Need feedback please re: weight loss class

[ellesan]

I've lost 100 lbs (on my own) with good diet and nutrition/exercise practices and I got certified as a personal trainer last December. I've been asked to teach several classes about my weight loss and have so much info I'm not sure what to included in so short a time period. The initial class will be 1.5-2 hours and I want to leave some time for QandA. I would like to turn this into part of my business (doing seminars and classes) but I'm a newbie at this part.

My goal is to really let people know they can do it and be an inspiration and starting off point. My goal in my personal training business is to make it very personal and idividualized (not just "x" plan for everyone).

Here's what I'm thinking of including (at least on some degree). Any feedback or thoughts welcome! :

My story: how I lost the weight and keep it off
Mental and emotional readiness
Motivation: where to get it and how to keep it
Goals (immediate, short and long term)
Basics of nutrition, food shopping, macronutrients/calories
Movement and exercise

Thanks!

 

[kathryn]

First off, congratulations on your weight loss success. You rock!

IMO, your plan for the class looks good, but might be a bit too ambitious. Maybe it would take less time if you combined 'your story' with the other topics (for example, when you talk about how you became motivated to lose the weight, you can discuss motivation in general a bit). Though if you are teaching several classes, you could move some of the info to follow-up classes.

For an initial class, I think the following topics would be most appropriate:

My story: how I lost the weight (maybe save the 'keep it off' for a future class, the final class? keeping things in somewhat of a logical sequence. You could mention just briefly in a sentence that keeping off the weight is as important as losing it, and you will adress that later).

Mental and emotional readiness

Motivation: where to get it and how to keep it (again, some of this "how to keep it" could go with "keeping off the weight" later)

Goals (immediate, short and long term) (this is a good ending for class one, IMO, as it gives them something to do to come back to the next class with. "Homework" as it were. You could suggest some immediate goals-- like dietary changes, activity changes--and they could choose for themselves those they will put into effect right after class, making somewhat of a contract with themselves and with you).

The following seem like they would fit better in follow-up classes (I think trying to fit them into the first class might be giving them too little time)

Basics of nutrition, food shopping, macronutrients/calories
Movement and exercise


HTH!

 

[ellesan]

Kathyrn,

Great ideas and feedback, exactly what I need, thanks! You are right, it's too much info for one class and I like the idea of leaving them with goals for homework! Yeah, nutriton and exercise need their own class...just not sure what this will be like or how many classes I would end up doing (someone else is getting the group together/location, etc).

Thanks!

 

[Lastchance09]

Talk about your setbacks. You lost 100lbs on your own and that seems near impossible to most people. Talk about times you have failed so they won't think that you are superhuman.

 

[Connie07]

Talk about your setbacks. You lost 100lbs on your own and that seems near impossible to most people. Talk about times you have failed so they won't think that you are superhuman.

ITA with this, I think for so many people struggling with weight(myself included) we don't hear about the setbacks and sometimes think "we" must be failures because those that have succeded must not have had set backs (we certainly don't read about setbacks very often) I love reading success stories, it does give me hope but I do think discussing setbacks, and what you did to get back on track will be very helpful. It seems in most success stories I"ve read, once the person decided to lose weight, they cleaned up the diet and started exercising and WAM the weight is gone (even though I KNOW it doesn't work that way)

I also think Kathryn brought up some very good points. Too much info too soon can be overwhelming. I think breaking things down will give the class something to look forward to each week and have small goals to work toward and discuss each week.
Congratulations on you success! I think you will inpsire a lot of women.

 

[cakebaker]

Does your State allow you to do this?

In some states, personal trainers are restricted as to what nutritional advice they can give. In my state I'm VERY restricted to offering just very general advice - use the food pyramid, etc. I'm not allowed to endorse any particular plan. This is where I would start, to make sure you can do this without getting yourself in trouble.

 

[Dela]

I've read some of your blog, needless to say, your success is amazing. If you you were near by, I would love to attend that class and hear it all first hand. Any chance you are near NJ?

 

[clothesminded]

I also like to hear people's "secrets." like drinking decaf. tea at night to get when they get a sweet urge; setting up their exercise equip. before they leave the house for an afternoon workout;setting SMALL goals (it can be overwhelming to want to lose what you've lost- 5 pounds in ..... weeks kinda thing); rewarding yourself w/something other than food; journaling to see really why you ate.

Those are the things that I would want to hear.

Congrats on your success. I'm sure you will be a great motivation to others.

 

[ellesan]

Great advice, thanks! I've definitely learned that failure is part of the process, not only weight loss, but life in general...and I keep learning that lesson over and over again! I talk a lot about this in my story of how I lost the weight. I have a great quote that I like to use by Michael Jordan that talks about him failing over and over again and that is why he became so successful. Thanks!

Talk about your setbacks. You lost 100lbs on your own and that seems near impossible to most people. Talk about times you have failed so they won't think that you are superhuman.

 

[ellesan]

Connie, great feedback, thank you! Yes, one of the ideas I use for getting back on track is an analogy from Dr. Oz book You on a Diet (in fact I posted it here on the forum under: Self correction: adopt the You-turn Mantra). I will talk about the good, the bad and the ugly. Thanks so much.

ITA with this, I think for so many people struggling with weight(myself included) we don't hear about the setbacks and sometimes think "we" must be failures because those that have succeded must not have had set backs (we certainly don't read about setbacks very often) I love reading success stories, it does give me hope but I do think discussing setbacks, and what you did to get back on track will be very helpful. It seems in most success stories I"ve read, once the person decided to lose weight, they cleaned up the diet and started exercising and WAM the weight is gone (even though I KNOW it doesn't work that way)

I also think Kathryn brought up some very good points. Too much info too soon can be overwhelming. I think breaking things down will give the class something to look forward to each week and have small goals to work toward and discuss each week.
Congratulations on you success! I think you will inpsire a lot of women.

 

[ellesan]

Great, thanks for the feedback/ideas. I will incorporate this for sure.

I also like to hear people's "secrets." like drinking decaf. tea at night to get when they get a sweet urge; setting up their exercise equip. before they leave the house for an afternoon workout;setting SMALL goals (it can be overwhelming to want to lose what you've lost- 5 pounds in ..... weeks kinda thing); rewarding yourself w/something other than food; journaling to see really why you ate.

Those are the things that I would want to hear.

Congrats on your success. I'm sure you will be a great motivation to others.

 

[ellesan]

Hi, thanks for the info. For now I'm just going to be telling my story and what worked for me, I didn't use any particular plan so won't be endorsing one. My discussion on food/nutrition will be very basic--just how to make better choices, very basic ideas about metabolism, and how they can incorporate their favorite foods in small amounts...things like that. I am also taking the ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management coach certification in September. Thanks for the heads-up!

In some states, personal trainers are restricted as to what nutritional advice they can give. In my state I'm VERY restricted to offering just very general advice - use the food pyramid, etc. I'm not allowed to endorse any particular plan. This is where I would start, to make sure you can do this without getting yourself in trouble.

 

[ellesan]

Dela, thanks, you are too kind! I'm out west, in Utah.

I've read some of your blog, needless to say, your success is amazing. If you you were near by, I would love to attend that class and hear it all first hand. Any chance you are near NJ?