Lifestyle Coaching
Start of new group: September/October 2025
Lifestyle coach at VMfysio
The importance of a healthy lifestyle is greater than ever. The aging population, the increase in chronic diseases and the pressure on healthcare make it essential to work on health preventively. Lifestyle coaching within a physical therapy practice plays a crucial role in this. By working together on healthy habits in the areas of nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management, patients’ overall health can improve and chronic conditions can often be prevented or alleviated. Lifestyle coaching is therefore a valuable complement to traditional physical therapy treatments and contributes to long-term improvements in quality of life.
Within VMfysio we offer a lifestyle coaching program that is fully reimbursed by the health insurance company. This requires a referral from the general practitioner. This program lasts 2 years and is a ‘Combined Lifestyle Intervention’ (GLI).
What is a Combined Lifestyle Intervention (GLI) and why participate?
A Combined Lifestyle Intervention (GLI) is a science-based program for people who are overweight, with the goal of promoting behavior change. The program focuses on making healthier choices in nutrition, exercise, sleep and personal balance. The GLI is an effective way to lose weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and improve overall health. By changing habits, the participant not only learns to lose weight, but also how to maintain a healthy lifestyle over the long term.
CooL: Lifestyle Coaching
There are several providers of the GLI in the Netherlands, including the CooL program (Coaching op Leefstijl). The CooL program is an effective variant of the GLI, which supports participants in achieving their personal health goals. The program lasts 2 years and consists of group meetings and individual coaching. During the program, participants work on several key lifestyle topics.
The CooL coach plays an important role in guiding participants, with the participant being responsible for his or her own progress. This approach keeps the participant motivated and allows for personal wants and needs. The CooL program helps participants not only lose weight, but also develop sustainable habits that contribute to a long-term healthier lifestyle.
Structure of the CooL program.
The CooL program consists of two phases:
- Phase 1 (8 months): Start of behavior change. In this phase, participants are helped to develop new healthy habits and unlearn unhealthy ones.
- Phase 2 (16 months): Maintaining behavior change. In this phase, the focus is on maintaining the new habits and further improving health.
Both phases consist of 90-minute group sessions and 30-minute individual sessions. The program thus provides a good balance between group support and personal counseling.
Why participate in the CooL program?
- Personal coaching: Each participant gets their own CooL coach who supports in achieving personal health goals.
- Scientifically proven: The program is based on proven methods to promote a long-term healthy lifestyle.
- Lasting results: The program focuses on lasting behavioral changes so that participants can maintain their new healthy habits.
- Improving quality of life: Healthier choices can lower the risk of chronic disease and improve overall quality of life.
Is CooL something for me?
The CooL program is suitable for people 18 years of age and older who:
- Be overweight (BMI between 25-30) and/or have co-morbidities such as sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, enlarged abdominal girth or an increased risk of diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
- Being severely overweight (BMI over 30).
- Have sufficient motivation to complete the full 2-year course.
- Mastering the Dutch language.
- Who is the CooL coach?
How can you participate?
Participants can only start with a referral from their primary care physician or primary care physician (POH). If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please feel free to contact us. We are ready to support you on your way to a healthier lifestyle.
Physical therapist and lifestyle coach Roby Broeknellis works with us as a CooL coach
‘I help you improve your lifestyle by working together on all the pillars of health. I stand beside you to set achievable goals so you can step by step develop a healthier lifestyle that suits you. With practical tips and personal guidance, we will ensure that you achieve long-term, lasting results. I look forward to working with you on your health!
