Make a positive connection - Personal Training - by giving obese clients the support and confidence to achieve their goals

American Fitness, Sept-Oct, 2002 by Jennifer Klein

Ten years ago, I did something that required tremendous courage--I joined a gym. This action required courage because I was obese. Few personal trainers can relate to the fear I experienced. To an obese individual, a gym is quite possibly the most intimidating place on earth.

A person qualifies as obese if he or she has a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. About 61 percent of American adults are overweight or obese, a percentage that represents approximately 107 million people. Obesity is second to smoking as an underlying condition in vascular and pulmonary diseases, stroke, osteoarthritis, joint disease, menstrual irregularity, infertility, malignancies, diabetes and has been specifically targeted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is mounting a public awareness campaign to prevent the doubling of the obesity rate, which is projected to occur within the next 25 years.

While obesity can be treated with diet, exercise and behavior modification, a lack of confidence undermines the efforts of most of the obese population. According to a report released by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLB), "Only as a patient moves along a continuum from doubt to confidence ... is he or she prepared to meet the challenges associated with obesity."

A lack of confidence was responsible for the intense fear I felt the day I walked into that gym. How could I even think of becoming a gym member? At the time I joined, I was 5'2" and weighed nearly 200 pounds--not exactly the body type seen in the gym's television ads. Those ads featured "ideal" bodies: women in skimpy, spandex workout gear and men with rock hard abs. Where did someone like me fit into this picture?

Three months earlier, I made a commitment to get fit. I took the first steps toward my goal by starting a five-minute, five day a week walking routine. It was a slow beginning, but walking was something I could do. I hoped even the smallest success would bolster my confidence. After three months of following my program, I signed up to a gym.

My gym membership included a consultation with a personal trainer. When I met Julie, I expected her to be judgmental and intimidating. However, I was relieved to find her friendly and sensitive to my nervousness. She patiently explained the procedure: First, I would warmup on the stationary bike. Then, we would stretch and she would set up a basic strength-training program for me. We'd build from there.

I began to feel more comfortable. As Julie led me to the bike, my spirits rose. Within three months, I had gone from a very minimal, five-minute walking schedule to 40 minutes of walking, five days a week. I had made great progress and felt confident.

Julie asked if I had ever used a stationary bike. "No," I answered. "I've never used exercise equipment." "Okay," Julie said. "I'll start you on level one for 12 minutes." That didn't sound threatening. After all, I could walk for 40 minutes. How difficult could 12 minutes of beginner-level biking be? My question was quickly answered--after only three minutes, I was struggling desperately. How discouraging! Being new to exercise, I didn't know biking would require using muscles in ways I had not used them before.

Gasping, I had to stop. I felt like a failure. My three months of hard work meant nothing. To make matters worse, Julie reacted with disbelief. "Only three minutes? Were your legs burning that much? I set you on the lowest level, you can't quit already."

How had I so drastically overestimated my progress? If I had known then what I know now--having maintained a 80 pound weight loss for over eight years--I would have shared some valuable insights with Julie:

* Julie, I am obese. I am starting this exercise program with a handicap--I am carrying 80 extra pounds.

* I'm extremely self-conscious and have a gnawing fear I won't succeed. I need your help to build my confidence. Convince me I can do it.

* Teach me to trust you.

* In the beginning, set small goals for me so I can experience the exhilaration of success. Don't draw attention to my failures--focus on my accomplishments, no matter how small.

* Don't judge me.

Julie meant well. Like most trainers, she brought a high level of enthusiasm to her job. Trainers want their clients to experience the "rush" an energetic workout can provide. With most beginning exercisers, momentum builds quickly and the trainer soon sees progress. However, an obese client requires a high level of patience and more than the typical amount of encouragement and time.

Due to a lack of confidence, an obese client often does not have the courage to speak up. Once I began pedaling, I couldn't tell Julie I couldn't do 12 minutes. How would she react? My guess is she would have tried to pump me up by saying, "Yes, you can! You can handle 12 minutes, anybody can!" The truth is, not everyone can!

This demoralizing episode could have easily resulted in me giving up my weight loss goals. However, I didn't because I had many positive influences in my life--a wonderful family and supportive friends who believed in me. What if I hadn't had that advantage? Would I have had the courage to return to the gym? Probably not.