What's the biggest obstacle to exercise for people who are overweight?

Hi Ingrid. This is a great question, and one with a multi-faceted answer. But since you asked for ONE obstacle, I'd say the biggest one if the overweight person's HEAD. Convincing themselves that they CAN and SHOULD do this (begin exercise that is) is a major first obstacle for most of the overweight clients I've worked with to get over (see my IDEA profile for one of my client's stories). It's tough enough for many overweight people to make that first call for help, and even once they have, staying convinced that they can do this can be an ongoing obstacle and battle that they have with themselves. Motivation, communication, compassion and patience are the keys to helping overcome this very real and very persistent obstacle.

I hope this helps.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com

I think in many cases it is the limitations on mobility and level of fitness that restrict their ability to exercise at a vigorous kcal/min. intensity. In combination with sensible diet, it's important that you emphasize patience. It takes a -3500 kcal balance (kcal in v. kcal out) to drop a pound of body fat. While the body fat loss will likely be slow for the first few months, the process will accelerate your clients fitness level and mobility improve. Your clients' program should definitely include c-v, strength and flexibility exercises.

Take care.

Hello Ingrid.

I'd be curious to know how you are defining "overweight."

I ask as the National Institutes of Health defines overweight as "a BMI of 25-29.9kg and obesity as a BMI over 30.

It is not possible to determine by sight an individual's BMI. It is possible to see if one is carrying excess adipose tissue. Too, if one measures for BMI how does a BMI classification of "overweight" correlate to an individual who finds it more challenging to exercise. Is it fair to say that because one is "overweight" he/she will find it more challenging to adopt a healthful lifestyle? I would say no. Is it fair to say that because an individual is overweight he or she has mobility issues? I would say no.

We have many examples in professional athletes who are "overweight" as defined by the NIH and are incredibly agile. C.C. Sabathia, linemen in football just to name a few.

What I believe is...

No matter how large or small, conditioned or deconditioned a client might be...

It is crucial to determine what stage of change the individual is in when it comes to adopting a new behavior.

Whoever it is, if they are resistant to change, it is simply because he/she is not ready. It has nothing to do with being overweight. The desire to change must come from the individual.

It doesn't make sense to beat a dead horse and dead horses come in all varieties--not only overweight.

I would suggest helping the individual find a personal compelling reason to change. A compelling reason that they own. A compelling reason that he/she can reflect upon that will motivate him or her to make gradual changes toward the goals that they design for him or herself with your assistance.

Thank you very much for your question.

Hello Ingrid,

I gather from your question, you are talking about people who have hired (you as) a personal trainer.

And unfortunately, just having a personal trainer is not enough, because the excess weight does not get lost. No matter how much guidance and advice we give, it is still incumbent on the client to follow through for all the other other hours of the week when they are not with us.

What I like to focus on is the progress that has already been made. Regardless of the fitness status at the beginning, even a very overweight person who has not lost a single pound is usually still better off with exercise than they were before. Having established a good baseline can help clients see the BIGGER picture and the value that exercise (and you as a trainer) has provided.

It is pretty difficult to take someone who is overweight or obese and have them start working out. That is like me taking someone who doesn't run and making them run a marathon. The progression in helping someone lose weight does not start with exercise. It begins with moving and more importantly reducing the sedentary time.

Fuel The Movement,
JM

I like your comment Jason.

"That is like me taking someone who doesn't run and making them run a marathon."

Once that person is finished running that marathon, they will never run again. Why? They were forced into it.

We as personal trainers can't make anybody do anything. If they do it, it won't be a permanent change. The individual must find a compelling reason for him/herself to run that marathon.

It is so important that we as personal trainers be able to identify precontemplators and develop strategies to gradually introduce them to movement. If we don't meet people where they are and effectively coach them according to where they present on that stages of change continuum, we will never make a dent in inspiring others to fitness.

Thanks for your post.

Hi Ingrid,

If we can only choose one, then I have to say it is the client and their relationship with food.

Food is the key to weight loss bottom line. People who are overweight and trying to lose weight cannot without controlling food intake. They can lose lots of inches, drop sizes, change body composition and lose a few pounds, but they wont reach there higher targets. Food is hard to deal with for most of my clients because they enjoy going out to eat, they work at home and eat out of boredom, some eat as a coping mechanism for stress and the list keeps going because everyone is different. Even with cheat days it is a major mental obstacle for them, because sometimes they may be the only one in their family trying to change their eating habbits and their significant other, children, parents etc. may not be supportive of it.

To motivate them to follow the nutrition plan I do a few things... After they get their nutrition outline and calorie goal, we set up a daily eating plan together based on their schedule. Develop preparation strategies if necessary like pack lunch the night before, buying appropriate snacks to leave at work or even making their own dinner. Let them have a cheat day so they feel as though they get a little reward for eating well, and they do not feel as though that eating well is a punishment.

TJ Booe
forceinmotion@yahoo.com
http://blog.ideafit.com/blogs/thomas-booe-jr

The first biggest obstacle I come across when training overweight clients is just getting them into the gym. They are self conscious of the way that they look and think everyone will be watching them workout. The second biggest obstacle is the damage they do outside of the 23 hours they are not in the gym. I can work them hard but if they are not willing to work hard outside of the gym then they are negating what they just accomplished with me. I am a big believer that they need to be keeping food journals. Love, The Daily Plate, as it keeps them accountable when they are not with me. The third biggest obstacle and should probably be the first is their emotions. Weight loss is a three point process, nutrition, exercise and the biggest would be their emotions. They need to learn to restructure their thought processes by the way of affirmations. Sort of like cognitive behavior. As trainers, we need to stay within our scope of practice so you might want to work closely with a cognitive behavior specialist. As a trainer I can teach them all they need but if they are sabotaging themselves with their thoughts they will sabotage the program.

In regards to keeping them motivated. I try not to make it about the scale but about how their clothes are fitting them. The scale lies but clothes getting bigger on you cannot. If they grow out of their clothes I will go shopping with them. If they have to go to a doctor and they are scared, I go with them. When it is their birthday, I try to remember it. They need to feel a level of trust with you and once you achieve that you will keep their attention. Also, don’t forget to make the sessions fun. I don’t mean have them flying around on bosu balls, I mean joke around with them. Try to make them realize that exercise can be fun!!

Getting started is probably the biggest obstacle, both physically and mentally. Getting and staying motivated requires their active participation; one has to commit fully to the multi-faceted process of losing weight and be prepared for the predictable ebbs and flows. Create a "dream team" of fitness professionals, dieticians, social support and watch the dream come alive!

Being truthful and realistic about their bodies is the biggest obstacle I have seen.
The biggest obstacle is starting.
I weigh and measure my clients and we then talk about real goals.
I also use my Fooducate app on my iPhone when we talk about food choices, if they have a smartphone they download this free app.

I have found that wearing a pedometor, or using a bodybugg, and or tracking by writing is fantastic and motivating.

Setting real goals is imperitive. One pound at a time.

I don't demand much load on overweight clients, I start with walking and basic moves such as bicep curls, lateral raises, rows with tubing. I don't have them get down on the ground if they are carrying alot of mass.

It is not difficult to get someone who is overweight and get them to exercise: if they want it, it can be done
Nobody is implying forced workouts!

I think the biggest obstacle is motivation. For alot of individuals that are overweight, yes they want to lose the weight but they sometimes become very unmotivated to do the work that is necessary to lose weight. They sometimes start off very enthusiastic but when the weight they are looking to lose doesnt come off in a week or two, they want to throw in the towel. That is where a personal trainer that understands where the client is coming from can step in a help motivate the client to continue the weight loss journey!

This is a great question and I would like to answer it from two different views 1) the client view and 2) the trainer view.

I myself have been one of those over weight people. I have to say that the hardest obstacle for me to over come during the time that I was starting to get in shape was figuring out what was causing me to be in active and always eating and the hardest part was convincing myself that I was able to take off the weight and that I would be happier once I lost the weight. After losing my weight I fond that workout was my new addiction in place of food so I became a personal trainer.

Since I became a personal trainer I have set out to specialize in training over weight clientele because I feel that I can empathize with their struggles. With my training of over weight clients I have found that the hardest obstacle over come as a trainer is to get the client past their excuses as to why they are skipping workouts and convincing them that they are able to lose their desired amount of weight and that we will work through it together.

Adherence is the biggest obstacle, education and the power to be a part of their own process helps tremendously

Hi Ingrid,

For me, most of the clients I have trained the biggest obstacles are- Making the client understand they need to eat to lose weight.(eating enought of the right foods) Most client with weight lost goals feel they need to eat less or even worest, stop eating. They think food is the enemy, when food is the answer. Once they understand how food can help with weight loss they are amazes. They are eating more then they ever have and losing weight twice as fast.
This is also a learning process for them and take some time to make their new way of eating a part of their lifestyle.

Exercise is the next key obstacles. I have found it's just the fear of the unknown. Once you educate your clients on what is the best exercise for them, they all seem to get on board with the program. Of couse all this comes from the trainers expert advice.


Best Success,

Mel

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