What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging themselves?

1
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
Self-sabotage is a very common behavioral issue
to address with clients, although it can manifest
itself as different forms.
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
2
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
According to Psychology Today, a behavior is said
to be self-sabotaging when it creates problems
and interferes with long-standing goals.
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
3
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
This type of behavior results from a misguided
attempt to rescue ourselves from our own
negative feelings.
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
4
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
In other words, your client is getting in their
own way from achieving their goals. If it sounds
counter-intuitive, thats because it is!
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
5
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
As unique as your clients are, you may see them
reveal self-sabotaging behavior in very
distinctive ways. Here are a few common ones
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
6
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
 Procrastination  This happens to the best of
us, and yes sometimes life gets in the way, but
when excuses are continually made to keep you off
course from your goals (e.g. continually
canceling/rescheduling sessions, falling off the
nutrition plan, running out of time in the day
to fit in a quick workout) then action is needed.
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
7
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
 All-or-nothing mindset   This might be the
most common self-sabotaging issue that I see a
client will push past the procrastination hurdle
and get started, only to completely throw in the
towel when they make one small misstep (such as
giving into cravings for food they were trying to
stay away from or missing a couple of workout
days).
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
8
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
 Negative self-talk  This might be a little
less easily seen in a client unless they are open
and honest with you about what they are thinking. 
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
9
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
Work with your client to figure out when this
self-talk happens and what it consists of. If
they become self-aware, they can start to address
it instead of letting it control them.
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
10
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
Regardless of what your client is working
through, whether it is one of these behaviors or
something else, start small and work on building
healthy habits with your client to work past the
self-sabotaging behavior.
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
11
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
Please note, although it is natural to want to
help our clients move past whatever it is they
are going through, keep in mind the scope of a
personal trainers role and know when to refer to
a qualified emotional behavioral specialist, as
opposed to overanalyzing and making assumptions.
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
12
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
Everyone has the power to choose their daily
thoughts but it takes practice and consistency.
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
13
What can I do if my clients keep self-sabotaging
themselves? By Maureen Faherty
As your clients personal trainer/coach, you can
help them identify their emotional roadblocks,
encourage positive thinking and continue to
accomplish small victories to work past any
self-sabotaging behavior that stands in the way
of their goals.
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com
14
SHARE your PASSION and KNOWLEDGE with world.
Get published on Fitness Professional Online
www.fitnessprofessionalonline.com