Nicolette Roberts

American Fitness, Sept, 2000

As a physical therapy assistant (PTA), Nicolette Roberts was frustrated with the number of patients she saw coming back with the same complaints for which they had initially been treated. Most of these complaints could have been prevented or resolved if the individuals had been given the tools to make necessary lifestyle changes.

Many of the people Roberts saw were suffering from ailments perpetuated by poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Others lacked the motivation to follow through with therapy once they were discharged from her care, assuming that the allotted time given by their insurance companies would be all that was needed for a proper recovery.

Roberts decided she needed to do more for her patients. She soon happened upon an ad in one of her professional magazines for the AFAA Fitness Practitioner[R] (AFP) Certification. She felt that obtaining this certification would lift the boundaries imposed on PTAs and provide her the opportunity to treat her patients in a holistic manner, which she believes is essential for prevention and recovery.

Roberts completed the AFAA course and started her own business, The Body Balance. The cozy setting of rocking chairs and northern wood country charm is where she meets the clients and conducts individual assessments for exercise, nutrition and stress management. Sessions are 1 hour long and can be done by the day, week or month.

In the first session, Roberts asks many questions to determine the client's current lifestyle. Together, she and her client formulate a program for changing health habits by introducing exercise programs designed with the client's personal health issues in mind. Nutrition, according to Roberts, is a matter of education and an awareness of the individual's metabolism and reactions to food consumed. She does not use the word "diet," as it immediately provokes a response of deprivation; consequently, nutrition is seen as a punishment. Roberts tries to help clients maintain a positive attitude toward self-change. For stress management, she incorporates massage and breathing techniques into a patient's lifestyle.

Roberts has also founded a walking club where she gives opening instruction hints, guidelines to follow and closing stretches. She has taught "Get Fit" classes at the local college and had been invited to do so next year. In addition, she speaks to a variety of local organizations on a number of topics concerning health issues and participates in conferences for women as a featured speaker. Roberts also contracts to Radtke Physical Therapy, Home Health Agency.

As a pioneer AFP in northern Minnesota, Roberts continues to experience an exciting journey, filling a void in a community where access to health clubs and general health information is sometimes not an option. She would like to thank AFAA for giving her the education and "push" to do something which she feels so strongly about.

The AFAA Fitness Practitioner[R] (AFP) is AFAA's highest level of certification--a degreed professional dedicated to providing a full range of fitness education services such as assessment, nutritional education and one-on-one training and counseling. For more information regarding prerequisites and course curriculum, call (800) 446-2322, ext. 231.