I would never call you fat....

Hello again everyone….and I hope you had a great Summer. That is, of course, despite the locusts, earthquake and hurricane…. Let’s hope the Fall is a little more calm.

As the owner of a fitness studio I get various trade publications. Last month I noticed an advertisement for a marketing agency. It pictured a woman with the caption, “Don’t Call Me Fat.” I imagine the message was that, to sell your studio’s services, you shouldn’t be aggressive in how you word your advertisements or talk to potential clients.

Well, I would never call anyone fat. It’s rude and insulting and it’s just not my way.

But…how do you get the message across to those that are “weight challenged” that they are literally killing themselves by being overweight and out of shape? Sometimes being politically correct just doesn’t get the job done.

I often get people coming into my Studios for information, especially in Williamsburg, that are 40, 50, 60 or even 100 pounds overweight. The typical scenario is that they have (or are on the borderline of) diabetes, have high blood pressure, have no energy and are on medications for all of the above, or more.

I don’t go house to house drumming up business; these people come to me supposedly for help. But when I try to provide a solution, and ask for a commitment, suddenly the tune changes. I have heard every excuse imaginable why someone cannot start a health and fitness program; so nothing is new or surprising to me or my wife.

What is sad is that I have come to realize that some people just can’t be helped. I know that, as a fitness professional, I probably shouldn’t feel that way but there is such strong evidence to back up my feelings.

Last month we began providing Free monthly Seminars in our Studio on healthy living and nutrition. Free!! Unfortunately we have had a very limited response. My wife thinks that part of the reason is because people probably think that these Seminars are a way to introduce our services. The truth is that our services are never mentioned before, during or after the Seminar. As our fitness coach said, “Can’t people believe that we are trying to do something good?”

What is very exciting is that one person who did come to our first seminar asked my wife for further information. This person said that they had become even more motivated to live a healthy lifestyle by listening to our Fitness Coach; and they then decided to become a client!

I often wonder why some people are so afraid of healthy living and fitness. What are their fears?

Are they afraid that they will actually look and feel better, have more energy and stamina, and maybe even begin to “like” eating in a healthy manner?

You only have one life to live; isn’t it better to live that life feeling the best you possibly can? Or, do you honestly not want to be helped?

Well, either way, I would never call you fat….