How often do you speak to your clients about nutrition? I’ve recently decided to really dive into my intake and outtake to get an accurate understanding of why my body does certain things.
For me, it all started a couple of weeks ago. I do a lot of high intensity interval training (HIIT). Around the middle of the week, I felt a little sluggish and wasn’t sure why. From growing up with a mother as a nurse/nutrition freak, and working in the fitness industry, my first two thoughts were my sleep patterns and my intake.
I’m pretty sure that my output is in a good place. I’m in the gym doing cardio and a HIIT circuit five days a week, with a TRX session during the weekend. I typically get around eight hours of sleep, so my only thought was my intake.
My wife and I typically eat extremely healthy as it is. She’s always been into proper nutrition, and I’m typically open to learn. I finally started keeping track of my intake, being completely honest with myself and counting all the numbers. My first thought has been: “Did you realize how hard it is to eat healthy and consume enough good calories?”
I guarantee that your members struggle with what to eat regularly. When I realize I’m not consuming enough, I think of good ways to consumer more — more fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. However, many new people new to fitness and healthy nutrition aren’t aware of what “good” is.
Counting calories needs to be more than just jotting down what one person ate at each meal. It needs to be a time of self-reflection. Will it hurt to remember that you had a few too many cookies one night? Sure, but if you don’t be true to yourself, then you are simply wasting the time and effort it takes to keep track and count.
Your members will only understand what you tell them. If you tell them they have to consume more to keep their metabolism up, they won’t really understand what that means. Does that mean one more cheeseburger? Does that mean four more cans of tuna? Should I eat two servings of chips before bed?
You need to be precise with your members, just as you are about their exercising. If you are going to tell a member to keep their back straight when they are squatting, why wouldn’t you explain a good diet?
I know, you’re not a nutritionist, but wouldn’t you say that you eat well? What’s wrong with dropping a “this is what I do” moment? Spend time discussing your lifestyle. Let them realize that they don’t need to be just like you, but what you do works, and can be helpful to them in their daily intake.
This counting is great. Monday I know the calories, protein, carbs and fat I consumed. I know that I felt great all day. Yesterday, throughout the day, I didn’t consume enough calories, and felt sluggish when I got home. Today it’s another adjustment, focusing on my intake and outtake.
What tips do you have for keeping track of your fitness and diet? What ideas do you have for conveying good tips to members and clients when you may not have a dietitian or nutritionist on board?
Tyler Montgomery is the editor of Club Solutions Magazine. Contact him at tyler@clubsolutionsmagazine.com.
