If you’re pursuing a career in fitness, many of your clients will understand that exercising is not the only part of reaching their fitness goals. Knowing what to eat in order to maximize their results may be a challenge for your future clients. The media presents a host of misinformation and contradictory messages that can cause confusion for anyone who is new to fitness.Â
That being said, nutrition is a sensitive topic for many of us, and after training, you’ll want to provide information that helps your clients achieve their goals without causing harm to their physical or mental health. If you’re wondering what that might look like, keep reading for some helpful tips on how you can effectively advise clients about nutrition!Â
1. Help Alleviate Confusion With Personalized AdviceÂ
Throughout your personal training career, an individualized approach will help you set yourself apart. As mentioned, there’s a lot of information about nutrition out there. To avoid any confusion, try to hold off on offering advice until you’ve gathered enough information about your client’s unique goals, challenges, and strengths. This way, you’ll ensure that the advice you’re giving will empower them to reach the right outcomes–instead of shooting for goals that are imposed by societal pressures. You’ll also prevent information overload this way, which will be a helpful practice to keep in mind throughout your career after fitness and health training.Â
2. Be Sure to Advise Clients on the Importance of ProteinÂ
Incorporating more protein into the diet is beneficial for most of the common fitness objectives you’ll come across as a personal trainer. All cells in the body contain protein, and in order for our cells to function and regenerate properly, we need to ensure that we feed our bodies enough protein-rich food. Sufficient protein intake can increase muscle mass, strengthen bones, boost metabolism, and help the body regenerate after injury. Try educating your clients on protein-rich foods, perhaps suggesting credible resources and sharing easy, nutritious recipes.Â
3. Acknowledge the Importance of Carbs to NutritionÂ
That’s right! Carbs have gotten a bad reputation over the years, but they’re actually an essential part of a healthy diet. Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of energy, and they’re necessary for fuelling the body during workouts. In fact, 45-65% of a healthy diet is made up of carbohydrates, and they’re present in a variety of healthy foods such as legumes, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. After fitness and health school, many of your clients may have the idea that carbs are harmful to them due to fad diets and misinformation. This could limit the results they want to see.Â
4. Suggest Simple Lifestyle Changes After Fitness and Health Training
Suggesting simple lifestyle changes is an excellent way to get your clients started on the right track. Trying to make drastic changes all at once is overwhelming for most people. If you’ve ever succeeded at the goal your client is pursuing, feel free to use your personal experiences to share helpful tips. This will also help you build a trusting, supportive rapport with them. In the Fitness and Health Certificate Program at Medix College, you’ll learn how to evaluate the needs of your clients, develop fitness programs, demonstrate proper technique, and much more.Â
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