HI, all. I'm in charge of running our gym's biggest loser contest (we call it something different but it's pretty similar to the show).
We're mid-way through the 12 week contest and lbs have been shedding steadily at 4-8 lbs a week. The best part is everyone is noticing their strength and improved cardio efficiency.
The worst part is last week at the weigh in, we had a weight gain and various no weight losses or just 1 lbs lost. Except for one person, the weigh in was extremely disappointing.
We also did an anonymous food diary. I was SHOCKED to see that these people, who have paid hundreds of dollars and get $1500 of services, who have dedicated their time...eat stuff like burritos, ice cream bars and chocolate bars - on top of eating far too much of the healthy foods.
To me, I'm like, what a waste of everyone's time!
One of the other trainers got ticked. Kind of an in-your-face tongue lashing occurred. I thought it was rather harsh. But totally real and true.
I'm in charge of the weekly newspaper coverage so my opinion was not personal or in person, but my article for the paper was more of an eloquent way of saying, "Duh! What did you expect? To have your cake and eat three other cakes, too?" So I think I may have been rather harsh, too.
I'm worried about moral and motivation. The trainer's point is to hold everyone accountable - we can't make a miracle happen for them - but at the same time, I value these people like family. I just want to hug all of them and keep them going.
In your opinion, what is the correct balance for a professional trainer to help when considering accountability?
Would you want the trainer to let you off the hook, knowing they know that you know that you sabotaged your diet and be all nicey nice about it? Sweep it under the rug?
Or is the trainer the one person you allow to shove it in your face that you screwed up? The one person to hold you accountable?
I mean, it would be totally different if the weight loss plateau happened for reasons like water retention or muscle gain. I could never shove a weight gain for those reasons in anyone's face.
But this is a bit different. They spend 2 hours a week with a RDN. By now, they most definitely should know better. They get personal training 4 hours a week which I get paid for but I also volunteer 8 hours a week on top of what I get paid to do to dedicate my help to them.
Opinions?