By: Pam Ben Rached
April 3, 2011
When you start and once a month thereafter, clients at Body by Pam receive the distinct privilege of “Weigh and Measure” or as we write it in the appointment book: “W/M”.
For those of you unfamiliar with this momentous occasion, W/M is the time when the trainer measures your weight, inches and body fat percentage. Doesn’t this sound exciting?? Although this is the main reason why 99% of our clientele come to Body by Pam, this event is met with a bevy of mixed emotions. Here are some of the shenanigans that go on during this process:
- Excuses, excuses, excuses: “I don’t like your scale – I weighed less at home.” Of COURSE you did! You were naked, it was first thing in the morning, and you pooped! I try to explain we are comparing apples to apples by having my scale as the indicator, weighing at the same time and having clothes on, etc. but sometimes this litany falls on deaf ears. Another one: “I’m bloated and/or I’m on my period.” Ok, come on – we did w/m last month at the same time. As far as bloat, don’t eat Chinese food the night before w/m. A third one: “I’ve been really good – I don’t understand why I didn’t lose weight/I gained weight.” OK – fess up – yes you do. Let’s be honest. Did you log your food? Did you really follow your food plan? My last favorite: “I just ate breakfast and/or drank coffee so that’s why my weight is up.” PLEASE! Let’s be honest – you can’t gain by eating breakfast and even more ridiculous, by drinking coffee! Coffee is a diuretic. Need I say more?
- The position of the scale in the bathroom is extremely important in the outcome. My clients have been known to move the scale against the wall, down the hallway, by the toilet or near the sink. I cut them off at four attempts but I’ll go with the best number. Crying is not required but happens sometimes. So do tears of joy! Emotions run rampant in the bathroom.
- It is guaranteed that Mourad will yell at me for taking too much time in the bathroom. We have one bathroom in the studio so I am guilty as charged.
- I am thinking about hiring a Catholic priest to hear confessions in the bathroom as I have better luck then most churches do during the Lenten season.
- It is a misconception that going to the bathroom before w/m makes a difference but 9/10 people will do that before (mostly women.)
- More resolutions occur in the bathroom then on January 1st.
All in all, weigh and measure is not such a bad deal. I am investing in a good helmet and chest protector just to be safe. If this article hasn’t dissuaded you from signing up at Body by Pam, I hope it brought a smile to your face!