We have all heard the warnings about buying a pet as a
holiday gift; they often end up unloved and neglected. This year I am asking you to save a personal
trainer from that fate and refrain from buying training sessions as a holiday
gift. Every year I talk someone out of purchasing such a gift. It may seem like
a great present, but if the giftee is not inspired to change, those sessions
will go unused. Even if your loved one
says she wants to get into shape, or that he would love a personal trainer,
there is a good chance he or she is only in the “contemplative” stage, and is
not ready to change. I have had many
people purchase sessions for a loved one in the hopes of improving his or her
health, and then had to give the money back when the loved one was
reluctant to even meet with me. Those of
us who love to exercise often find it hard to understand those who do not. Buying sessions for someone who really does not want them (despite what is
verbalized) will waste your money.
If you are sure your loved one wants a personal trainer I
recommend logging on to http://www.ideafit.com/home and clicking on “find a trainer”. This site checks education, certifications,
experience and has client reviews. Purchase just one session, and arrange with the
trainer to purchase a set amount after this session if your giftee really wants
to continue.
Even better than trying to purchase health, how about
gifting yourself? Pledge to meet for a
walk instead of lunch, commit to training for a 5K together, join a tennis
clinic, or invite your friend to your gym or favorite class. For a low cost motivator try a
pedometer. This inexpensive gadget can
be clipped on, or worn as a bracelet. It
measures how many steps a day you take (10,000 is the current recommendation
for health) and is a great feedback tool for how much (or how little) activity
you are doing.
Giving a gift of fitness is great, but choose wisely to rescue a trainer from feeling neglected, and to save yourself some money.
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