I had an interesting conversation a few months back with a person, and I debated whether I should write about this or not because I KNOW it will poke a sharp stick. But…I’m going to tell you anyway. Let me ask you…how much does it cost to be 300lbs?
As one of my friends said, “sometimes people ignore the obvious until it’s staring them in the face.”
I had a gentleman reach out to me to learn more about training; he was a little over 300lbs and wanted to get down to the 220 area, so we’re talking about an 80lb weight loss goal.
It’s been about 8-10 years since he’s been on any consistent physical activity. He has a gym membership that he doesn’t use and has also tried various classes/programs over the years, but nothing has stuck.
I proposed that the best place for us to start was our 28 Day Test Drive (HERE) for our small group (6-8 people) personal training program.
This would get him here 3xweek for training sessions and allow us to start working on his eating, BUT what we stress about this trial is that it gives us (him and I) and chance to learn more about one another.
The 28-Day Test Drive would also give him a chance to experience the place, the people, the coaches, and see if this (RTC) would be the trainers/coaches to get him to where he wants to go.
What this trial also does, is that it gives us (the coaches) and a chance to learn more about what we are working with and time for us to know what kind of training plan we need to build for him.
The cost of the trial is $249, and I told him that at any point in the trial if it didn’t feel like a good fit, he didn’t like it, or any reason, we would give him a full refund, and we would refer him to someone else that might be a better fit.
Him: “Goodness, that seems expensive.”
“Compared to what?” was my response.
Him: “Well, uh… I don’t know, but I wasn’t expecting that”
“What were you expecting?”
Him: “I don’t know; I was just expecting maybe a hundred bucks.”
“Its cool, I understand, to get started can be an investment for some, but again, if you don’t like it or you don’t see results, then we will refund you.”
Him: “Well, could you give me a discount?”
At that part is when I decided to take a different approach.
“How much do you think you spend each month to stay at 300lbs?”
(silence…)
“Seriously, how much do you think it costs to be 300lbs?”
“How much do you spend going out to eat each month? Eating food that you know you shouldn’t eat? Your beer? Insurance cost, your diabetes medicine? How much do you think it cost to say at 300lbs? Because I’m sure THAT is expensive.”
“Yeah…”
“Then what about the emotional cost? You don’t even want to take off your shirt at a pool because you are embarrassed, you don’t feel like your a positive role model to your kids, you feel like crap all the time, and these are your words, not mine. But how much does that cost you?”
“A lot…”
“Look man, I know this comes across callused, but you’ve made excuses for yourself for the past 10 years, and you called me; I’m just telling you what I’m hearing. Everything I’ve said, I’m sure you’ve thought already, but hearing it from someone else hits home differently.”
“I’m not asking you to spend more money, but instead asking you to change how you spend it.”
Him: “Damn man, this is just hard.”
“Brotha, being overweight is hard, getting in shape is hard, but pick your hard.”
“Coming here, I’m not just going to ask you to workout and drink a protein shake, but I’m going to ask… no MAKE you change your life; to no longer live a 300lbs lifestyle but live a 220lbs lifestyle. That is a completely different life, but as long as your not scared of some hard work and sore muscles, we can show you how.”
…silence.
“Look… I know this was not a conversation you were anticipating having, and I threw some hardballs at you, so I’m going to give you an out because I do NOT want to pressure you into anything. I want you to WANT to do this because this will only work if you want it.”
“So, think about this for a few days, check out a few other trainers and programs. After that, if you want to give this place a shot, reach back out, and we can get the ball rolling.”
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Callused? Maybe.
Harsh? Probably a bit. Even I admit that.
I don’t have many conversations like that anymore because our messages on our website, social media, and email tend to turn off people that aren’t ready for this level of commitment to change.
Our job as coaches at RTC, or any good coach for that matter, is to hold you to a higher standard than you hold yourself. That reason right there is why many people hire a coach. A good coach will make you do the things that you don’t want to do but need to do, AND in some cases call BS on the excuses on why you haven’t done it in the first place.
Now a good coach will never be an ass about it, good coaches are emphatic and understanding, but it doesn’t mean that our empathy gives you a pass not to do what needs to be done.
We’ll pat you on the back, say hey, that sucks, that’s unfair… but let’s get back to work, and let’s fix it.
I share this story with you because sometimes you need to hear someone else tell you the things that you tell yourself or say the things that you think but are too scared to say out loud.
It’s quite different when you hear YOUR reasons out loud from someone else.
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Now, what do I think is going to happen to this guy? Honestly, I don’t know.
This conversation could have pissed him off and made him dig his heels in deeper on why he can’t change or be the catalyst for him to change.
I hope it’s the latter, but either way, I do hope he finds his answer.
Click HERE to watch the incredible and inspirational story of how RTC member Danny Meyer lost 211lbs and changed his life.
In Health and Awesomeness,
Travis Merritt, BS, CPT, (and other letters behind the name) is the Owner of Rowlett Transformation Center in Rowlett, TX.
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