Many of the headlines in the health and science sections of the news have to do with nutrition, especially how nutrition can control many risk factors that contribute to diseases. Some examples are “An Apple a Day May Keep Stroke at Bay” and “Plant-rich Diet Tied to Lower Breast Cancer Risk”.
The message is clearly that better food choices can alter the health outcomes for so many individuals. The focus here should be on the word “choice.” For many members, making good food choices is a real challenge.
When talking about choices, I like to help clients differentiate between their behaviors and the resulting outcomes. Often, when asked to set goals, most people will state outcomes over which they really have little control, such as, “I want to lose 10 pounds.” That’s an outcome based on many possible behaviors over which they do have control.
So if I were to ask that client, “How are you going to lose 10 pounds?” they might say, “I will eat breakfast every day.” That’s a behavior they can control and for which they can be held accountable.
With control comes responsibility. When you hold someone responsible for their behavior, they are not only accountable, but they also can gain control over that behavior.
In our clubs we are eager to create retention by offering programs that keep members coming back for more. We create exercise programs that require participants to show up two to three times per week. Our hope is that the person will eventually make that behavior a habit that they enjoy and will commit to for some time.
We can create the same consistency with nutrition, once we empower each person with the idea that they are in control of all their own choices. The way to do that is through education. Education is the only way to relay the message that we as fitness professionals are capable of providing the guidance and support for change.
What we want is for members to read those headlines and turn to their health club for assistance. When we have information displayed in the club and present classes about disease prevention through nutrition, we establish ourselves as mentors. Then, we can help clients change their behavior.
The long-term benefit of good food choices along with regular exercise is a powerful message to bring to your members. Take the time to advertise your nutrition classes in terms of disease prevention. Find science articles that explain these benefits and distribute them in your club. Act assertively in the role of health mentor so that members will seek you out for solutions to their health concerns.
Judith Samuels, M.A. is a certified nutrition and wellness consultant and master personal trainer at Sport&Health Clubs in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. She can be reached via e-mail at judi@judisamuels.com.
