You've had enough! Your weight keeps creeping up and you're feeling progressively more out of shape. You joined a health club but you stopped going. You've been on Weight Watchers off and on. You know you need to get serious about taking care of yourself before you get any older. You've heard about health coaching and think this is the edge that you need. But how do you choose a health coach? How can you know you're getting a good one?

First, you need to take a look at their training. The coaching industry has no regulation so you'll want to make sure your prospective health coach has been through a thorough training program. Look for someone who trained for a least a year, that's a longer program. Also, check to see if they belong to any professional organization. The International Coach Federation is a big one.

Next, don't be afraid to talk with a few health coaches before you choose. Most coaches offer a free initial session. Pick a few and make appointments with them. The coaching process is a relationship and you'll want a coach you feel comfortable with and have a good rapport with. You should be able to feel comfortable with a coach by the end of that first session.

Then you'll want to look for a coach who works with someone like yourself. Are you a working woman? Find a coach who specializes in working with women. Maybe you're a diabetic and that needs to be a focal point of your health coaching. Look for a health coach who specializes in working with diabetics. There are a lot of specialty coaches and the advantage of that is you'll end up with a health coach that truly understands you and your circumstances. Also, would you feel more comfortable working with a man or woman?

Finally, in shopping around for a coach, check to see if your prospective coaches offer free newsletters. If they do, sign up for them. Subscribing to a health coach's newsletter is a great way to become more familiar with your prospective coach. Through their articles, you'll learn more about their philosophies, their approach, and how they work. In a way, this helps you build a relationship with them before you even meet them.

Choosing a health coach is a big decision, so don't be afraid to take your time. With a little research you should be able to find one you feel comfortable with, one that can guide you to a healthier you.