Training a beginner, need help to encourage even with slow results

[Chris09]

I am currently training a beginner. I run with her 3 times a week for about 20 min and lift weights with her 3 times a week. I have had her on this program for about 5 or 6 weeks now and she is getting frustrated because she isn't losing weight. I have told her that she has cut fast food, snacks and cokes out of her diet completely (with the exception of 2 days a week) and has a semi decent diet. Along with working out the way she is, she is probably gaining muscle and losing fat which is why there is no weight change. Is this correct? How long should I tell her it should take to see results? I have found that it usually takes about 3 or 4 months before you really start to notice a change. Is this true. Do you have any advice on ways to encourage her to prevent her from quiting? It is easy to want to work out when you are actually seeing results. I know that if she sticks with it and cleans the diet up a little more she should see results. Can anyone help?
Thanks

[B.A.]

I hate training folk with virtually zero motivation - the idea is that the person you train meets you half way, and eating junk 2 days out of 7 and only a semi-good diet doesn't sound like commitment.

Anyway, two things that you can tell her off the top of my head - "Don't gauge your progress by the numbers on a scale/ measuring tape, go and look in the mirror - I've been working with you only 5-6 weeks and I can see you progressing", or "muscle weighs more than fat - you're losing fat, but your toning and shaping your muscles. You're appearance is improving weekly, the more you put into it, the more you get out (my favourite motivator line)".

- B.A.

[Chris09]

I've always been a big fan of positive reinforcement. She made a comment today about noticing her pants fit a little better. Nothing significant but still proof of progress. I think I will just remind her that the work she has been puting into this has not been for nothing. Things are happening. And then say that the magnitude of your results relates to the magnitude of the effort you are putting into the plan. Thanks for the tips.

[Jaster]

Most people forget they did not just wake up one morning out of shape. It took years of veging out in front of the tv and eatting bad. Well now it will take time to strip that away. The other thing they seem to miss is any improvement is just that IMPROVEMENT. I am a power lifter and I train with power lifters. There is one guy that lifts with us and he is so hung up on weight numbers "I lifted 350" Well he lifted it 3 reps. Next work out he lifted it 4 reps. He is still hung on 350 not the number of reps. One more rep is .... ONE MORE REP and is IMPROVEMENT!
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[CJNY]

Most beginners would do well to spend a few minutes figuring out exactly why they want to improve their fitness. It may seem obvious but in truth it usually isn't. A half-assed idea of the goal usually results in half-assed success.

One idea that has a lot of merit is to write down on paper the pro's and con's of staying the same versus improving fitness. Don't think you can just talk or think about it - writing it down is a very powerful motivator.

Now, you might think it odd to look at the negatives of improving fitness (or the benefits of staying flabby) but you definitely should. Things like having to give up beer and pizza night with the guys or the need to buy 3 or 4 new suits for work are real issues that everyone has to deal with. Better to get clear on them up front. My experience is that those who fail to maintain their new-found fitness over the long term often do so because they had unrealistic expectations of how great it would be. Strangely, if they go into it with a fuller appreciation of the plusses AND minuses then they often do better.

[ricohelms]

[quote=Jaster]Most people forget they did not just wake up one morning out of shape. It took years of veging out in front of the tv and eatting bad. [quote]

Jas,

I have never thought of it this way. Well said!!!

Ask her who her favorite sports person is. When she answers, ask her if she thinks that this person just woke up one day and was good at his/her sport? We all know that years of training and dedication are required to achieve there goals so why would she be any different?

[Chris09]

[quote=ricohelms][quote=Jaster]Most people forget they did not just wake up one morning out of shape. It took years of veging out in front of the tv and eatting bad.

Jas,

I have never thought of it this way. Well said!!!

Ask her who her favorite sports person is. When she answers, ask her if she thinks that this person just woke up one day and was good at his/her sport? We all know that years of training and dedication are required to achieve there goals so why would she be any different?

Thank you so much for this last comment. She has said on several occasions, "I hate running, I just wasn't made for it. I dont have good form, I just am not coordinated enough to obtain good form, and I dont ever see improvement regaurdless of how much I run. I just wasn't born an athletic person like you." I dont think she has ever run for more than 20 minutes in her life. I have explained to her that practice is the key and that I would be there to help her with her form. The good thing is though, even though she absolutely hates running, she goes with me three times a week knowing that it will do her some good. She does have drive which is so very valuable when it comes to getting into shape. I really wish she could run with me though. I used to run between 3 to 5 miles on my running days. Now I am running about a mile and a half while she is running around the track. I dont have enough time to go twice but when we run we run either early morning when it is dark or after school when it is dark and she doesn't quite feel comfortable running alone. So I go with her.

[ricohelms]

No worries bro. Glad to help