What type of nutritional coaching do you provide if you are only certified as a personal trainer?

I use a common sense approach to nutrition when helping clients to make better dietary habits a part of their futures. I show them ways to flavor foods with herbs and spices rather than fats and sugars. And if the questions start moving out of my comfort zone, I refer them to a nutritionist or dietician.

I follow USDA guidelines and my scope of practice as a Lifestyle and Weight Management coach, a Health Fitness Specialist, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Self journaling intake is not only a recommended tool but a scientifically valid tool as well. See the Obesity Education Initiative Evidence Report from the NIH and the NHLBI. I share what studies on method for weight loss and weight management support, and then hold them to their own committments.
Danielle

Hello Jocelyn.

I noticed that you are both ACE GFI and PT certified.

I am unsure if you are posing the question because you need to know for your own professional development or just to see what the overall approach is on nutritional coaching among fitness professionals.

Like you I hold ACE certifications. For the fitness professional who holds their ACE credential in high regard and wishes to practice within their scope I would recommend that they refer to ACE position on nutrition and the scope of practice for both the group fitness instructor and the personal trainer. You will find this in chapter four of the second edition of the GFI manual. I believe there has been a new edition printed so if you have the new manual, there is a possibility that it is in a different chapter.

At present I don't have my personal trainer manual accessible, so I am unable to direct you on where to locate it within that manual.

As far as coaching is concerned, I encourage you to utilize techniques that encourage your clients to change the nutritional behaviors that they are aware are preventing them from reaching their wellness goals. Emphasize SMART goals that are not overly ambitious so that they are able to be successful.

For example, if you know they like to eat a fried breakfast on a daily basis, encourage them to eat a fried breakfast only three days a week as opposed to seven days a week.

Utilizing the suggestions ACE provides assist them in making good food choices based upon the above-mentioned guidelines. Share with them why we need to eat and assist them in understanding how the macronutrients we eat are important in maintaining metabolic function of their body.

Jocelyn, I hope this was helpful to you and I wish you the best.

If there goal is to lose weight which is most likely a large proportion of clients nutrition intervention is going to be involved. Some things Joanne mentioned above are good points. Honestly, most of what you should be informing them should be common sense and most likely they already know. For example, eating fast food 5 times a week. drinking 7 cups of coffee a day, 2 liter bottle of soda a day (yes I have had individuals I have worked with consume that much). You should act more as a source of accountability and direction. It should be obvious the popcorn every night might hinder the results. Slowly eliminating foods that most impact ones diet (negatively).

If someone specifically asks for a detailed menu of planned meals = Refer

Based on who you talk to you will hear a different position but that is my overall view on the topic.

Also be sure to have insurance - Just in case!

Fuel the Movement,
JM

My ISSA cert provided a section that focused on caloric needs of an individual based on age/weight/activity level and gender, along with how to calculate total caloric needs for weight loss and muscle gain. As fitness trainers, we're well within the scope of our practice to discuss caloric needs as well as macronutrients (Carbohydrates, proteins and fats) with clients. It's our duty to continually educate ourselves on current research about nutrition.

The truth is, nutrition, albeit a science, is as controversial a topic as religion or politics. In fact, too much of our nutritional information is sadly 'informed' by politics more than science.

If my client wants me to help them build a diet, they must bring me a week of food journals so that I understand what they already eat and can then build a food plan based on foods they enjoy. The best diet is the one the client will actually follow!

I leave the micronutrient profiles to more highly educated specialists.

The biggest thing to remember you are not a dietician. You cannot prescribe a diet, however you can make suggestions.

I would start by making them conscious of what they are eating. Most people are unaware of portions and calories. I have them keep a weekly food log and at the end of the week I make suggestions for smarter choices (higher nutrient density) if necessary.

Next I would explain to them calories in vs calories out. To lose 1 pound a week, they need a caloric deficit of 500 calories per day.

Use the BMR formula to calculate a baseline for the minimum calories they should consume:

Women BMR = 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)
Men BMR = 66 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years)

This formula shows them what their body needs to function. Many of my clients will try to eat less than this out of fear that they will not lose weight, however they end up starving themselves, then binge eating. If they consume the minimum needed calories each day, they are more likely to maintain control.

To find out how much they burn each day use the Harris Benedict Formula:

If you are sedentary (little or no exercise) : Calories Burned = BMR x 1.2
If you are lightly active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/week) : Calories Burned = BMR x 1.375
If you are moderatetely active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/week) : Calories Burned = BMR x 1.55
If you are very active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days a week) : Calories Burned = BMR x 1.725
If you are extra active (very hard exercise/sports & physical job or 2x training) : Calories Burned = BMR x 1.9

Hi Jocelyn, that's a great question and I've always wondered why more people do not ask it. I think all the answers above are excellent and I use some of the same tools with my clients. My summary answer is: that it depends on the person. Every individual has a different readiness for change and they come to us with unique weight loss goals and expectations. I never attempt to be a nutritionist nor veer out of my scope of practice so I usually suggest different weight loss programs they may want to research such as Weight Watchers, Lindora etc. However, first and foremost, I do coach all of my weight loss clients to start with the most important yet simple step - food journaling; and now with the modern iPhone/Droid apps such as Lose It and MyFitnessPal, anyone can log. Sometimes people lose weight by using simple and free programs that we can easily suggest. I feel it's my responsibility to provide consistent support, accountability and metabolic boosting-high intensity workouts. However, sometimes our most basic advice can go a long way. I once helped a college student lose 11 lbs just by discussing smart nutrition and snack habits with her while we trained. I didn't even realize this until she told me at the end of the summer how much my advice had helped. But again, I usually send obese clients to weight loss specialists and support them in their program while I am training them. Every client needs a tailored approach unique to their circumstances. Thanks for reading, Anne

I find that most clients are not so much in need for nutrition information but on ways to implement change. Even though they pose the question as "What should I eat?", the real issue is how to go about making the necessary changes.

Personally, that is a field that I am quite comfortable with even though I do not have a degree in nutrition (however, I am certified as an ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management Coach). I believe, though, that we can assist clients in changing behavior with the personal trainer certifications.

All of the previous answers are on point with my thoughts about nutritional coaching. In addition to being a personal trainer, I have my MS in Health Promotion and Education and am a certified health and wellness coach. I agree with Karen that most clients know what their destructive eating habits are and what choices would be better for them.

I, too offer resources such as apps, but I find that most people need help with identifying strategies for making lasting lifestyle changes. I am hesitant to recommend government resources like My Plate, because I do believe this is greatly influenced by politics. I saw it first hand in my public health work. I ask questions, offer a variety of resources, and allow the client to determine what path to take. This to me is more coaching than training, but they naturally go hand in hand. Understanding behavior change and guiding clients through that process is what I mostly do.

If someone wants/needs specific meal plans I find it best to refer to a specialist who can calculate and provide more specific plans.

I keep it simple, through my ISSA training I try to assess what, my clients eat, when they eat and how much they eat. Then gauge if they are on a solid strength and cardio training program. But most important for me, I have built some solid relations with individuals and groups how have a solid foundation in nutrition and BMR (Basil Metabolic Rate) counseling.

Don't forget, developing a referral program with experts in other area's of nutrition are just as valuable as if you tried to take on the whole task yourself.

I've found that a good way to remain within a personal trainer's scope of practice is to provide a client with direct sources whenever possible. That is, if I find a helpful nutrition article in my IDEA Fitness Journal or a new study from another reputable source, I'll keep a copy in my office. This way I can give general recommendations based on MyPlate and my ACE Personal Training Manual, but I can also point to legitimate research when giving more specific advice. (For instance, info on pre- or post-workout nutrition, nutrient timing, pitfalls of fad dieting etc.) I don't present the information as my own and I also preface the conversation with "I am not a nutritionist..."!

With all of the supposed nutritional information available, contraposed with all the advertising claims, it's truly a difficult challenge to a personal trainer to help clients understand the basics of a healthy nutritional lifestyle. I typically refer clients to the basic tenants of the American Dietetics Association (ADA.) I like Sara's suggestion to refer your clients to reputable sources of information.

Take care.