Client vent...
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| Tue, 10-26-2004 - 6:55pm |
I have another client who started training Monday who is very sweet but a real piece of work. She has a lot of weight to lose and she wants to lose it fast... about 75 pounds in 6 months. Of course, I tried to explain why this is both unrealistic and unhealthy and she listened to me but I'm not sure how much she really heard. I was able to talk her out of doing an Atkins-like diet and into doing Weight Watchers so that was one accomplishment. I just have a feeling this is going to be a hard case because she's so impatient and I think willing to do anything regardless of whether it's safe or not. People so often think "I'll lose the weight now and learn how to eat healthy when I'm done" and it's such deeply flawed thinking. It's frustrating for me because I made so many errors on my own (that I'm still paying for and I do tell my clients about it) that I hate to see others digging holes they will only have to claw their way out of later.
Thanks for listening.
Kel

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I could absolutely print out articles for the other client... but I think it's like a lot of things. People know that slow weight loss is healthier just like they know that fruits and veggies are good for you and packaged baked goods have essentially no nutritional value. It's a matter of truly listening because everybody thinks they will be the exception. This client knows that I know what I'm talking about and she's seen my before pictures. I keep telling her that I'm a living breathing example of weight loss mistakes that can be made. *shrug* She's purchased 14 one-hours with me and I forsee her putting off purchasing additional training packages and finally giving up and doing gastric bypass (or some similar surgery). I know that sounds bleak but I think she's far too impatient to do this healthfully and slowly...
Kel
It seems absolutely crazy to me that she'd expect you to put a program together, just in case it happened to match her back problems!
As for the other client, she purchased that because we had a special. :) She sees me 2x a week so it won't last her all that long.
Kel
i think you should talk to the doctor before doing the program. i don't think it is arrogant of the doctor to want to speak with you, i think it makes sense.
as far as the other client, it's frustrating, but i think eventually you'll learn not to get so emotionally invested in these situations. your client is not an atypical person, i'm sure there are plenty more where she came from. all you can do is do your best to lead her on a healthy path and beyond that, it's not your problem. all you can do is do your job, and she's going to take what you give her and do whatever she's going to do. you can't fix people, you can only educate and train them.
As far as the other client goes, I absolutely know that you're right. However, it's hard not to invest myself because this *is* a deeply personal issue for me. That's the core reason why I wanted to be a trainer. I take pride in caring about my clients but along with that pride comes some frustration... and apparently I was pms'ing yesterday which doesn't help anything. :)
Kel
Base any decisions/choices you make as a trainer on two things: your client's safety; your liability.
Good luck and take care.
Thanks for your thoughts. Very good suggestions and I'll definitely ask him why she's not being referred for physical therapy.
You are absolutely right about her safety and my liability. Those are the two things that have been on the forefront of my mind since this whole mess began. Thanks again.
Kel
As for him asking that he call you, look at it this way - you can contact him when its convenient for you. I've never been asked to call someone - I always insist on doing it. If he's unavailable, give a very specific time frame for him to return your call. This puts you on relatively equal footing w/ him, gives you some control in the situation and presents you as a busy professional whose time is as valuable as his - which hopefully will result in him treating you appropriately, not condescendingly.
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