Have you ever lied to your coach or trainer? Have your clients ever lied to you? About what?
The most common lie told to trainers is probably from weight loss clients that are not losing weight, but say they are following their dieticians programming exactly. I try to get them to understand that I am not judging them when it comes to the process of lifestyle changes. The weight loss clients that eventually give up on telling me what they think they should and begin being totally honest, make the most progress eventually.
Hi Mike,
I think clients lie sometimes to avoid accountability. If they don’t acknowledge a problem, they don’t have to fix it. Part of our job, if we are coaches, should be to help them by offering some suggestions to their routine/behavior that will bring them closer to their goals. We have to meet clients where they are with their current state of mind in order for us to propel them forward.
It also depends on the client/coach relationship. Some clients are ashamed and will lie, others know they’ve slid off the program and confess because they feel a level of comfort in their trainer or coach.
Clients need to know it’s ok to make mistakes—that’s life.
Just my thoughts!
Best,
Christine