I am a trainer at a gym- I got 75 lbs off one of my clients her progress started to plateau @ 4 weeks ago so I implemented some new techniques made adjustments in her diet that should get things moving again EXCEPT she has not actually done any of the changes I ve asked her to make. Meanwhile in the last week 2 other customers have come up to me about her- one said Kerry was telling me how upset she is that no more weight is coming off the other said Kerry told me that its not moving... she s so mad I am pissed- 1st, I cannot discuss the details of her progress w/ anyone so I cannot make the point that she is not using any of my advice... I just feel like she s making me look bad! Ive built my clientele based on my good reputation- should I ask her what she s telling people why?
Common, talk to her. Ask her what s the matter, why she s telling people all those things she s been telling. Listen to her closely, take time to have her things sink in you, and then think of possible ways to resolve. Talk to her as calmly as possible.No problem won t be resolved when you re gonna talk it out..
Of course you should discuss this with her in a non-confrontational manner. Perhaps by saying that you have noticed that the changes you suggested are not working and seeing if other changes can or should be implemented. This will give her a chance to own up that she has not followed through on the regimen you laid out. If this doesn t work, then stronger methods may be necessary.
I think anyone with 1/2 a brain understands how weight loss works. You can not lose the weight for the person, only train them on the most effective ways to do it for themselves. If she truly blamed you, then why is she still with you? You may not be able to discuss her progress, or lack there of, with anyone but you can stress the fact to all members that your job is a trainer . Trainers train people on how to do things, and you do this with all your clients. Results will vary as you can not control what people then do with the training that is provided. If I win a gold metal in boxing, it does not insure that anyone or everyone I train will win one.I would use it to my advantage. There are many who think that trainers are not worth the money. Sure anyone who is extremely overweight will lose a lot of weight their first week. Most of it is liquid and coming from doing no exercise to doing it on a daily basis. It is week 2, and other plateau marks, where the trainer becomes worth their weight in gold. The average person will eat even less thinking they will lose more and then fail. It is your expertise that knows it is the complete opposite, and you actually want to eat more to lose more.
I wouldn t confront her about it, but it s definitely worth asking her point blank if she s implemented the changes and reminding her that while she s put in a lot of effort and seen a lot of change already that her continued success requires her continued dedication. A reminder that she s only going to get the most out of your help if she continues to put in the effort is certainly in order. She also needs to understand that she s made a lot of progress so stop and applaud her efforts so far, and remind her that sometimes plateaus are just another hurdle of weight loss and you need to work together to get through this. You don t have to be confrontational or lay blame to help her understand that it s her efforts that are stopping her from losing more weight at this point. Maybe your suggestions so far haven t been something she feels she can do, or she has a reason for not doing them (valid or invalid).As for the bad publicity she s giving you, I wouldn t worry. Keep reiterating with her (and all your other clients), that while you re there to provide all the guidance she wants, ultimately she s the one doing all the hard work and it s her efforts that will make this a success - and her lack of effort which could slow her down as well.