SUCCESS-STORIES: WORKING OUT WITHOUT "GAINING"
STEEL Team
April 26, 2024
Even though the idea of personalised training is not new, the Vietnamese fitness industry has been slow to fully adopt it. The #Success-events series of articles by STEEL is based on real events and aims to show how personal trainers and clients with different physical issues, personalities, and ways of life can work together and communicate. It mostly has to do with how we find the best training environment, meet the needs of every customer, and make sure that everyone has the most success possible. Since no two people are exactly the same, there is no one solution that works for everyone.
When it comes to women who work out, a common fear is that their bodies will get bigger and bulkier from all that muscle growth. When this becomes an obsession, it hinders people's motivation to reach their maximum potential and makes exercise less effective.
Customer Profile:
- Age: 30 years old
- Training Goal: Weight loss, body slimming
- Training Duration: 3.5 months
- Initial Physical Condition: Balanced figure but lacking endurance, minimal food intake
Ms. Laure joined STEEL several months before her wedding. Despite having a relatively balanced figure, she wanted to lose more weight and refine her shape in order to wear the most beautiful wedding dress. One notable trait of Laure's is her sensitivity to even minute bodily changes. This resulted in a habit of eating very little - only small portions of grains or salad leaves for meals, and sushi for dinner. But she had to eat sweets often for her job at a cake shop. Her energy and stamina were low because she rarely exercised and didn't eat enough.
Ms. Laure had previously attempted to lose weight through exercise but found it ineffective. So it wasn't until the wedding approached that she decided to join a gym and sculpt her body into better shape.
Ms. Laure already had a relatively balanced, proportional figure, but she lacked strength and tone due to infrequent exercise, so I recommended full-body workouts with light weights. This allowed for comprehensive movement, gradually shaping her body towards the goal.
To ensure good nutrition and enough energy for daily life and training, I also encouraged her to increase her food portions throughout the day, with a focus on healthy options. Ms. Laure, however, remained cautious and did not dare to eat much for fear of gaining weight.
As previously stated, I requested that Laure follow the meal plan I created, which included larger portions than her previous eating habits. However, my observation suggested that Ms. Laure was still cautious of committing to this strategy. That also resulted in her inability to sustain and execute it effectively.
I realised then I needed a new approach. Rather than forcing a rigid diet on her, we had open discussions about her nutrition and collaborated together to find solutions. I provided scientific evidence and real-life stories about how overeating sweets can harm the body, offered her suggestions on reducing intake, listened to her struggles, delved into her true desires, and ultimately let her proactively choose the way forward she felt most comfortable with.
This gave Laure back control of her own diet. My role shifted to advisor, motivator and soundboard. I knew that change had to come from within if it was to be sustainable. With this collaborative and flexible approach, Ms. Laure felt empowered to improve her habits. There are no stern rules or restrictions. Just positive, sustainable changes tailored to her needs.
Ms. Laure had an unfavourable impression towards weight training, believing it would increase her size and muscles. Knowing this, I switched to using light weights once a week, while also explaining common misconceptions about weights making people bulky. To make her feel at ease, I focused on bodyweight and resistance band exercises. This approach would reduce her fear of growing large while still allowing her muscles to tighten and develop.
When working with clients, I must tailor my techniques to each individual's body type, personality, and preferences. Sometimes there are approaches that I believe are effective, but the client dislikes or is uncomfortable with them. Forcing these methods leads to long-term frustration and abandonment. As a trainer, I must be adaptable in adjusting the programme so that the client feels at ease and confident.
In Ms. Laure's case, I could tell she disliked rigid rules and restrictions based on our conversations and observations. That's when I realised I needed to let go of my own preconceived notions in order to find the best solution for long-term results. Patiently listening with an open mind helped me better understand her goals and concerns, allowing me to communicate effectively and identify the best training solution for her needs.
What did the client achieve after the training?
Ms. Laure lost approximately 4kgs after training 1-2 times per week for more than 3 months, meeting her initial weight goal. Her body toned up, with 4 to 9 cm reductions in arm, waist, hip, and thigh measurements. In addition, her muscles became firmer and stronger, as opposed to their initial soft and weak state. Her bodily contours also became more defined, which matched her expectations of fitting perfectly into the wedding dress.
Her boyfriend, now husband, was also pleasantly surprised by the positive changes, not only physically but also mentally, as Ms. Laure felt extremely relaxed rather than exhausted. Most importantly, she successfully self-adjusted her diet to meet her body's requirements, providing enough energy while maintaining a balanced figure.
Beyond the ceremony's superficial body enhancements, the true value lay in Ms. Laure's improved mindset towards nutrition and exercise, which formed the foundation for a healthier lifestyle in the future.
Thank you, Coach Thao Lam, for sharing.
