What if I told you that the first thing you should do is STEP? You don’t need to walk, although walking might help you think correctly. You’re in better hands than that since you follow us.
S.T.E.P.
S. State the problem (without blaming)
T. Think of solutions (safe + respectful)
E. Explore consequences of not changing (what if…)
P. Pick the best solution (make your plan; follow your coach/health practitioner)
The S.T.E.P. process can work in most areas of your life, but I’ve used it mainly for Functional Health, Nutrition, and Training coaching as a tool to help my clients reach their goals.
Since this is a “FUNCTIONAL HEALTH WEDNESDAY” post, let us explain how we can use the S.T.E.P. Process to Solve Functional Health issues.
S.T.E.P. FOR FUNCTIONAL HEALTH COACHING:
S. State The Problem:
For Functional Health, we would have to fill out an M.S.Q. (Metabolic Stress Questionnaire) and run a set of functional medicine lab tests to see what the problem is. You would then have a trained practitioner explain the issues. This may sound like a lot, but it is straightforward once you understand the mechanisms of the body and how to read functional medicine lab testing. A good coach can lay out this plan for you.
T. Think Of Solutions:
The most significant piece of advice I can give you to help you think of solutions is to avoid “Paralysis by analysis” (a common term used to describe a situation where a person becomes so overwhelmed by the amount of information they have that they are unable to make a decision or take action). If you have no formal education in interpreting functional medicine lab testing or general blood work, please do not simply research what your numbers mean. You should find a practitioner you trust, listen to every word they tell you, and see if the results come. With this scenario, you’re having someone else give you the solution. Always feel free to question that individual, or if you’re working with me, you can ask me. Suppose we are not able to give you an answer to one of your questions. That is a sign that we don’t know what we’re discussing, so don’t listen. If your practitioner can answer your questions, follow the solutions provided.
E. Explore The Consequences Of Not Changing:
What if… What if I continue down the path that I am on now? The “what ifs” are something you always want to ask yourself before beginning a program, especially one in Functional Health, as it often requires a high level of commitment. Let’s take the example of type 2 diabetes; say you are going in for your annual blood work; results come back for high levels of fasted insulin and hemoglobin A1c. These markers are related to insulin sensitivity and blood sugar balance, which affect your chances of getting diabetes. If your markers are at a state where you have pre-diabetes, your doctor might tell you to clean up your diet, but they give no additional help. The “What if”? In this scenario, If you do nothing and continue eating and living as you are now, you will go into a state of full type 2 diabetes, which will shorten your life or require harmful medications.
P. Pick The Best Solution:
Here, you can select the most suitable path for your wellness journey. Achieving functional balance and restoring your body’s health involves considering lifestyle choices, dietary preferences, location, and budget. With these in mind, we can tailor a perfect plan for you. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, we are confident that our customized plan will facilitate long-lasting changes. It may require
effort and sacrifice, but we will work together to make it manageable.
CONCLUSION
We appreciate you taking the time to read this; I hope it helps you and your decision to create a lifeline change in your body. If you have any further questions on this topic or anything related to nutrition, training, or Functional Health, please feel free to reach out. We have a very diverse team that would love to help you out.
A nice Blog to read to gain insight into Functional Health Coaching can be read here.