Follow Through: This time, it's for real!

This is part 1 of a 4 part series:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I like the title of this article. Why? Several reasons come to mind, but one of which is the image my overly active imagination conjures when I say it aloud. I can hear the voice of that famous movie announcer Don LaFontaine saying, “This time, it’s for real.” I also like the funny version of him as well. But enough about my twisted sense of humor …

Follow-through.

How many times have you said to yourself, “I’m going to stick to my _____ (fill in the blank with diet, exercise plan, schedule, etc) this time no matter what!” Then three weeks later you realize it’s been two weeks since “no matter what” apparently occurred.

Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger and don’t start beating yourself up. You’re only human and we as humans must endure some measure of hardship and personal failure. Please understand that hardship and failure in some areas do not have to be a consistent way of life. There is absolutely no need to learn a lesson again and again. Someone wise once said, “If you have to repeat a lesson learned you never really learned it in the first place.”

The most difficult part of the job of “personal fitness trainer” is probably the accountability portion. As a trainer people come to me all of the time saying they have a desire to get lean, lose fat, regain their health or some other health or fitness related goal. I believe them all, although many wind up not really being serious at all. They look sincere and they sound sincere, so I believe them. If I had a test I could perform or a tool I could use I could determine which individuals were really serious and which were simply trying to convince themselves. But that’s the problem…the reality is that only 15 to 20 percent are REALLY serious.

I love my profession. I eat, drink and work at it constantly. (I’d include sleep in there as well, but many of you who know me personally would know it’s a lie. I’d actually have to sleep first) As such, one of the issues that frustrate me, as well as any good trainer, are when the people with whom we work do not achieve the results they deserve. It’s hard to accept that maybe it's not the effectiveness of the programs we employ or the journals we ask them to keep but rather their own perceptions of personal and individual desire.

Therefore, what can I as an individual, coach and encourager do to see that those who have entrusted their progress, safety and results to me actually receive those benefits?
Many trainers before me have sought to close the gap between the actions of a client within the relatively controlled arena of the gym and those in the real world. Dr. Chris Mohr was recently interviewed by Alwyn Cosgrove on this subject. Here is one question from that interview:
AC: “In my opinion, everyone knows what to do to lose weight---but getting them to do that is the difficult part. What do you think is the role of behavior change or modification in a fat loss plan?”
CM: “This was the entire focus of my PhD research. It is absolutely the underlying issue. Really, it’s even more important than the nutrition or training, because if someone isn’t going to put your tools into practice, you’ll (both) just be spinning your wheels.
“I think it’s important to always remember that what I’m willing to do with my nutrition and training is not the same as everyone else and that does take some practice. So while I think mixing cottage cheese, plain non fat yogurt, fruit, and flax seed is a fantastic snack---for most folks I’m hoping they don’t order the Big Mac THREE times today, but only twice, and the third time try one of the salad options. Slowly but surely, we’ll continue to work on quality and ultimately turn those folks around to having loads of nutrient dense foods each day!”

Perhaps now you see this issue isn’t one that is limited to the San Antonio, Texas area. It is a scene that plays out all across the globe. Why? Maybe it’s a lack of quality guidance or information, effective motivational techniques, or maybe it is simply basic human nature. I really don’t know.

As a trainer who cares, what then can I do to help people achieve the results we both so desperately desire? I think we must first examine and seek to understand the nature of the relationship between a personal fitness trainer and their client.

When we go into a grocery store and make a purchase for a gallon of milk, once the cash has changed hands, the deal is done. We have become a customer of the store. For all intents and purposes the relationship ends there. The same rules do not apply in the personal trainer/client relationship.

By nature, the raw definition of a client is “a person or group that uses the professional advice or services of another. One who is under the care and guidance of another.” In the case of a fitness trainer, the transaction begins with the exchange of money. I take this definition very seriously. My entire reputation is based upon the quality of care I give my clients and the results they achieve.

As a professional I take a great deal of pride in helping people achieve success. When they win, I win. When they don’t…I get a sick feeling in my gut that simply gnaws at me. I like to win, and I like others to win. My question has always been, “What can I do to help folks succeed (win) in their fat loss goals?”

Often times it boils down to this: The best and most effective tools are great to have, but if we don't use them and take action, they don't really matter. Create a plan and execute it no matter how simple it seems. Sometimes simple is the most effective route.

This term “action”, however, seems to be the sticking point for many people. As Alwyn stated earlier, “everyone knows what to do to lose weight---but getting them to do that is the difficult part.”

This is the area that I would like to focus on in the next article.

Until then, God bless,
SP