Okay, so you've determined that you aren't exactly Olympic athlete material. So what? You don't even like sports, let alone being very good at them. That's fine, and there is nothing wrong with that. So what about fat? Do you like bodyfat? Do you find it physically appealing? Do you think it's healthy? If so, we're done speaking. Go on about your business, and thanks for reading this far.

For everyone else, here is a newsflash: In America today - year 2004 - obesity related health conditions account for more deaths in United States each year than all known forms of cancer COMBINED. Heart Disease alone is number one killer of American adults, and it is a PREVENTABLE CONDITION!

How about self-esteem? 64% of Americans are overweight. That is almost two-thirds of population. If you think that a figure like that and skyrocketing sales of prescription anti-depressants aren't related, you now have a second opportunity to stop reading this article and continue on with your day.

Here is bottom line, folks: Exercise and a reasonable nutrition program are necessary for ALL people, for their ENTIRE lives. Note, however, that I said "exercise", and that I also said "reasonable nutrition program". At no point did I say anything about spending 2 hours per day at gym, or about eating nothing but carrots and celery for rest of your life. Why? Those practices are just as ineffective at long-term weight loss as diet pills and late night infomercial products. Here is what DOES work:

1)Weight/Resistance Training - Weight training for both men and women has same effect - it makes your muscles more metabolically active. In simpler terms, it means your muscles will burn more calories - even when you are sleeping. Muscle is only site on your body where bodyfat is broken down. Weak muscles

Utilizing a "position of power" is one of most effective methods of positioning yourself as an expert in your field. Approaching a situation from a position of power is simply art of assuming that whoever you are talking to already perceives you to be an expert. Remember that a person's perception is their reality, so as long as other person believes that you are an expert, then in their eyes, you are!

For example, let's use story of a talented personal trainer who is applying for position of Director of Fitness Programming at a small but successful local gym. We will call our imaginary professional Joe Trainer, and we will say for record that Joe does indeed hold an effective track record in personal training industry. His clients have benefited from his knowledge and guidance, and he has successfully changed many people's lives in a positive manner. However, Joe Trainer has never been a "Director of Fitness Programming" before. Is he qualified for job?

Let's review Joe's history. He has worked or worked out in dozens of gyms over years. Joe has utilized all manner of fitness equipment, from paint cans in his garage when he was a teenager, all way up through most modern computerized workout machines available in some of today's fitness facilities. Joe has put together hundreds of different workout programs for hundreds of different people over years, and we have already determined that his client track record is excellent. Joe has also been called upon many times over years to recommend fitness equipment purchases to his many clients, including a cost to benefit ratio analysis (in other words, if equipment is worth money). Joe has also been exposed to many different lines of nutritional supplements, dietary guidelines, and he has even taken aerobics classes and yoga from time to time.

Has Joe Trainer ever been a "Director of Fitness Programming" before? No. However, is Joe Trainer qualified for that position? Most likely yes! However, now Joe has a dilemma. He has scheduled an interview with local gym, he really wants job, but he is nervous about fact that he has never really been a "Director of Fitness Programming" or a director of anything at all, for that matter. Joe now has 2 choices.

Choice number one is for Joe to go to interview, ramble on uncontrollably about hundreds of clients that he has successfully trained, babble about how many different gyms he has been in, and go into mindless detail about why he thinks Supplement A is better than Supplement B.

Do you think Joe will get job? Let's try a different approach.

Joe mentally prepares for interview by reviewing many different ways that his experience will benefit facility. He puts together a few examples of how he successfully recommended or used one type of fitness equipment more effectively than a different type. Joe puts together mental notes about how aerobics and group exercise classes have added success to his training programs over years, and how incorporating a cross training approach has kept his clients motivated and continually seeing results from their training programs.

By this point, Joe's confidence in his ability to be a "Director of Fitness Programming" has increased, and he honestly believes that it is not him who is being interviewed, but it is he who is interviewing facility. Joe doesn't need this job - he has proven his ability to make a living as a personal trainer dozens of times over years. He is applying for this position because he believes that he can be a great asset to facility, and he wants to expand his experience in field. In fact, facility would be lucky to have him! For that matter, he may already be considering countering posted pay scale with an increase if they want to hire him. After all, he is Joe Trainer, and his success record speaks for itself!

Now, do you think Joe will get job? Pretty safe bet.

Is Joe Trainer in first example any different than Joe Trainer using second approach? No - we're talking about same person. What is different then? Joe's belief in himself - and more importantly - Joe's ability to show facility how they would be missing a great opportunity if they didn't hire him. It is Joe who is interviewing facility, not other way around. Joe assumed a "Position of Power" before he even got to his interview. He walked out with a new title and a nice salary, an increased confidence in his own abilities, and opportunity to mold an entire staff of personal trainer into successful, results-oriented Fitness Professionals!

This same concept can also be applied when negotiating with potential new clients. Remember that you are fitness professional. You are one with knowledge and experience that client needs. You are not asking them to be your clients, but rather you are giving them opportunity to become your clients.

Conclusion

As you can see, as Fitness Professionals in ever-growing field of health and physical fitness, we have many tools at our disposal when it comes to positioning ourselves as experts. However, we have an equal amount of responsibility to not utilize these tools unless we are 100% confident in our status as experts in our chosen disciplines. Use your knowledge and your tools wisely and appropriately, and you will see your professional and personal success grow beyond your wildest dreams!