In 2010, one in three adults were advised by their medical professional to diet and exercise to improve their health. However, only three in 10 adults get the recommended amount. Where are they? Are they in your club? Some probably are, but the majority most likely are not making the kinds of healthy behavior changes their doctors prescribed.
As a health and fitness professional, it is really hard to grasp what the disconnect is. If you have medical issues that can be treated with lifestyle changes, why wouldn’t you follow that path with the least amount of resistance? Too many patients would rather take a pill with possibly serious side effects than make the effort to diet and exercise. I guess that is just human nature, but intellectually, it seems like a really poor choice.
There have been many times when I have questioned a new client about medical conditions when they told me they didn’t have any. However when they list their medications, they will be taking a blood pressure medicine and a cholesterol lowering drug. Their explanation is that their conditions are under control with meds, therefore, they do not have a medical issue! Really!?
So why aren’t more people opting for weight management programs at a nearby health club? One possible answer is this. I asked a personal training client of mine who has certain medical issues that could be improved or eliminated with a different diet, if she would do my weight loss program if it was covered by insurance. Her answer was a prompt “yes!” Aha!
I realize cost is an important issue. It is great to have someone else pay for your remedy. In this case, the someone we are talking about is health insurance companies. But you or your employer may be paying health insurance premiums, or you and others are paying taxes for Medicare. And this kind of medical treatment for what is essentially a lifestyle problem for many people is what keeps our healthcare costs escalating.
What would convince a member that paying for a weight loss program at your club is preferable to being on medications? One argument might be that if they are spending their hard-earned dollars on co-pays for their lifetime, wouldn’t they rather spend that money on a plan that would permanently eliminate those costs?
Another way to overcome objections would be to discuss the possible side effects of the drugs versus the benefits of eating healthy and exercising. Sounds like a “no-brainer” to me! Could you make a good case for alternative health solutions at your club? Try proposing such a “daring” solution to the next member you approach and see if it works!
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.
