Like stealing candy from a baby
As you guys know, I’m a trainer and running coach. The saying “it hurts me more than it hurts you” rings true. Making people do things they don’t want to do isn’t always fun, but it’s a necessity.
Last week I tricked a running client into giving up her heart rate monitor during one of her speed sessions. It went something like this: ”May I see your heart rate monitor for a minute?” Then as I strapped her heart rate monitor onto my own wrist, I gave her a quick “thank you, now run harder.” I felt bad, but her obsession with her beats per minute were killing her run. Every now and then being a personal trainer means being a bully. 
Up until that point she was struggling to complete the assigned intervals and was falling behind the group. Her high heart rate had caused a mini freak out and therefore a mental block. She was more than capable of completing the workout but she let a number psych her out. Running sans heart rate monitor allowed her to successfully power through her workout.
I’ve been feeling a little guilty ever since that run. Then I read this article in yesterday’s NY Times.
Whether its a number on a heart rate monitor or the number on the scale, don’t let a number bully you! Save the bullying for your trainer.
Question: What number bully’s you the most and how do you fight back?
I have similar situations with my clients at the weight loss clinic I work at. People come in and complain that they “woke up this morning and got on the scale and had gained 1 pound over night!”. Then they get frustruated and start eating, or something. I try to explain that weight fluctuates throughout the day, it’s NOT an exact/perfect science! I tell people to only weigh themselves once a day, or even once a week, but they usually don’t listen
I wish I could go steal their scale!
There is sucha thing as a good bully! I try to get my clients to get out of their heads when they workout, its the only thing holding them back.
I love the quote from NY Times.
The number that bothers me the most…the scale of course. I just do my best to workout, eat healthy, and keep it within a 3-5 lb range. Lately though I’ve been stressed and it hasnt been that hard. I over-exercise when I’m stressed. The other number that bothers me is my inbox count. I have to read everything asap after it comes in LOL
love your blog. Hey…your watch matches your drink! :0)