As individuals, we are all entitled to our own thoughts, opinions and beliefs. We don’t all have to agree with one another when it comes to topics such as politics, religion and health, however I do think it’s important that we at least have respect and show some common decency to each other, no matter how much we may disagree or differ in views on a subject or issue at hand. With that said, when it comes to the science of exercise and health, I’m viewed by many as somewhat of an expert in this field based on my many years of experience and knowledge I’ve gained while working within the fitness industry. So what I suggest and advise people to do to lose fat, build muscle and become overall more healthy and fit is always right…..right?
WRONG!
There is nothing I find more annoying then being told my someone else what I “should” do or “need” to do, especially when I have not asked this person for their help or for their advice. Whether the advice is good or bad, if it’s not asked, it’s generally not welcomed. I remain mindful of this when giving my own advice or offering suggestions to people, as I never want to be that person that offers unsolicited advice. Therefore I only offer my views and opinions when asked. With that said, I’m constantly asked questions with regards to training and diet, and I always try my absolute best to answer each question to the best of my ability. If there is an answer to a question that I don’t know, I simply tell the person that I don’t know the answer (and then go research and find out the answer myself shortly after).
When a client comes to work with us they do so with a reason that they need a change in their life. Whether that change is a body transformation, sports related, post-physical rehabilitation, or just an overall improvement in their health and quality of life, they have a purpose for seeking out our help. And as fitness professionals, it is our job to ensure that we provide this assistance in the most safe and effective ways possible. To do this, we rely on our education in exercise science and nutrition, gain an understanding of our client’s health history and current physical state, as well as our own experience with working with other clients on the gym floor for over the past decade. As much as I believe that both Megan and myself are some of the top trainers in our industry today, the fact remains that our training styles, and the ways that we approach diet and nutrition may not work for everyone. And that’s okay. As long as our clients are aware of this, there are no false hopes or promises made. We are honest and up front with all of our clients. We’re okay with telling them the things that they don’t always want to hear, and I believe that they respect us for this.
Our clients look to us to answer their health and fitness related questions and trust us that we will offer the best answers for their specific situation. We never tell our clients what they should do or need to do to get results. We tell them what we would do and how we would do it. Our clients are adults and therefore do not need us to hold their hands and tell them what to do with their lives. We can only give them the tools and resources needed to achieve their target training goals, it’s up to them to decide on how they use them or even if they choose to use them.
A common question I’m asked quite often by clients and friends in the gym, is why I don’t correct other people’s form when it’s obvious that they are doing a particular exercise wrong or that could be dangerous. Well, unless the exercise the person is doing is endangering the lives of others around them, I feel that it is not my place to step in. If a person doesn’t want my advice, then what gives me the right to give it to them? Absolutely nothing.
The reason I decided to write this blog this week is because lately I’ve been noticing more and more people on social media giving out bad and unsolicited advice and criticizing others who post their own exercise videos or photos of what they may view as healthy meals that they prepare for themselves and their families. Now granted if you are going to post anything online, you have to be prepared to be judged and criticized. But perhaps the judges and critics could be a bit more mindful themselves as to how they offer their views and opinions.
Remember, just because someone may not be as informed as you are on a particular subject does not give you the right to shame them or put them down. Nor does it give you the right to tell them that what they are doing is wrong or stupid. For all we know, perhaps that person doing a funny looking exercise in the gym has a certain physical limitation that prevents them from doing the exercise correctly. And maybe the person who drinks drinks diet pop does know that it’s not the best thing for them, however also knows that it helps curb their sweet tooth and therefore might actually be better for them then the alternative which in this case could be a full out sugar binge.
Nobody is perfect when it comes to training and nutrition. I myself heat my food in the microwave on daily basis. I’ve never once bought anything organic in my life. I sleep no more then 4-5 hours a night. I overtrain all the time. And unless someone cooks them for me, greens rarely, if ever, make an appearance on my dinner plate. I’ve been told for years by the people closest to me that I “should not” be doing any of these things and that I “should” be taking better care of myself. And yet, somehow after all these years, I’ve still managed to stay alive and remain in good health. I understand that many times this advice comes from a place of concern, however the fact of the matter remains, that if it’s not asked for, then it most likely won’t be received.
So a word to the wise to think twice before offering your advice or making a suggestion when you are not asked to do so. If you have an opinion about the way someone is living his or her life, raise your hand and then cover it over your mouth.
“Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing whether or not to say it”
Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit