Your Wealth is Your Health

For centuries, children, teens and young adults have improved their athletic prowess through sports and fitness coaching.

For decades, life coaches have been assisting people to achieve professional and personal goals. Now, the last few years have seen enormous growth in health coaching–or integrative health–a practice which outlines a sustainable behavioral and nutritional plan to achieve better health. That's what Karen Rigney, a resident of Briarcliff Manor and certified holistic health coach at Rigney Integrative Nutrition LLC, does.

“The primary benefits of integrated health are longer life, more energy, increased focus [and] clear thinking in both work and school,” she said.

Is there a quick and easy place to start? Apparently, in the kitchen.

Recognizing that for her clients, daily life can be a seemingly endless cycle of work and tasks, Rigney understands the challenge of shifting from prepared and processed foods to regularly home-cooked meals.

“Baby steps,” Rigney suggested. “You can’t suddenly change the diet. Children especially still need to have foods they like, after school. But more home cooking, involving the kids in the process…talking about the meal, planning, cooking or Googling a recipe, [it] keeps them interested. If all the steps to prepare a meal are not worth the effort, keep it simple, but keep trying.”

Interested in other nutritional DOs & DON'Ts?

Consume whole foods, and avoid food fragments. For example, whole grains, potatoes and brown rice trump refined white flour, white pasta and white rice, respectively. Rigney suggests that those who can’t make the leap directly to whole grain try mixing it up a little at first.

“Add a few table spoons of whole grain flour to pancakes and waffles, gradually increasing the amount as kids acclimate to the taste,” she recommended.

Also recommended is purchasing from the , which Rigney considers the gold standard.

“They have so many great farmers and fisherman from Long Island…meat from grass fed animals, and pastured—not caged—chickens. Many farmers with quality produce participate.”

She added, “Involve teens and children in the food shopping and preparation process. When they are out with friends they are most likely to be faced with fast food choices, so what they have at home is important."

Rigney cites a recently acclaimed book, The China Study, outlining how plant based protein, versus meat based, develops lean muscle mass, increases stamina and reduces risk for long term illness.

Increased water should be no surprise, but lemon water helps people maintain their favorable PH balance, allowing metabolic processes to work optimally. 

“Protein is important since it is the building block for muscles,” Rigney said. “But, since Americans need more protein in their diet, they should derive more from plant based vs. animal protein.”

Favorite lean proteins are fish, chicken and turkey. For simplicity, salads can easily be assembled, rather than cooked, and can include seeds, vegetables, nuts, legumes and beans.

A personal program begins with the health coach working with an individual to identify and understand a comprehensive set of historical and environmental factors integral to developing a customized health plan. Such considerations as a client’s health history, ethnic background, family medical history and current health status are all pieces to the well being puzzle. They provide important clues on what works for the individual.

As Rigney pointed out, “This is a micro-integrated program, not just a list of foods you can eat. It is specifically customized for an individual’s goals. The process does not take a one size fits all approach.”

Once the history assessment is complete, individual personal health goals are established. The program, which incorporates nutritional and behavioral change, is designed for six months with check points along the way. Goals may occasionally be changed throughout program and often goals are met earlier than expected.

By the end of the six months, individuals typically experience healing through a diet comprised of whole foods and lifestyle enhancements. Lifestyle enhancements include self awareness practice, exercise, better relationships with family and friends, and career growth.

As Rigney summed up, “Life is long so the end game is not just about a healthy diet and being a healthy person...your new healthy body and spirit should be used bas a tool for professional and personal growth.”

Rigney is certified by State of New York and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.