How to handle a client who thinks they know more than you?
I recently aquired two new clients, both overweight, and spent over 2 hours assessing them, calculating their BMRs, and recommending a caloric range for both.
For one of them I recommended between 1500 and 1750 calories for an average weight loss of 1-2 lbs a week if she exercises. She changed her caloric intake to 1200 in the program, chose to eat 600 calories for a few days, then stopped logging her meals altogether. The other client was staying within his caloric range but ate very low ND foods such as white pasta, pancakes, and processed meats. I asked him to incorporate one fruit, vegetable, or side salad a day. He chose to ignore me for 3 weeks and then his calories jumped way above his recommended intake. I know you can’t win every battle, but I feel like I am losing these two and maybe it is not my battle to fight. How would you handle these two situations?
Linda,
I found this information in the ACE Personal Trainer Manual particularly helpful. It’s in the chapter entitled “Principles of Adherence and Motivation” under the subtitle “Role Clarity.”
It states:
“From the beginning of the relationship with each client, a personal trainer should clarify his or her role, as well as that of the client, as part of the written agreement. What are the responsibilities and expectations of both parties? What does each person need to do to hold up to his or her end of the deal? This information should be written down and agreed upon. If there are any issues or questions about the expectations, they should be discussed and modified from the start. This task is not difficult or time-consuming, but it is something that will help the client be vested in the program and feel supported, as well as maximize the client’s experience and likelihood for adherence.”
I hope that gives you some food for thought.