Competing With what is “popular?”
I have a few different clients that I have been working with for a while now. During our sessions we get into conversations about nutrition and their, relatively deeply rooted, philosophy is based on the (mis)information from the different diet plans….paleo, low-carb, etc. etc. I try to present the evidence-based side of nutrition, but to no avail. What are some ways to get them away from the ideas of the well-marketed “popular” diets?
Hi Tim. Unfortunately, as you’ve correctly identified, there is tons of information (good and bad) out there in the public stream about nutrition and diet. In my opinion, all you can do as their trainer is provide the information that you feel is in their best interest. It’s truly up to each individual to use (or not) the information that you provide. I see one of our most powerful roles as a trainer is that of a ‘teacher.’ I teach and inform my clients in practically every session we work together on some aspect of fitness. Over time, they have come to respect my opinions and to follow much of my suggestions. But, I don’t fool myself into believing that what I’m offering is at best a ‘suggestion.’ That’s all we can do as their trainer, after all, they are adults with their own free will.
I hope that this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
Hi Tim,
while the search for the magic bullet is still on, you are fighting an uphill battle. The companies proposing such diets are in the business of making money of it, and the material they are providing always sounds very compelling. And often it is old wisdom repackaged.
As trainers, we have only so much control of what our clients do, and unless you suspect that they are actually doing themselves harm, you can only (listen, smile, nudge, inform) repeat.
Also: if a person truly believes that something will help ……. who knows. I’ll be happy for him. We should, however, lead by example and not fal linto those traps ourselves.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
It seems people are always looking for an easy way. That is how they become victims of their own intelligence. And, I tell them. And, I keep trying to educate them and, with respect, you may help some in that area. But, I have been training 30+ years and I must say with regard to food nutrition, the idea are becoming worse. Keep trying and good luck. Brian Rozzi
One thing I do from time to time is recommend they book a session with a nutritionist. I have one whom I can feel comfortable personally recommending. This is not in place of conversations I may have with someone, but it does take my ‘opinions’ out of the mix and let them have the option to speak with someone squarely trained in this area. They may say exactly what I would, but can do so in a way that may reach the person better.
As trainers we can share the nutritional guidelines and the latest “scientific research” to our clients.
My repetitive question for my clients is ” is it real food”?
We need to stay within our scope of practice and lead them to the truth with sound knowledge.
Paleo is not “new”, it’s the infiltration of Crossfit-which I still wonder about“.since as a fitness professional we are not suppose to give out “diets”