiencing. 

I won't make you get on a scale in front of me, or set your goals for you or give you unsolicited advice and pamphlets. I definitely won't judge you for your actions or make you feel guilty.  

In fact, I decided to see a Wellness Coach myself during my learning process - one that was not affiliated with the Mayo Clinic. I wanted to see how she practiced compared to what I was learning. This is when I realized how right the Mayo got this curriculum. I saw my "coach" (incognito, of course) about four or five times. She usually did most of the talking instead of listening. I always left with a stack of pamphlets - some of which I told her were on subjects that weren't a concern of mine. She didn't hear me at all. She didn't dig deep or spend the time to find what motivated me. She didn't personalize our appointments. She just gave me blanket advice - pretty much information I could Google.

So, that's how I knew I could make a difference. It's my mission to help people become their best selves and maintain lasting change over time. I partner with people on what their goals are - not mine. It can be anything you want to change - eating habits, physical fitness, stress management. With what I’ve learned and practiced over the last several months:

• I’m able to help people see themselves more clearly.
• I can identify gaps between where someone is and where they want to be.
• I’ve built a structure, I have useful tools and I can provide support in a safe environment necessary to help people sustain their commitment over time.
• I will ask for more change, more intentional thought and more action than you will ask of yourself. But, this is done according to the client’s agenda.

Thank you for following along with me in 2014 and have a fabulous holiday season! I'm looking forward to sharing a broader scope of Mind Over Mayo in 2015!