How to spot a "good" nutritionist, or trainer

aelunyu

I got some really great feedback about my post a whiles back, and figured I would address some of the common themes that were posed via PM. The first (and easiest) sort of thing that came up is how to find someone who can help you, in real life, face to face, and without alternate agenda....besides what is rightfully owed for their services.

Here is a primer, if anyone is interested, in how to find a nutritionist/trainer. I am not talking about the random bro-science meatheads...or the annoying gym nerd who'd rather tell you about the role of mitochondrial ATP rather than how many sets and reps you should do.

First, the problem with most nutritionist/dieticians/trainers/gurus:

They have to work off of billable hours or sessions (or dvds sold) to generate income. This in itself is counteractive to incentive in the long term, especially when dealing with a client that is underwhelmed by their previous results. If I were a nutritionist that banked my rent on your ability to be sold on my program, I'd have to be a damn good salesman. I'd have to convince you you're losing weight, or at least on the right track long enough for you to pay me a down payment. See the problem here?

Much of the same problem has surfaced in the scientific literature regarding weight loss and performance nutrition. Sometimes, entire research journals go without peer review, and are industry sponsored. When your diet pill company is hiring scientists to do tests on their diet pill, you know something is wrong. And yet, many people reference these articles without looking for the faults in their design or the *****s in the study parameters. Yes, science can be painted in a rosy picture for you to absorb, so you'll buy what science may sell. Science, irresponsible science, is a great marketing tool.

So if you are indeed considering professional help, here are the trademarks of a good nutritionist/personal trainer:

1. They take on a very limited number of new clients per year. (under 5, I would say)

This is true because good trainers tend to retain clients for a long time. Just because our 8 week period is over, doesn't mean we've lost touch with clients. Just the opposite, infact. Good trainers build relationships that last. Good relationships must not be neglectful. Too many clients = neglect.

2. They do not rely on nutritional/training advice as their primary source of income.

A lot of trainers are going to fight me on this. And they may be right. But my experience in the field is this: if you are waiting for your clients checks to come in the mail so you can make ends meet, you are likely to exploit weaknesses in them to get bigger checks. This is not a knock on trainers. I know quite a few of great ones. But they all have either primary or supplemental income to support their lives as a trainer trying to genuinely help. A trainer that is bogged down by financial insecurity cannot be an effective one. The same goes for nutritionists (unless you have a stable job under an MD, or as a part of a medical partnership). And a word for the young guys/gals out there. If you are trying to make a fortune as a fitness expert, you might as well audition for a role in Hollywood. Or play for a spot in the NFL. The trainer that baristas at the Starbucks to support their training business is one you can trust.


3. They openly and honestly reject applications for help.

That seems contradictory, but hear me out. We usually know when someone is "primed" for training. Just like a hypnotist knows whether his or her subject is open to suggestion. We cannot suggest lifestyle changes and other fairly rigid implementations without knowing that there is some degree of trust established between the client and us. Compliance, as most trainers and nutritionists will tell you is 90% of the game. Compliance is the holy grail. If a client is ready to comply, we are ready to offer the fastest and safest route to their goals. If they are wishy washy and lackluster in their efforts, we've wasted our energy, they've wasted their money. This is a scenario that we all want to avoid. Which leads me to the next point:

4. A good trainer or nutritionist will engage with you in a fairly long and arduous trial period.

Yes. I want to know everything about you. And when I'm on the fence, I need someone from your family or friends to be your Brutus. To keep you honest. I love it when i can find the kid that tattles on their mom about what they had for dinner. Or the husband that is willing to train with us in our sessions. I love it when family gets involved, and family does not get involved until you've seen that the person advising you is someone you can trust. That, naturally, takes quite a bit of time. Which is also why, a good helper will never charge you for this trial. Simultaneously, he or she will be making a decision as to whether you are committed to a different life or just trying to drop 10 pounds for a wedding photo. The latter, of course needs no instruction at all, rather just a very extreme approach to dieting...which I would like to stay far away from.

5. Lastly, an adviser will never take your money if they have not given you results.

It is your job to be committed and honest and compliant. It is our job to see when you are not. If we take on a client with the above 4 assumptions in place, it should mean that we are confident that they are mentally and emotionally ready for such a task. If we do not produce results under the firm and rigid implications of above, we have failed. And in any skill-based industry, our failure to product results renders our services unbillable. (Of course, this is much easier to do if you have a day job). It is, however, what I believe in.

I'd like to think that I've had alot of success over the years. Obviously I pick my battles and train the people I believe to be receptive. That's not a cop out. It's just being honest. If someone is going to promise to eat only 1900 calories a day then goes home and scarfs down a pizza, I will feel betrayed, he or she will feel guilty, and we will have accomplished nothing.

Saying that, I personally no longer dabble in personal training or nutrition advice. I will answer your PMs, as quickly as I can, but I do have a job, that keeps me fairly busy for 11 hours a day. I am here merely as someone who can offer suggestions and critiques, if need be.

Thanks for listening, again!

Bethbr00tality

I got lucky, I'm marrying one, haha. And he hasn't even tried to make me a meal plan or set up an exercise routine for me. Know why? All I want to do are ellipticals & eat boxes of cookies. He knows that it's still a losing battle at this moment. That said, those boxes of cookies are getting less & less and there are some big, inspiring changes coming in our life this week. =]