Answers (6)
1
What a fabulous question!
I personally think the two go hand in hand.
I know many who could improve their eating habits but would never miss a day of exercise and others who find both challenging.
I've lived in countries where naturally people consume health high quality foods but engaging in physical activity consists of going for a daily walk after before dinner or after dinner.
If I had to choose, I would say exercising enough. The fact that they hire me to train them (at least in my opinion) indicates that they are not intrinsically motivated to move and need a little help.
Thanks for such a great question.
I personally think the two go hand in hand.
I know many who could improve their eating habits but would never miss a day of exercise and others who find both challenging.
I've lived in countries where naturally people consume health high quality foods but engaging in physical activity consists of going for a daily walk after before dinner or after dinner.
If I had to choose, I would say exercising enough. The fact that they hire me to train them (at least in my opinion) indicates that they are not intrinsically motivated to move and need a little help.
Thanks for such a great question.
1
I would have to say eating right. With the overabundance of poor food choices that are available to everyone, picking the right foods is difficult. I know a lot of people who think they are eating right, but are not. Also, eating right is a 24/7, 365 thing. Whereas working out can be a 60mins a day, 3 times a week thing.
As a trainer you have the ability to create a positive experience for your client everytime they come to the gym. Yet, you don't have the ability to be there with your client when they eat.
Both however are difficult since technology does everything it can to make everything a convenience for us.
As a trainer you have the ability to create a positive experience for your client everytime they come to the gym. Yet, you don't have the ability to be there with your client when they eat.
Both however are difficult since technology does everything it can to make everything a convenience for us.
0
Once a client has hired a trainer, exercise program adherence ususally isn't an issue. It's a difficult thing to know that you're doing everything you can as a trainer, and your client just isn't putting forth the effort. I've found that if you stick with it, remain supportive, and drive home the fact that exercising doesn't have to be a chore, people usually find their own ways to work up the energy and motivation to get into at least a semi-regular routine of exercise without you (the trainer) being there. Program ownership is what I strive for with all my clients.
As far as eating right, let's face it... You rarely get a client whose diet is ideal. Eating habits are much harder to tackle than exercise habits, in my opinon. It could be that I'm still experimenting with different ways that I can instill healthy eating habits while remaining in my scope of practice (my certification doesn't cover meal plans or the things that would be most directly helpful to clients). I have found that the best advice that I can give people in regard to eating is...
Stop to think about what your food is made of. Ask yourself, "What's IN this?" Be honest, and after a while, sensible people tend to start making healthier choices by choosing foods with simpler ingredients that they can actually pronounce.
By far, eating habits are harder to change than physical activity schedules from my perspective and experience.
As far as eating right, let's face it... You rarely get a client whose diet is ideal. Eating habits are much harder to tackle than exercise habits, in my opinon. It could be that I'm still experimenting with different ways that I can instill healthy eating habits while remaining in my scope of practice (my certification doesn't cover meal plans or the things that would be most directly helpful to clients). I have found that the best advice that I can give people in regard to eating is...
Stop to think about what your food is made of. Ask yourself, "What's IN this?" Be honest, and after a while, sensible people tend to start making healthier choices by choosing foods with simpler ingredients that they can actually pronounce.
By far, eating habits are harder to change than physical activity schedules from my perspective and experience.
0
This is one tough question Sandy! Both can be a really significant challenge to our clients. I think that it is very 'client specific.' Generally speaking, if a client hasn't established either of these habits (eating properly or exercising regularly) both of these will probably be equally difficult. However, all things being equal (which they seldom are) I would say that eating properly may be the most difficult. I say this because in today's society, people lead such busy lives that I find they are preparing their own meals less often, and grabbing "convenient food" on the run more. If we agree that we're using the term "regular exercise" in a BROAD SENSE here, then this can and should be easier simply because for the average American, this could mean even walking.
With the availability of the wrong foods, the convenience of grabbing food on the run, and the PERCEIVED lack of time to prepare food, it just too easy for people to NOT eat properly. Tough indeed!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
With the availability of the wrong foods, the convenience of grabbing food on the run, and the PERCEIVED lack of time to prepare food, it just too easy for people to NOT eat properly. Tough indeed!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
0
Hello Sandy,
Eating properly would top the list...to help my clients track their caloric consumption, I have them journal their nutrition and we review on a weekly basis.
Sincerely,
Michael
Eating properly would top the list...to help my clients track their caloric consumption, I have them journal their nutrition and we review on a weekly basis.
Sincerely,
Michael
