America’s obesity epidemic—what some jokingly refer to as
our collective battle of the bulge—is no laughing matter, particularly since
many of the diseases that plague Americans are directly related to growing
waistlines and unhealthy habits that have become the norm. With the national
obesity rate at 26.5 percent, and the percentage of overweight Americans
topping 60 and escalating, is there really anything one person—or one fitness
professional—can do to make a difference?
The answer, of course, is yes, but there isn’t a single,
sweeping gesture that will make the difference for society, a community or even
one individual. As anyone who has ever lost weight or improved his or her
lifestyle can tell you, it isn’t one single thing that makes the
difference—it’s the small, individual steps and changes that add up over time
that ultimately have the largest impact. On a daily basis, fitness
professionals have the opportunity to positively impact those within our sphere
of influence, which includes just about everyone with whom we come into
contact. In fact, the simple act of modeling healthy behaviors, something most
of us do without even thinking about it, can have a profound impact on those
seeking to improve their health and well-being.
But there is so much more we can do to help our clients
lose and maintain a healthy weight. In addition to setting a healthy example,
we also need to arm ourselves with the knowledge and skills to help people make
healthy changes that will last a lifetime. Rather than offering our clients and
participants promises and quick fixes, we can give them something infinitely
more valuable—the information, education and motivation they need to live
healthier lives.
Small
Steps, Big Rewards
The basic principle of weight loss is deceptively
simple—burn more calories than you consume—and yet putting this principle into
action is often anything but easy, particularly for those who are obese. With
their weight spiraling out of control, many obese adults feel hopeless, so they
don’t even begin the battle. Yet studies show even modest weight loss can begin
to alleviate the health problems associated with obesity. Instead of trying to
encourage your clients to make a radical transformation from obese to buff, use
the following tips to help your clients make small but significant lifestyle
changes that can make a big difference over time.
Food
and Portion Control
When it comes to food, it’s all about the two
“Q’s”—quality and quantity—and looking for opportunities to encourage clients
to choose whole foods vs. processed or prepared foods. This is the best advice
you can offer and you don’t risk veering outside the bounds of your scope of
practice as a fitness professional. You can also teach clients (whether or not
they struggle with weight) how to decipher food labels, how to distinguish
between good and bad fats, and the basics of how the body utilizes the
carbohydrates, fats and protein we consume.
And, of course, we need to continue to educate people
about portion control, because for many it’s not what they eat, it’s how much.
Food preparation is also key. We can provide education on food preparation and
the pitfalls of fried foods, sodium-laden dips and sauces, high-calorie snacks
and beverages loaded with sugar.
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