KEEPING CLIENTS FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED OVER THE HOLIDAYS

It’s that time of year again! A time to rest, rejuvenate, open presents, overindulge, skip workouts… Hmmm, okay. It can be easy to slip out of existing routines and succumb to the many temptations of the holiday season, and while that’s fine in small amounts, there are ways you can help your clients to maintain consistency and stay on track.

We’ve put together 5 potential challenges your clients may face PLUS suggestions you can make to help them overcome anything getting in the way of their success. Let’s get stuck in!

Challenge #1: Disrupted routines and time constraints 📅 💃⌚

This is a big one. There is so much going on at the end of the year sometimes December can feel like a giant blur of social obligations with a Mariah Carey backing track. The daily grind of work, school, family chores, etc. can sometimes be exhausting – but it’s still a consistent routine which means it’s usually easy enough to pencil in workouts and stick to them.

Once the calendar starts filling up with parties, school performances, last-minute gift shopping, tying up work projects, and starting vacation time, the usual routines and habits can start to take a back seat as we go into holiday survival mode. 

TrueCoach tips and tricks:

PRO TIP

By offering a recurring payment (subscription model) option you may give your clients that extra incentive to do their workouts (seeing as they are paying for it regardless). This is also a nice little bonus for your bottom line because you’ll still be paid even if clients do miss some sessions. 💰

Recurring payments can be set up and managed easily using TrueCoach. For advice on how to get started, check out our blog post: How to Transition Your Clients to a Subscription Payment Plan 

Challenge #2: Food, glorious food 🥂🍗🍰

For some, this is the trickiest of all the challenges, requiring an iron will power forged by the gods themselves. While that may sound dramatic, sometimes we lose all resolve in the face of a delectable plate of cookies or second helpings of a hearty roast dinner.

Or perhaps you just can’t bear to see Aunt Flo’s crestfallen expression when her homemade trifle is rejected and so you eat to be polite. Some people can’t abide food waste and hoover up leftovers, even when they’re about to burst (remember: you are not a trash can).

And sometimes it’s just ‘being on holidays’ that makes us want to abandon the regular schedule to relax and indulge. After all, comfort food is called that for a reason!

TrueCoach tips and tricks:

PRO TIP

Assign nutrition habits using the Habit Programming feature in the TrueCoach app. You could assign a water intake habit, or an ‘on-track’ meal habit, to help get them back into a healthy routine.

Find out more information on our new Habit Programming feature .

Challenge #3: Logistical obstacles ☃🏝🌪  

There are many challenges that are out of our control, and many of these occur during the holiday season. The weather can freak out, facilities close for periods of time, roads get closed due to snow, traffic spirals out of control. A simple workout can become a frustrating, swear-jar filling, tear-inducing drama worthy of an Oscar nod.

People also go away on vacation (as they should) which can throw them completely off-course with working out.

TrueCoach tips and tricks:

PRO TIP

TrueCoach comes pre-loaded with over 3,000+ premium exercise videos—and you can also easily upload your own, whether that’s a demo, a class or a personalized video. 

For more on getting started with online training check out our blog post: Virtually unstoppable: venturing into virtual training

Challenge #4: Stress, fatigue or illness 😡😴🤒

Good tidings and Christmas cheer aside, the holidays can actually be super stressful. By the end of the year people are often exhausted, mentally and physically drained, or catching a bug – and then the social obligations of the season begin.

Burnout is on the rise, people spend too much time in front of computer screens, and sometimes the thought of completing a workout is a bridge too far. We’ve all been there.

TrueCoach tips and tricks:

PRO TIP

Create stress-busting workouts for your clients that include gentler exercises, deep breathing, and stretching.

For further instructions on deep breathing access the Harvard Health Publishing article: Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response

Challenge #5: Holiday mode: activated 😎🛌📺

Most of us have uttered this primal cry when justifying our end of year sleep-ins, lazing around, bingeing (all kinds), and any other activity deemed unbefitting a ‘healthy person’: But I’m on hoLiDaY!

Holiday mode is real and it grabs hold fast. If not kept in check it can be like quicksand, sucking you down into a month-long PJ, couch, and snack fest. Holiday mode can feel amazing, and we all need a break once in a while, but as a certified health and wellness coach it’s your job to keep your clients away from the comfort pit and on the path to optimum health and wellness as they start a new year.

TrueCoach tips and tricks:

PRO TIP

Set specific, achievable goals for the holiday season and track progress together to maintain focus.

Using the TrueCoach personal trainer software, you can manage all of your clients and their workouts in one easy-to-use place. Set goals, deliver personalized workout plans, track progress, and stay on top of communication.

For ideas on setting client goals check out our blog post: Set, measure, achieve! Goals for personal trainer and client success

Lastly, be sure to enjoy the holiday season yourself! …While also keeping in mind all of the above. You’ve worked hard this year and you want to ensure you’re hitting the ground running in 2024, growing your awesome business and changing clients’ lives. ✨💪

With the right strategies, your clients can navigate the challenges of the holidays and emerge stronger and healthier. Always remember that balance is the key!

Ready to make personal training easier and more streamlined with TrueCoach? Sign up today and receive a 14 Day Free Trial.

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