In today’s fast-paced world, health can often take a backseat to career demands. Tess Cheng, a health coach for busy professionals, understands these challenges firsthand. She brings a wealth of experience, not only in nutrition but in creating holistic wellness practices for those juggling demanding schedules. In this conversation, Tess shares insights into how we can build healthier lives one small step at a time.

A Personal Journey to Health and Wellness

Tess’s journey into health coaching began with her own health struggles. Growing up with a family history of diabetes, she prioritized regular checkups. When her doctor diagnosed her with hypoglycemia, Tess realized she needed to make lifestyle changes to avoid developing diabetes. This experience sparked her interest in nutrition and eventually led her to pursue a career in health coaching.

Switching from advertising sales to nutrition, Tess completed her master’s in nutrition at NYU. Over the years, she discovered that health goes beyond food and exercise. “Food is essential, but so are sleep, exercise, stress management, and social connections,” she says. These components all contribute to overall wellness.

Supporting Busy Professionals in Prioritizing Health

Many of Tess’s clients are senior executives and business owners who struggle to find time for their health. “They know they could do better with their habits but often feel overwhelmed by their schedules,” she explains. By working together, Tess helps them identify why they want to be healthy and what motivates them. This approach fosters clarity, allowing her clients to create achievable health goals.

For Tess, building healthier habits isn’t about enforcing strict rules but finding sustainable changes that fit into her clients’ lifestyles. She often works on small behavioral changes that add up over time.

Strategies for Healthier Living

Tess emphasizes making health a priority by setting aside time each day, even if it’s just for a short walk or a mindful break. “Self-care allows you to stay healthy and avoid burnout,” she advises. Scheduling regular breaks, staying hydrated, and managing stress are simple yet effective ways to boost energy and focus throughout the day.

Another helpful strategy Tess recommends is journaling. “Writing down what went well and what didn’t each day can give you insights into your habits,” she explains. Keeping a record not only helps with accountability but also allows her clients to celebrate small victories and build on them.

Rethinking Alcohol and Other Habits

For many professionals, social drinking can become a routine part of work life. Tess works with her clients to explore alternatives if they want to cut back on alcohol. She encourages them to start with small changes, like reducing the number of drinks or finding non-alcoholic alternatives, which can have a significant impact on sleep and overall well-being.

Her approach isn’t about total abstinence unless that’s the client’s goal. Instead, Tess focuses on manageable steps, making gradual adjustments that fit each individual’s lifestyle.

Nutrition as a Mindset, Not a Diet

While Tess is a trained nutritionist, she emphasizes a sustainable approach to healthy eating over rigid meal plans. “It’s not practical to follow a strict diet all the time,” she says. Instead, she teaches her clients how to make healthier choices regardless of the situation, whether they’re dining out, attending a social gathering, or traveling.

By focusing on quality ingredients and balanced meals, her clients gradually retrain their taste buds. One client, for instance, reduced her sugar intake and soon found she preferred less sweet foods. “It’s amazing how we can retrain our taste buds,” Tess shares.

The Importance of Tracking Wellness

Tess also uses wellness trackers with her clients, which provide insights into habits like sleep, energy levels, and diet. “Keeping track allows you to see patterns and make adjustments,” she says. By documenting how they feel at different times of the day, her clients can identify what’s working and where they might need support.

For sleep improvement, Tess suggests having an earlier dinner and avoiding large meals late at night. These adjustments not only enhance sleep quality but also set a healthy tone for the following day.

Cooking for Health and Happiness

Cooking can be a therapeutic, joyful experience, and Tess encourages her clients to prepare meals at home when possible. “When you cook, you have control over the ingredients,” she says. Home cooking also allows for creativity, experimentation, and the satisfaction of creating something nourishing for oneself or loved ones.

Tess suggests that making more food than needed can be a helpful way to have a healthy, ready-made meal on hand for the next day. She sees cooking as a blend of art and science—an opportunity to personalize and take ownership of one’s nutrition.

Final Thoughts: Building Health One Step at a Time

For Tess, the key to lasting health is gradual, manageable changes. Her parting advice to the audience is simple: “Health is the foundation of everything we do. Try one new thing at a time and see what works.” Small steps lead to sustainable habits, and focusing on prevention can make a world of difference.

With Tess’s insights, even the busiest professionals can find ways to prioritize health without feeling overwhelmed. By making incremental changes and building on positive habits, wellness becomes a natural part of life rather than a task to check off.

Tess Cheng - A Health Coach For Busy Professionals - she help busy professionals implement transformative and long-lasting lifestyle changes that make them look and feel their best.

https://tinyurl.com/GWTWellnessTracker

https://glowithtess.com/

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