Hi, My Name is Tara and I'm a Health Coach.

Hi, my name is Tara and I'm a Health Coach. I love being able to say that out loud as people cock their heads to the side and ask,"What exactly does a Health Coach do?" Well, now that I have the experience, I can give a little inside information as to what it is that I actually do to help others reach their health goals.

First, let me just say that I've written in previous blogs about my own experiences in losing weight and bettering myself, so I won't include that in this post. I want people to know that I have struggled and that it's not an easy road, but from what I've gone through I feel that it's a lot easier to help those who are going down the exact path I once wandered upon. That's the main reason I decided upon studying holistic health counseling, to inspire others to become what they've always dreamed of becoming because I know it's absolutely attainable.

I am not a nutritionist. I don't have a meal plan set aside for my clients. I don't tell them what NOT to eat, nor do I MAKE them do anything they don't want to do. I merely teach them about better food choices and make recommendations along the way. The sessions don't solely focus on food and exercise. I lend an ear for anything they may want to vent about or just openly discuss with me. We talk about relationships, family, financial issues, health concerns, and whatever else might pop up during the call. Being a good listener is very important as a Health Coach. I'm somewhat of a therapist who offers a safe and confidential space, allowing my clients to open up to me and speak about things they may not talk about with others. Sometimes that's all anyone ever needs. An ear to listen without judgments or solutions.

I also want to stress the importance of wanting as opposed to needing to change. If you NEED something bad enough, you most likely aren't in the state of mind to attract whatever it is into your life. You are desperate at this point. You don't want it for yourself and you're definitely not willing to make any changes in order to get there. You have to WANT it more. Let me explain. Let's say you don't have a job and because of this it's very hard for you to pay your bills each month. You are constantly complaining about never having money or being able to do things you once enjoyed doing. You start to become desperate for a job because you NEED money in order to feel secure. It's hard for you to be happy because all of your focus is on not having enough money even though you have a roof over your head and you're able to feed and clothe your family. Instead of being grateful for all that you do have, you think about what you don't have. If you became grateful for the things you already have before you and are able to make changes in order to get a job so that you can pay your bills on time and enjoy past luxuries, that's when you start wanting it more. You begin to attract that desire by believing that you can do anything to have the money you once needed before. The same goes for being healthier or losing weight. Once you stop needing it and start wanting it, then you're ready to take the steps by making positive changes to become what you have envisioned for yourself. You're more open to recommendations and trying out new foods, you WANT to work out because you know it makes you feel better emotionally and physically, and you're able to open up about things that were holding you back before.

With that said, I am not a miracle worker. I can't simply wave a magic wand and make all of your troubles disappear. I'm here for support and motivation. I can give you a thousand different recommendations that might have worked for me, but if you're not ready to open up to trying them, then you don't have it in you to want to make the change for yourself and any amount of healthy eating and exercise probably isn't going to work as well as it would for someone who is willing to put in the hard work. Make sense?

One more thing before I go, I do not believe that there is a fast fix to what eating healthy and exercise does for the body and mind. I don't care how natural or healthy it may seem, there is NOTHING better than being able to say,"I don't crave sugar like I used to," or "I can't wait to go on my run today!" If you can get excited about working out and know that eating right makes you happier and healthier, then you've reached the point of no return. I'm not saying you can't enjoy a cupcake every now and then, but the difference is in the way you know how that cupcake would make you feel if you ate 2 or 3 like your old self might have done. Knowing that you have your limits and sticking with them, that's the change you were striving for. What you worked so hard to achieve. THAT'S what makes being a health coach worth it, to me. To be able to see how far you've come, celebrate that success with you, and knowing that I have complete faith that you can carry the knowledge with you for the rest of your life.




*If you know anyone who may benefit from what I do, please direct them to my website for further information on how to contact me. www.healthyhappyspirit.com

Testimonial Time

As most of you already know, I recently graduated from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition as a Certified Holistic Health Coach, where I learned about Primary and Secondary food along, with a plethora of different dietary theories. Halfway through my schooling I acquired my very first client, who was more than willing to trust in me to help her on the path to a healthier, happier life. Not only did I teach her about new foods and introduced her to different lifestyle changes, but she also taught me how I wanted to conduct my business as a professional health coach. That's the best part of my new venture. I learn from others while they are learning from me. With that said, I wanted to share with you the amazing story and transformation of my awesome, first client, Carla Morris. Here's her testimonial in her own words, along with a before and after picture (she was already 20 pounds down in her before, but check out that definition in her after!):

My name is Carla Morris and I would like to share my experience with you. For the last 10 years I had put my health,weight and well being on the back burner which I think many of us have been known to do! I made the decision a year ago that enough was enough...I was tired of feeling bad! I struggled not only with weight but also with anxiety and self worth issues. I began my journey alone in March of 2012...I started with a simple weight loss goal of 25 lbs. I began exercising and eating right and I had success but I still felt something was missing...that was where Tara came in!

It all started out simply enough with her taking my health history and offering me her services. I never could have imagined how at that point my life would change!Through her program I not only learned how to feed my body but also my mind. She gave me the tools and I used them!Whether it was new foods and recipes,exercise tips,meditation or just some good laughs I learned so much about myself and what me and my body were capable of if I just chose to do what I needed to do to live a healthy, balanced life!

So here I am 6 months later and let me tell you the changes in my life are overwhelming! Not only did I reach my original weight loss goal, I surpassed it by almost 25 pounds! I have lost a total of 50 pounds and kept it off! This was done strictly through healthy eating and exercise. I have total confidence in the food choices i make..no more second guessing what my body needs to be healthy. I am also happy to report that my anxiety is all but gone...I believe that through personal growth and confidence building I was able to overcome this. I have grown in so many ways and I have Tara to thank!It is hard work and determination that will get you through this program..never give up and watch your body and mind change. Be open to trying new things and see how she will guide you to being a happier ,healthier you!