Fitness failure? OR Wrong person, wrong time?

 

We all FAIL at times in our lives. We get things wrong, getting things wrong is how we learn and improve.

BUT what is what went wrong really wasn't your fault? Even though you ultimately feel responsible.

I know that I have a successful business, and my clients are either still with me, or they are making their own way in fitness having learned all they needed to from me and are going it alone.

BUT, in a way, with a few clients, I feel that I have failed, because they didn't continue their fitness journey with me, or anyone else, they didn't continue at all. There was only one client that I walked away from because I knew for sure that they were getting nothing from the sessions, they didn't like putting in the work and moaned about sweating! I couldn't sustain it and maintain my integrity as a trainer.

I wasn't quitting as such when I walked away, I was just being realistic, I was certain that I could not make a difference to someone who didn't want to change.

All the clients that have stopped with me had a similar thing going on, but they left me. This is what I found.

- They started because it was someone else's idea for them to start, maybe a worried spouse or friend.

- They felt guilty for being overweight and unfit, but didn't want to change their lifestyle.

- Pressure from GP's and other health professionals have made them do it.

- They DO NOT want to change!

And this last one is the reason that they do not stick with it. There are endless excuses, such as, 'I don't have time.' 'I'm injured.' 'I'm sick, I have an illness that prevents me not putting cake into my mouth!' I have heard them all, all the excuses, and there are none! I once trained a dedicated client one Christmas holiday who had a debilitating knee injury and pneumonia and still did her session!

The naysayers come out with the following.

- Why should I give up alcohol?

- Why can't I eat cake or chocolate every day?

- I love going out for dinner twice a week.

- I have to have my weekly takeaway, it wouldn't be the same just once a month.

- I can't get through a stressful day without snacking.

- Crisps aren't that bad are they anyway?

- It's my hormones! (I'm saving this for another blog!)

They say, 'but these things make me feel good! They help me enjoy my life, help me deal with stress, so why should I give them up?

Well, the fact is, those things, the food and drink that you are grasping on to for hope, is actually doing the opposite to you. Those things are poisoning your mind and body, leading to depression, obesity, diabetes, cardiac issues and cancer.

BUT, try and tell someone that is deep in that a long walk and a fresh salad will make them feel better! It doesn't work, they won't believe you.

THIS is where my battles lie. 

THIS is where I should be trusted.

I should be trusted to know my job, for the benefit of all my clients, and this is also where I get offended because my clients don't listen to me and won't trust me.

They think they know better, and their stubbornness won't allow them to change.

I guess this is really where different personality types come into play. 

Are you stubborn in other parts of your life?

Are you unwilling to accept the opinions and reasons of other professionals?

Would you argue with a surgeon, bank manager or dentist?

Why do people not trust me enough?

There was an old joke, and probably still is, about personal trainers, working in a gym because they didn't pass their GCSE's! I like to think I can't be labelled like that, I may be silly, but I'm not stupid. 

I am educated, I am qualified in ALL aspects of my business, I CAN be trusted, and I DO care.

BUT, I have to admit defeat occasionally, now knowing that it is NOT ME, I'm not the issue, it's the client stopping progress, it's a deep-rooted ignorance and stubbornness that stops a healthy path.

BUT, I will keep trying, because I hate to give up on people, helping them is what I'm passionate about, and I am also exceedingly stubborn!

Have you ever had to let a client go for a similar reason?

How do you deal with work-related rejection?