While working with a medical professional, personal trainer, coach or contractor, we want to know what we will be getting for the time we are working with them and the service they provide.  Some industries can be a little vague in what you can expect from them, but it’s always best to ask.  If you don’t ask, then they will assume you already know.  Some services will give you an idea before you start, while some will wait until you are quoted before giving you the level of detail for services provided.  I prefer to set expectations during a first initial introduction, and then clarify those expectations during the first official appointment.  When signing up for coaching, it is a partnership between the client (you) and the service provider (coach).  There should be clear expectations of both parties so the goal can be achieved and both parties understand what is expected of them.  Below, I have listed 10 expectations for the client (you) and 10 expectations for the coach (me) when signing up for nutrition coaching services.  I do feel that these can apply to any and all businesses though, so take my example with nutrition coaching and see if it can help you in the future anytime you pay for services or work with a medical practitioner, contractor or trainer.

What is expected of you:

• Be on time for your scheduled appointment

• Familiarize yourself with Practice Better before the appointment

• Be prepared to answer many questions about your nutrition, medical history, challenges with nutrition in the past

• Have an idea of what you want to achieve with nutrition coaching

• Be open-minded to try a new approach BUT let your coach know if the new approach makes you uncomfortable

• If you are unfamiliar with a word or concept used, please let the coach know right away so they can explain it better

• Do all tasks to the best of your ability every day, and if there is difficulty completing them daily, let your coach know so they can adjust the task or modify your goals to match your effort

• Be open and honest about your food intake, exercise habits and cooking ability

• Be willing to be made more aware of your dietary choices and their impact on your health, performance and weight

• Communicate with your coach as much as you can

What to expect from your coach:

• Punctuality for the scheduled appointment

• Help navigating the Practice Better app once you have it downloaded, but communicate the need for help

• Ask questions to help understand you as a patient, and the best approach for providing you with answers

• Help you set goals and provide a roadmap for reaching them

• Will modify the approach and recommendations to fit you and your comfort level

• Explanations for concepts and tasks that are understandable to you

• Understanding in managing life’s many stressors preventing you from giving 100% on your plan, and will modify your goal to match your effort

• Will not judge you based on your nutrition, exercise, or cooking ability

• Will open your mind to the possibilities food is having on you positively and negatively

• Respond to your communications in a timely manner (usually within a few hours)

Shanti Wolfe | Director of Nutrition