After more than 6 months in this program, all of the participants were re-assessed to see what impact the program had on their lives.  The results are encouraging.

In the beginning of the program, “Gerry” met with Paul Ratte, ND (naturopathic doctor at Woodwinds Natural Care Center) for an evaluation; he provided some recommendations for dietary changes.  Beyond that initial meeting, it was up to “Gerry” whether the suggestions would be put into practice and to see if coaching influenced whether expert suggestions were followed.

Lifestyle Changes Put Into Practice:

• Completed the 28-day detox with Ultra Clear, which totally changed his/her eating;
• “Gerry” ate fairly healthy foods at the start of this program but just ate too much sugar and binged in the evenings.  “Gerry” still eats too much protein in the evening but rarely eats sugar anymore.  While not strictly following the rhythmic eating guidelines, this method informs his/her choices;
• Greatly decreased calorie consumption in the evening;
• When anxious, instead of bingeing on cookies and other snack foods, now eats fruit or homemade popsicles made from organic fruit juice;
• Took cod liver oil irregularly for years – was taking it more regularly at the start of the program but not very much during the program;
• Incorporated spiritual practices into weekly routine more regularly;
• Began a Kundalini yoga practice once per week.

Physical Assessment

• Blood Pressure:  “Gerry’s” blood pressure remained consistent throughout the program and is well within the normal acceptable range.
• Waist/Hip:  “Gerry’s” waist measurement decreased 1.75 inches, and the hip measurement decreased 1.75 inch (2.25 inches from the mid-point of the program).  The waist/hip ratio did not change.
• Weight:  “Gerry” lost 5 pounds
• Body Fat:  “Gerry’s” body fat decreased 5.2 %

What the Physical Assessment means:

Since the mid-program assessment “Gerry” started practicing yoga once per week as well as completing the detox program – which shifted his/her eating habits.  This likely contributed to the significant decrease in body fat even though the weight loss was not very large.

Although moving in the right direction, “Gerry’s” waist measurement and waist/hip ratio continue to be above the recommended level, which puts him/her at risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. There is significant value in metabolic detoxification; this is done more for physical health, but there is a component of emotional and spiritual well-being as well. According to Paul Ratte, ND, short Ultra Clear programs (3-5 days) would be of significant value for “Gerry” 4 times/year.  

Clinical Assessment

• Fasting Glucose:  “Gerry’s” glucose increased 5 points; although still within the normal range, it is moving towards being prediabetic.
• Fasting Total Cholesterol:  “Gerry’s” total cholesterol decreased by 3 and is still within the normal range.
• HDL/LDL:  “Gerry’s” HDL decreased by 16 with the LDL increasing by 10.
• Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio:  the ratio increased by 1.0.
• Triglycerides:  “Gerry’s” triglyceride measurement increased by 15.

What the Clinical Assessment Means:

He/she had a decrease in his/her total cholesterol but had an increase in LDL (bad cholesterol) with a drop in HDL (good cholesterol). As a result, his/her total cholesterol to HDL ratio increased which increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. It is possible that the better values when the program started were impacted by “Gerry” more regularly taking cod liver oil when the program began but not continuing it during this program.  Continuing to make good food choices and incorporating a cardiovascular and strength training program can help improve his/her overall lab results and examination findings. 

Life Balance Wheel

The Life Balance Wheel provides a picture of how satisfied individuals are with eight areas of their life; each one is essential to being a whole and complete balanced person. When people are not living a balanced life, the wheel is lopsided; as they become more balanced, the wheel actually starts to resemble a circle.  “Gerry” filled out this tool at the beginning of the program, at the end of February, and again at the end of May. “Gerry” is on the right track.

What the Life Balance Wheel means:

“Gerry’s” satisfaction increased in several areas; more importantly how he/she views each aspect of wellness became more even – indicating greater balance.  In reflecting on all three wheels, “Gerry” saw more wholeness – the pieces of his/her life have come together and he/she is moving in that direction.  “Gerry” still wants to have more fun in life.

“Gerry” feels that he/she finally became engaged in this program at month three; his/her normal process of change is to fight his/her own internal dialogue and ego for a while, which is what happened in this case.  In his/her initial coaching intake session, “Gerry’s” goals were to make decisions from the soul and less from ego and habits and to be more present to his/her decisions.  “Gerry” stated that he/she would know the coaching has been effective by seeing changes in his/her daily life and that it would get him/her thinking.  What stood in the way were thoughts of “I don’t want to” and a fear of living powerfully.  When reflecting on this, “Gerry” as speechless and stated that the shift in him/her has been dramatic.  Another powerful realization for “Gerry” is moving towards seeing outside sources (i.e. coach, therapist, spiritual guide, etc.) as support rather than rescue.

Intrinsic Capacity

The Hartman Value Profile (HVP) is a tool developed by the leading researcher in axiological psychology, Dr. Leon Pomeroy.  This tool examines how people value themselves and the world and shows whether people function more from their intrinsic domain (i.e. the core of their being and what is most important to them) or from extrinsic or systemic domains.  When people make choices using the intrinsic, there tends to be less conflict because choices are made from what is most important as opposed to shoulds.

“Gerry” completed the HVP at the beginning of the program and at the end of 6 months of coaching; the results showed a significant increase in his/her intrinsic capacity.  In fact, “Gerry” showed the most dramatic change of all the participants.  According to these results, “Gerry” had significant concerns with his/her work world before the program which have decreased along with self-esteem increasing.

“Gerry’s” results also indicate a decrease in the importance he/she places on the surrounding world while increasing the importance placed on the self.  Because we all work in a system of balance, one area can’t gain without another area losing; therefore, as the coaching taught “Gerry” to value himself/herself more, his/her value of the world and surrounding people lost a little bit of importance.  This shift indicates an increase in intrinsic capacity and results in less struggle when making choices by being true to the self.  According to Dr. Pomeroy, based on these results we can expect to demonstrate that Intrinsic Coaching™ strengthensone's interpersonal and intrapersonal intrinsic dimensions of valuation and thinking (valuation is the building block of thinking).  One interesting note is that “Gerry” mentioned that he/she felt a shift when taking the HVP for the second time and felt more at home in the world and with himself/herself and felt content.