Worst Fitness Tips: What Not to Say


“If I can do it, you can do it.”

You’ve heard this fitness advice. Maybe you even said the words yourself.

(Shepherd raises his hand.)

And it’s time for that cliché to end.

Especially when it comes to fitness, nutrition and health.

Because most of the time:

This is not true.

Just because You you can do something does not mean someone else I can do it.

More importantly, this phrase has the opposite effect, making people feel worse than before.

That’s why the fitness tips you may want to offer instead.

++++

When we use this fitness advice, we usually have the best intentions.

Maybe we’re trying to contact a customer, “Hey, I’ve been there!”

Or maybe we are inspired by a lot of news. Think: The blind man climbs Everest.

But there is a problem.

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No two people are exactly alike.

As coaches, we might think we are comparing apples (our lives) to apples (our client’s lives). But more likely ours the customer knows it is an orange… and feels misunderstood and alienated – usually for one (or all) of the following reasons.

# 1: Someone’s experience affects their health.

Things like where we were born, how we grew up, and what we do for a job shape the way we eat, move, and live. They also affect our ability to change for the better.

Technically, these factors are called social determinants of health. And they can affect us positively or negatively.

Examples of social determinants include:

  • Income
  • Education
  • Stability of work
  • Work conditions
  • Access to food and security
  • Housing and the environment
  • Early childhood development
  • Social community
  • Surroundings of the neighborhood
  • Access to affordable and high quality health care

Social determinants can be More ▼ more important than choosing a lifestyle to impact health, according to World Health Organization.

Here’s how this can happen to customers.

You tell someone to go to the gym. If you can put in the effort to get to the gym on a busy schedule, so can your client, right?

Well no, not necessarily.

Especially if they work long hours and do not take care of children.

Or maybe offer “more vegetables” to a virtual customer.

You also don’t like vegetables, you say, but if You can find a way to eat them, your customer can certainly understand it. Except that your client lives with his mother-in-law, who cooks all their main dishes, which usually include some vegetables. At your customer’s home, everyone thanks the chef, whether they like the food or not.

Does your client have any options? Of course – but not as much as someone who has more control over their dinner plate.

There are thousands of ways in which the social determinants of health can make what is possible for you (with hard work) downright impossible (or much more difficult) for someone else. Some social determinants of health are really hard to recognize – especially if you haven’t been to that person’s place. So pay attention to this universal rule: Don’t make assumptions.

# 2: Every person’s body is unique.

Assume that you and your client have the same social circumstances.

Is it okay to say, “If I can, so can you?”

Spoiler warning: No.

Because genetics also play a role.

Say that you are a person who easily builds muscle. For you, maintaining a slim, athletic physique means working hard in the gym and watching your diet closely.

Of course, these two things require effort. Maybe a lot of effort.

But a person who has a harder time building muscle and tends to store fat around his environment thanks to his genes?

They will not get the same results as you – even if they eat and exercise in exactly the same way. These are the genetic maps that have been given to them.

So no –they can’t “do it” just because you can.

# 3: Some people are more lucky than others.

Most people who have worked hard to get to where they are don’t want to admit that the universe may have helped them a little.

Imagine this: You are an athlete competing in CrossFit Games.

The last workout – the one that decides who wins – is focused on deadlift, something you’re particularly good at. (If he had been abducted, the situation would have been very different.)

When you win CrossFit Games after your last workout, it doesn’t mean you haven’t worked hard. But did you also benefit from the luck of the draw? Hmm.

Perhaps a more relevant example: You may have met a coach or friend – just when you’re ready to make a change – who is revolutionizing the way you think about nutrition and fitness. And that puts you on the path to a healthier lifestyle.

In an alternate universe where you haven’t met this amazing coach at the right time, it may have taken you much longer to get to what you are today.

Question: Do not rule out the effect of “the right place, the right time.”

3 better ways to help your customers

Use all three together – or choose what works best in a conversation.

1. Use limited connectivity.

Let’s say someone is going through a divorce, and their coach has experienced one too. It can be tempting to offer tips like:

“I know this is a difficult time for you. My divorce was brutal! But I managed to stick to my diet as I went through mine, so I know you can do it. ”

Aww.

There is a better way to use the overall customer experience, without make assumptions about their situation.

Is called limited connectivitywhich helps you connect while allowing your customer to feel heard and understood.

To master the technique, use this simple two-step formula.

Share your experience: “I know what [fill in the blank] looks like me. “
Take an interest in your client’s experience by asking an open-ended question: What does it look like for you? “

Translated into a real-life coaching conversation, you can say something like:

“It simply came to our notice then. When I struggled with overeating, I felt so powerless and frustrated. What are they You do you feel at this moment “

2. Notice and name the bright spot.

This strategy involves taking a moment to appreciate and applaud what your customer has just shared.

You can say:

“You know what? It actually takes a pretty incredible self-awareness to identify and acknowledge that this is a barrier for you right now. How does it feel to have such a firm understanding of your situation?”

Or maybe:

“We can talk about solving problems for a second, but before we do, I want to pause and tell you that it’s amazing that you mentioned this as a problem. I don’t know if you could have done this six months ago! ”

This can be really effective as the customer does not expect a break. They expect ways to move forward. You give them a moment to stop, take stock, and think about their splendor before taking action.

3. Inspire them with their own achievements.

Assume that your client is afraid of the idea of ​​switching off earlier to sleep more.

Instead of this old “if I can, you can,” try to highlight their past accomplishments. This may sound like this:

“You know what? You actually told me the exact same thing a few months ago about going to the gym. And now you’re going to go regularly! We can talk about specific strategies to make going to bed earlier more feasible, but also, remember how far have you come? ”

Basically, instead of saying, “If I can do it, you can do it,” you say, “If you can do this one thing, you can do this other thing!”

You show them that you see their hard work.

And most importantly, because of this hard work, you believe in them.

When you use the above strategies with your clients, you will achieve something that the phrase “If I can do it, so can you” simply cannot:

It will help them feel heard, seen and appreciated.

This will take a long way to strengthen your relationship – and ultimately help your customers achieve better results.

If you are a coach or want to be …

Learning how to educate clients, patients, friends or family members through healthy eating and lifestyle changes – in a way that is personalized for their unique body, preferences and circumstances – is both an art and a science.

If you want to learn more about both, consider Level 1 precision nutrition certification.



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