Answers (10)
1
Hi Karin.
As health and fitness professionals, we know that the holidays can be very challenging for our clients. The problem isn't that they don't know how to make healthy (eating) choices. Rather, the issue lies in emotional eating. Holidays present a number of potential emotional triggers including: eating for comfort, eating because of stress, eating because of depression, eating because of anxiety. The key is to address and deal with the underlying emotional cause of overeating.
Getting your clients to uncover the deeper emotional triggers and to face them will get them not only through the holidays but through the weeks, months and years to come with lasting success.
There is an excellent article in the latest (Nov. '11) Idea Fitness Journal "It's All in The Brain: Unlocking the Secrets of Overeating with Neuroscience". In that article on page 45, there is a sidebar that gives a simple inquiry tool called 'The Work' of Byron Katie that can be used with your clients. I have used 'The Work' of Byron Katie for many years, very successfully with my clients.
Instead of giving your clients the typical tips and tricks for how to avoid packing on the pounds I suggest that you help them to make lasting changes by dealing with deeper causes of emotional eating.
As health and fitness professionals, we know that the holidays can be very challenging for our clients. The problem isn't that they don't know how to make healthy (eating) choices. Rather, the issue lies in emotional eating. Holidays present a number of potential emotional triggers including: eating for comfort, eating because of stress, eating because of depression, eating because of anxiety. The key is to address and deal with the underlying emotional cause of overeating.
Getting your clients to uncover the deeper emotional triggers and to face them will get them not only through the holidays but through the weeks, months and years to come with lasting success.
There is an excellent article in the latest (Nov. '11) Idea Fitness Journal "It's All in The Brain: Unlocking the Secrets of Overeating with Neuroscience". In that article on page 45, there is a sidebar that gives a simple inquiry tool called 'The Work' of Byron Katie that can be used with your clients. I have used 'The Work' of Byron Katie for many years, very successfully with my clients.
Instead of giving your clients the typical tips and tricks for how to avoid packing on the pounds I suggest that you help them to make lasting changes by dealing with deeper causes of emotional eating.
0
Karin, I believe it is all connected to the client's values, goals and motivations. Once we as fitness professionals determine through appreciative inquiry what our clients value, we are in a position to use their goals, values and intrinsic motivators to encourage them to continue working towards their goals.
Thank you for your question.
Thank you for your question.
0
I simply try to remind my client's to make good choices! It is really all we can do as professionals. In the end, it is up to the client!
Scott
Scott
0
Karin- These holidays seasons are always challenging for our clients to avoid all the great meals that friends and family prepare, as fitness professional I like to make sure that my clients are well informed on tips that they can follow to stay in track of their programs. This would include what to eat or not to eat, and built and strategy when wonderful meals are placed in front of you, As you and I know that depriving yourself of not eating the meals would not be a realistic option. Here are some tips I gave to my clients, friends and family:
The average American will consume 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving day, a feat worthy of competitive eating accolades on any other day. But that doesn't mean you can't stuff your face without testing the fortitude of your new designer jeans. We imagine you'll want turkey. Cranberry sauce. Potatoes, sure. Gravy. Maybe some veggies on the side. Oh, and pie? Yeah, go for it! But just by making a couple of smart at-the-table swaps you could eat to your heart's content and still consume fewer calories than you did last year. Now that's something to be thankful for!
Peruse the Buffet Before Tackling It-
Before you begin to pack your plate with food, look over all of your options and decide which ones you really can't live without. Skip over any so-so food options as you don't need the added calories provided by these less-than-desirable options.
Stick With Water-
Avoid sodas and alcohol when selecting a beverage to wash down your Thanksgiving meal. These high-calorie beverages may quench your thirst, but they also pack an added calorie punch that you do not need on a day when you are already planning a large calorie intake.
Downsize Your Plate
Don't mosey on up to the Thanksgiving buffet armed with a platter to fill to the gills with food. Instead, select a smaller plate, such as a cake or pie plate or a plate this is slightly smaller in diameter than the other options. By using a petite plate, you ensure that you don't allow your eyes to get the better of your stomach and amass a mountain of food
Hope this helps.
The average American will consume 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving day, a feat worthy of competitive eating accolades on any other day. But that doesn't mean you can't stuff your face without testing the fortitude of your new designer jeans. We imagine you'll want turkey. Cranberry sauce. Potatoes, sure. Gravy. Maybe some veggies on the side. Oh, and pie? Yeah, go for it! But just by making a couple of smart at-the-table swaps you could eat to your heart's content and still consume fewer calories than you did last year. Now that's something to be thankful for!
Peruse the Buffet Before Tackling It-
Before you begin to pack your plate with food, look over all of your options and decide which ones you really can't live without. Skip over any so-so food options as you don't need the added calories provided by these less-than-desirable options.
Stick With Water-
Avoid sodas and alcohol when selecting a beverage to wash down your Thanksgiving meal. These high-calorie beverages may quench your thirst, but they also pack an added calorie punch that you do not need on a day when you are already planning a large calorie intake.
Downsize Your Plate
Don't mosey on up to the Thanksgiving buffet armed with a platter to fill to the gills with food. Instead, select a smaller plate, such as a cake or pie plate or a plate this is slightly smaller in diameter than the other options. By using a petite plate, you ensure that you don't allow your eyes to get the better of your stomach and amass a mountain of food
Hope this helps.
0
Hi,Karin!
The problem is not gaining weight in Holiday season.The real problem is that YOU
loose Your muscle during this season.To prevent this and avoiding overeating
try Branched Chain Amino Acids /BCAA/,three 1,000 mg capsules.Carry some with You on the go.
The problem is not gaining weight in Holiday season.The real problem is that YOU
loose Your muscle during this season.To prevent this and avoiding overeating
try Branched Chain Amino Acids /BCAA/,three 1,000 mg capsules.Carry some with You on the go.
0
I don't see an issue with the holidays. If a person eats a little more one day then eat a little less the rest of the week..problem averted. Maintain the exercise routine and don't worry about one day when there are 7 in a week. As for the whole holiday season..well..stay on track in the gym and log food intake, this should take care of any problems.
0
Hi Karin!
I agree with everyone that has posted thus far, there have been some great answers. Personally, I really like the idea of challenging our clients to shift their paradigm. Rather than resigning themselves to the fact that it’s the holidays and they will inevitably gain weight, why not challenge them to maintain (or even drop one to two pounds) instead?
I just read a really great article written by Rachel Cosgrove and she writes about that the average person only gains one to two pounds over the holidays (U.S. statistics) which isn’t that bad but the research also showed they never lose that one to two pounds. In fact, most people gain one to two pounds a year on average over their lifetimes. She offers some great strategies and tips and tricks to avoid the holiday weight gain.
I personally really like the idea of maybe having an in-house competition with some type of prize (maybe training sessions) at the end in which you start a countdown until Christmas (maybe starting it in December) where you have a visible day tracker with the days remaining to maintain or lose one to two pounds (if that;s your goal) over the holidays. Thoughts?
http://www.the-signal.com/archives/36785/
I agree with everyone that has posted thus far, there have been some great answers. Personally, I really like the idea of challenging our clients to shift their paradigm. Rather than resigning themselves to the fact that it’s the holidays and they will inevitably gain weight, why not challenge them to maintain (or even drop one to two pounds) instead?
I just read a really great article written by Rachel Cosgrove and she writes about that the average person only gains one to two pounds over the holidays (U.S. statistics) which isn’t that bad but the research also showed they never lose that one to two pounds. In fact, most people gain one to two pounds a year on average over their lifetimes. She offers some great strategies and tips and tricks to avoid the holiday weight gain.
I personally really like the idea of maybe having an in-house competition with some type of prize (maybe training sessions) at the end in which you start a countdown until Christmas (maybe starting it in December) where you have a visible day tracker with the days remaining to maintain or lose one to two pounds (if that;s your goal) over the holidays. Thoughts?
http://www.the-signal.com/archives/36785/
0
Hi, Karin,
I remind my clients that it is important to keep making healthy food choices during the holiday season. I ask them what they typically "splurge" on during the holidays. For example, let's say their favorite holiday treat is pecan pie. I tell them that one slice is almost 500 calories. Therefore, if they were to eat one slice of pie a day, on top of their usual intake, over a week they would gain 1 pound (7x500 = 3500 kcals which equals 1 lb) just from the pie. Some clients tend to think since it is the holiday they can allow themselves a few treats a day. However, this shows that even one treat a day can have a huge impact. In this example, one slice a pie a day from Thanksgiving through to the New Year, would mean they can expect to ring in the new year 5 pounds heavier.
I remind my clients that it is important to keep making healthy food choices during the holiday season. I ask them what they typically "splurge" on during the holidays. For example, let's say their favorite holiday treat is pecan pie. I tell them that one slice is almost 500 calories. Therefore, if they were to eat one slice of pie a day, on top of their usual intake, over a week they would gain 1 pound (7x500 = 3500 kcals which equals 1 lb) just from the pie. Some clients tend to think since it is the holiday they can allow themselves a few treats a day. However, this shows that even one treat a day can have a huge impact. In this example, one slice a pie a day from Thanksgiving through to the New Year, would mean they can expect to ring in the new year 5 pounds heavier.
0
I will first of all make him understand the importance of healthy food in life & then tell them to make a choice of the healthy food.
http://www.fightobesity.net/articles/weight-management
http://www.fightobesity.net/articles/weight-management
0
Instead of worrying about what you eating during the small span from thanksgiving and christmas - focus on the other 11 months that constantly impact your intake!
To put it in Perspective - Do not worry about indulging the large thanksgiving feast, holiday cookies, etc..
FOCUS ON: The 4 sodas you drink a day (Don't care if its diet), 6 cups of coffee, Daily late night snacks. Slowly limit the foods/drinks that compose of overall diet on a regular basis!
Good Luck & Happy Holidays!
Fuel the Movement,
JM
To put it in Perspective - Do not worry about indulging the large thanksgiving feast, holiday cookies, etc..
FOCUS ON: The 4 sodas you drink a day (Don't care if its diet), 6 cups of coffee, Daily late night snacks. Slowly limit the foods/drinks that compose of overall diet on a regular basis!
Good Luck & Happy Holidays!
Fuel the Movement,
JM
