Introduction
“An early walk is a blessing for the whole day.”
Henry David Thoreau
As a health and wellness coach, you should encourage people to have a more active lifestyle rather than a lazy one and introduce them to regular physical activity.
Walking is one of the most accessible and convenient forms of physical activity, especially for the elderly or those who are beginning a physical exercise routine and want to build up stamina steadily before getting into a proper physical exercise routine and mode. It helps in the warm-up as well before exercising. On the other hand, jogging is one step forward from walking, a form of trotting, slow, intermittent or slow-paced running. And running is a faster speed which ideally should be done under the supervision of a certified health and wellness coach, that is you.
There is relatively less stress in walking, and at times it’s a pleasure to walk in cool surrounding areas, such as a park or a soft soil walking trail. Jogging is like moderate aerobic exercise. As mentioned above, running is a faster, scurry-paced movement, generally requiring a reasonable and appropriate health condition.
How much walking and jogging is required or sufficient?
As a health and wellness coach, you should slowly build the stamina of your clients. At the start, the stamina for a physical ability to exercise varies from person to person and depends on factors like age, health condition, physical-built, lifestyle, etc. Increase the walk time of your client in a uniform manner, such as having a 10-week walk-jog plan, and increase the distance slowly every week. If your client wishes to go jogging, give the best technique and advice. Over time, physical exercises can be introduced for complete and holistic health.
How can you encourage your clients to inculcate a habit of walking and jogging, and ultimately into good physical exercises
- Inform the benefits of walking and jogging to your client.
Your client must realize the importance and value of this, especially the ones with an erratic lifestyle. It would help if you kept your clients motivated, and you must encourage them to do so from time to time. You are the source to take them out of any lethargy or laziness. Tell them that this can improve their immune system, improve cardiac health, strengthen bones, balance their physical appearance, reduce the risk of cancer and diabetes, help in weight loss, and keep a mental balance.
- Inform about the demerits and health loss of having no physical activity.
No exercise or physical activity can jeopardize anyone’s health in the short and long term. It can make a negative impact on physical and mental health over time. Tell the client about the associated health hazards, such as an increase in weight, respiratory problems, and a decrease in immunity.
- Increase time and distance step by step.
Walking conditions and tones physical health or body for a better physical exercise fitness. Induce the habit of walking or jogging step by step. If your client has been inactive in physical activity in the recent past, get to know his or her daily routine and try to induce a walking time pattern in his or her lifestyle step by step. Increasing the walking time and distance slowly, e.g. in the first week – 15 minutes daily, second week – 30 minutes and so forth.
- Walking and jogging are more effortless movements that can lead to endurance for physical exercises.
Tell the client to spare between 20 to 45 minutes to walk or jog almost daily as a routine. Depending on a person’s health status, there are virtually no side effects. Walking is a low-impact exercise and often a leisure one. This helps in building physical power to exercising over time.
- Lifestyle Management.
Given the busy schedules and erratic modern-day lifestyle, especially in the urban cities, you need to assist your client in mending this. Simple guidance like proper sleep, limiting mobile usage and TV watching can be a good start. Introduce good exercises by the day.
Conclusion
“Walking gets the feet moving, blood moving, the mind moving.”
Terri Guillemets
For your client to build endurance and physical fitness for exercises, beginning to walk and jog are a good start. It only requires your client’s motivation and a bit of willpower to get going on walking or jogging.
Walking or jogging daily is in the best interest of your client’s health and well-being. This is less stressful. It would help if you recommended running and physical exercises after determining your client’s physical status, age, and medical history.
As a certified coach, it is your responsibility and task to get your clients in a healthy attitude mode. To improve a client’s lifestyle, guide him or her with your expertise as a leading coach.
