17 Sep 5 Ways I’ve Benefited From Having a Coach – Dr. Happy
by Dr. Happy (follow on Twitter via @drhappy)
About 12 months ago I'm not afraid to admit that quite simply, I got sick of being sick and tired. I should say, I wasn't too bad – I ate relatively well, walked a lot, meditated occasionally and generally lived what I thought was a pretty good life with respect to health and wellbeing. I was also continuing to achieve quite a bit and to be relatively successful professionally.
But that being said, I was often tired and didn't have the energy I wanted to have to engage in activities I wanted to engage in. Most days when I returned home I was spent, and that meant I wasn't able to enjoy my family and children nearly near as much as I would have liked. On the weekends I often needed to "rest and recover" which again meant not being able to participate in social and recreational activities as fully as I would have liked. I did everything and went to everything, but it often seemed like an effort and I'm sure I wasn't enjoying things as much, and nor was I as enjoyable to have around, as I would have liked.
In addition, I wasn't sleeping that well and I frequently experienced back and neck pain, mostly from spending too much time sitting in front of a computer!
Now the sad reality is that this had gone on for years and I'd not done anything about it because, as noted above, I wasn't really "that bad". Also, I "normalised" the aforementioned symptoms because pretty much everyone I knew experienced the same ones (and in fact, many people were much worse).
But the point came when I thought, well, just because many other people are suffering doesn't mean I have to suffer too. Back and neck pain, tiredness and accompanying irritability, annual colds and tummy disturbances need not be "the norm".
So I made a decision to do something about it!
Firstly, I made some significant changes to my diet – but this might be the topic of a separate posting.
Secondly, I joined the local gym. Now I've never really enjoyed gyms but I knew I needed to do something and although as I've noted I walked a lot, it had been years since I'd exercised, in a gym, with any real intensity.
And more than just joining, I committed to trialing a personal trainer knowing that if I was going to get fitter and stronger I'd want to do it properly.
About 9 months later I can happily say I'm fitter and stronger than I've EVER been in my life! I sleep better and I can now keep up with my energetic son as well as enjoy my family time more than I have for a long time. I have more energy, I focus and attend much better when I'm working so an added bonus has been that I'm more productive. And although I'm proud to say that all of this has come about through my own diligent and disciplined efforts I'm also more than happy to attribute much of my success to my personal trainer, my "coach".
And this has reinforced my belief in the benefits that we, here at The Happiness Institute, can offer via coaching. I've always known that we can help because I see (and hear from my colleagues) the results each and every day but being on the "other side" has given me an even greater appreciation of the beneifts of having a coach which in short, I thought I'd summarise here today.
So here are the top 5 things I've gained from having a coach:
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I've learned A LOT about strength and conditioning training. Although I knew some I was never an expert. He is and expert, and understanding even some of what he knows has been very helpful
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He holds me accountable – although I go to the gym 5-6 times each and every week I know that at least 2 times I HAVE TO GO because I've booked in an appointment with him
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He pushes me beyond what I'd do on my own. Safely. And in a controlled way. But my sessions with my trainer achieve much more than I ever do on my own
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He provides variety – changing our routines and workout styles every 4-6 weeks keeps it interesting and benefits my body because it's well known that doing the same thing over and over again leads to reduced benefits
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And finally, it's enjoyable. I like him and I think he likes me! I work pretty, bloody hard but we chat during and in between the sets which makes the time fly by and much more enjoyable
The psychological coaching we offer here at The Happiness Institute (including the therapy offered via Dr. Timothy Sharp & Associates) can provide all these benefits also. We can help you learn; hold you accountable to yourself; gently push you and make much of the process fun. There's no doubt that many people can achieve goals and function well on their own but with one of our coaches we're confident you'll progress further and faster and learn things about yourself you never knew!
I'm so proud of and pleased with what I've achieved WITH my coach; I feel better than I've felt for a long, long time. And I'd like to help you enjoy the benefits I've enjoyed too. So get in touch (HERE) and find out what we can offer. You have very little, or nothing to lose and so, so much to gain!