The Overweight Client

A note to our Certified Fit-Pro Professionals…FYI

Ben Franklin noted “common sense is not very common”.

The truth is exactly the opposite. In real world psychology overweight clients are conditioned to fail. You have to remind yourself that this will probably not be the first time this client has attempted to lose weight or to change their diet. The real key to success in any endeavor is to realize that “no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” (Theodore Roosevelt) Belittling and embarrassing a client may make for good TV but, don’t try it with clients who are paying you.

If you want to succeed with your overweight clients you must be willing to become the biggest part of their support structure. Daily emails, and or phone calls will be essential to insure compliance and encourage continued participation. Very often your relationship with the client may be the only thing that prevents them from giving up.

 Don’t Worry, Be Crappy

Everyone is too afraid to make a mistake. However, if you make a mistake make a conservative mistake, not a foolish, Biggest Loser mistake. Just remember to use your common sense and keep it simple. These are not athletes. I have said numerous times that the best way to learn to train overweight clients is to do it. This way you can see firsthand they need different modalities…and proper care.

Why Are People Overweight?

I have done a lot of research and have come to a simple conclusion. Overweight people generally eat too much. I know this sounds like an oversimplification but a little reality therapy can be good. It’s usually not glands, and it may be genetics, but most often it is the over-consumption of food. (The wrong food- or meal skippers) You will not succeed with overweight clients if they do not change their diet. I have adopted a very simple approach to nutrition. I think nutrition is easy, compliance is hard. Science is beginning to agree. A recent study said that simple nutrition information encourages compliance.

If you just try to get clients to cut all corn and corn products out you will be going a long way toward improving nutrition. Just look at the label. If one of the first two ingredients is corn or high fructose corn syrup, skip it. Please note, corn is a grain, not a vegetable. It is also the number one calorie source in America. A product worse than corn is the dreaded high fructose corn syrup. It’s in everything and it’s bad for you.

Clients need to eat more protein. So” Protein is satiating… Think protein at every feeding. While you are at it, forget the term meal. Think 5-6 small feedings a day. Stop using the word meal. When an overweight person hears the term meal they have an entirely different thought process than you or I. We want clients to think about small feedings in the 300 calorie range, not meals.

Supplement your fats… I know many of you may be confused. Our fat ratios are all screwed up. You need to take a fish oil supplement every day to try to increase the amount of good fat in the systems. Buy good fish oil, preferably Krill Oil. Good brands include ProGrade, Mercola and Nordic Naturals.

Training the Overweight Client

The advice for training the overweight client is much like the advice on nutrition. First forget what you know. Remember that these clients are not athletes.

Oh and by the way…Is fat stubborn? Or are people? Ha!

Dave Parise CPT MES FPTA