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Senior-Fall-Prevention

Fall Prevention: It’s Not Just Physical!

/6 September 2022/ All MFN blog/
Facts About Falls (cdc.gov)

As a fitness professional or caregiver, what are you doing to help reduce the risk for falls? You may be reinforcing the importance of exercises that promote strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility, but are you aware that decreasing fall risk requires a multi-pronged approach? It’s time to reimagine what we know about reducing falls to better serve our clients of all ages and fitness levels.

Are you aware of these crucial fall risks and are you infusing these fall prevention best practices?

1. Proprioception

What is proprioception? Proprioception is the ability of your muscles and joints to determine where they are in space. The proprioceptive nerve endings in the body provide us with the information of where our hands, arms, and legs are in space without having to look at them. 1

Proprioception results from sensory receptors in your nervous system and body. Most of these receptors are located in your muscles, joints, and tendons, and when you move, the

receptors send detailed messages to your brain about your positions and actions. Your brain processes these messages and works with your vision, nervous system, and vestibular system to create your perception of where your body is and how you’re moving.2

As a fitness professional, it is important to address coordination and balance issues through various modalities when designing a movement session. For example, incorporating proprioception specific movements will not only reduce muscle deterioration, but also reduce risk of injuries from falls.

Have you tried these?

  • Tai chi or Vinyasa Flow Yoga can boost proprioception in the legs
  • Seated or Standing Core exercises to increase balance
  • Pushing & Pulling (compresses & stretches nerve endings) to increase stability
  • Self-hugging and releasing, squeezing playdough or touching fingers together for body awareness
  • Stack objects like books and practice carrying them from one place to another
  • Eyes Closed Prompted Movements: “Touch Left Elbow with Right Pointer Finger”

2. Brain Health

“In older people who had no signs of disease that would make them prone to falls, higher levels of activity in the front of the brain, called the prefrontal cortex, were associated with a higher risk of falls later in life.” 3 The prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain where goal setting and decision-making takes place, is just one part of the brain that has been linked to fall risk.

These exercises help to light up the prefrontal cortex and other parts of the brain responsible for improving reaction time, coordination and balance.

  • Dual-Tasking
    • Add questions or engage in conversation
    • Listen to Music with or without words
    • Tell stories and ask comprehension questions
    • Play “Alphabet” or various memory games
    • Number exercises and call out numbers
      • ie. Right punch #1, Left punch #2, Right Kick #3, Left Kick #4

3. Hydration/Nutrition

In a 2015-2018 study by the CDC, “US adults drank an average of 44 ounces” of water, well below the recommended amount of fluid intake for a day. 4 As a fitness professional, being aware of the risk for dehydration is the first step to averting it. While dehydration can have serious mental and physical consequences, it is important to know that it is both preventable and treatable.

Many people, especially seniors, resist drinking a lot of water because they worry about falling if they have to take frequent trips to the bathroom. In fact, dehydration may even occur due to the fear of falling if they worry about getting up multiple times at night.. Whatever the

reason, having an ongoing conversation about hydration should be built into your daily programming.5 You have the ability to ease their fears about increasing hydration to reduce falls.

Are you asking these questions?

  • How many glasses of water did you drink today? Are you also drinking electrolytes?
  • Do you frequently feel thirsty throughout the day? When?
  • What other foods are you eating that contain mostly water? Fruits? Vegetables?
  • Are you keeping a water bottle or glass of water near you throughout the day?
  • What concerns you about adding more water to your daily routine? Falls? Why?
  • Can you add more fruits and vegetables to your diet so you stay hydrated longer?

4. Environmental

Perhaps one of the most important, and oftentimes overlooked, fall prevention best practice is analyzing one’s physical environment.6 Reminding clients about the hidden dangers and fall risks present in and around their home may significantly reduce fall risk and prevent life-threatening injuries. Creating an inventory of common environmental risks is a great start!

Are you constantly asking them about their environment and how to make it more safe?

  • What kinds of routine activities do you perform every day?
    • Do you walk to the bathroom at night or rush to answer a phone call?
  • Are there obstacles on the ground within the home environment?
    • Pets? Small tables? Plants? Boxes? Shoes?
  • Is their adequate lighting throughout your home?
    • Nightlights? Hallways? Stairways? Outdoors?
  • Are the floors and/or floor coverings slippery or could snag?
    • Slick Flooring? Throw rugs? Thresholds?

In summary, knowledge is power and consistency is key when it comes to fall prevention. While it is paramount to create safe and effective cardiovascular, strength, balance and flexibility programs, it is equally important to address factors such as proprioception, brain health, hydration and environment? The time is now to educate yourself to best help “fall proof” your clients!

Christine M. Conti, M.Ed, BA is and international fitness educator and presenter. She currently sits on the MedFit Education Advisory Board and has been nominated to be the 2020 MedFit Network Professional of the Year. She is the author of the MedFit Classroom Arthritis Fitness Specialist Course and is the CEO and founder of ContiFit.com and Let’s FACE It Together™ Facial Fitness & Rehabilitation. Christine is also the co-host of Two Fit Crazies & A Microphone Podcast and the co-owner of TFC Podcast Production Co. She is also the best-selling author of SPLIT-SECOND COURAGE.

References

  1. “What is Proprioception?” Your Therapy Source. 22, August 2022. What is proprioception? – Your Therapy Source
  2. Brennan, Dan, MD. “What is Proprioception?” 27, November, 2021. Proprioception: What It Is, Disorder, Symptoms, and More (webmd.com)
  3. “Brain Activity May Predict Risk of Falls in Older People.” American Academy of Neurology. 7. December, 2016. 26. August, 2022. Brain Activity May Predict Risk of Falls in Older People (aan.com)
  4.  “Get the Facts: Data and Research on Water Consumption.” Center For Disease Control. 7. June, 2022.  Get the Facts: Data and Research on Water Consumption | Nutrition | CDC
  5. “Dehydration in Elderly People: Risks, Warming Signs, and Prevention Tips,” Great Senior Living. 7, June, 2021. Dehydration in Elderly People: Risks, Signs & Prevention (greatseniorliving.com)
  6. Buxton, William G., MD. “Fall Prevention & Balance Treatment.” Pacific Brain Health Center. 22 December, 2021. Fall Prevention & Balance Treatment | Pacific Brain Health Center
Paper-Heart

Are You At Risk? The Link Between Autoimmune Disease & Heart Health

/17 June 2022/ All MFN blog/

Severe RA Doubles the Risk of Heart Disease1

In the last few decades, researchers discovered that the burden autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) puts on the joints during the first year of diagnosis is a strong predictor of heart disease.2 In fact, it is recommended that doctors who diagnose patients with RA should also be addressing potential heart risks.

There have been several new studies from the Mayo Clinic that show a strong connection between inflammation and heart health. Therefore, it is important to address both conditions at the same time.

Dr. Eric Matteson, chair of rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic, says that people with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions are at a much higher risk of heart disease. In fact, people with severe RA are twice as likely to develop heart disease. Matteson believes that the inflammatory process of arthritis plays a key role in maintaining a healthy heart.

Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, it is imperative that you meet with a cardiologist. Autoimmune diseases are known to not only affect the joints in your body by causing painful stiffness and inflammation, but also negatively affect major organs such as the heart.

One symptom that can develop from an autoimmune disease diagnosis such as RA is vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels that move blood throughout the body. “As the blood vessels become inflamed, their walls thicken, limiting how much blood can pass through them. As a result, if blood flow is restricted, this could cause significant damage to tissues and organs.” 3

Because rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) is a non-joint-related inflammatory complication of RA, it can affect anyone.4 If you or a loved one have been suffering with RA for many years and developed severe joint damage and deformity, it is important to make an appointment to get your heart checked.

What causes vasculitis?

Researchers are not sure exactly what causes rheumatoid vasculitis. Like RA itself, most cases of RV can be considered autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.

Several factors are thought to play a role in whether a person with RA will go on to develop RV, including whether you have:

  • Severe, long-standing RA for 10 or more years
  • Seropositive RA (a high concentration of rheumatoid factor antibodies and certain proteins in the blood)
  • A history of smoking cigarettes, which can damage the blood vessels’ lining
  • Felty syndrome, a complication of rheumatoid arthritis that results in low white blood cell levels and an enlarged spleen
  • Rheumatoid nodules, firm lumps under the skin that form around the joints

The Facts

According to the CDC:

  • One out of every four people in the United States dies from heart disease.
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic.
  • One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
  • People with autoimmune diseases are at a much greater risk for heart disease.
  • Making lifestyle changes to your diet, exercise, sleep and stress greatly reduces risk.
  • In some cases, medicine reduces risk.5

Therefore, if you or a loved one suffer from an autoimmune disease, be sure to schedule an appointment with a trusted cardiologist for a check-up. The most important step you can take to reduce your risk for developing heart disease is taking action.

Christine M. Conti, M.Ed, BA is and international fitness educator and presenter. She currently sits on the MedFit Education Advisory Board and has been nominated to be the 2020 MedFit Network Professional of the Year. She is the author of the MedFit Classroom Arthritis Fitness Specialist Course and is the CEO and founder of ContiFit.com and Let’s FACE It Together™ Facial Fitness & Rehabilitation. Christine is also the co-host of Two Fit Crazies & A Microphone Podcast and the co-owner of TFC Podcast Production Co.

References

  1. Krans, B. (2013, October 27). Mayo Clinic: Ra can drastically impact heart health. Healthline. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/arthritis-ra-raises-your-risk-of-heart-disease-102713
  2. Krans, B. (2013, October 27). Mayo Clinic: Ra can drastically impact heart health. Healthline. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/arthritis-ra-raises-your-risk-of-heart-disease-102713
  3. Menard, V., & Teitel, A. D. (2021, May 6). Vasculitis: The risks of ra inflammation. myRAteam. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.myrateam.com/resources/vasculitis-the-risks-of-ra-inflammation
  4. Menard, V., & Teitel, A. D. (2021, May 6). Vasculitis: The risks of ra inflammation. myRAteam. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.myrateam.com/resources/vasculitis-the-risks-of-ra-inflammation
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 7). Heart disease facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
trainer-resistance-band-senior-woman-client

So, your doctor told you to start exercising! Now what?

/2 March 2022/ All MFN blog/

Have you ever been given this very simple, yet incredibly complicated advice from your doctor? 

“You could really benefit from starting an exercise program.” 

If so, you are lucky to have a doctor who understands the power of exercise! In fact, exercise has been proven to help prevent diseases, reduce pain, decrease dependency on medications and improve overall quality of life. (1) The benefits are seemingly endless. However, are you someone who hasn’t the slightest clue as to what to do next? Where should you go? Who should you ask for help? Fear not, because you are not alone! Take a deep breath and follow these simple steps to begin a safe, effective and lasting exercise program today. 

Identify the Why! 

If a medical professional suggests you begin an exercise program, what is their reasoning behind it? While “obesity is linked to more than 60 chronic diseases”, your doctor may not be suggesting that you need to lose weight, but instead, suggesting that you need to address a specific weakness. (2) Do you have a medical condition where weight loss or improved cardiovascular health could add more quality years to your life or reduce your dependency on medications? Asking your doctor to fully explain these questions will help you understand how specific exercises can improve your physical and mental wellbeing. 

For example, if you have a heightened risk for falls, improving strength and balance is of utmost importance. However, if you are overly dependent on high blood pressure medications, your goal may be to improve cardiovascular health through aerobic activities. If you suffer from chronic pain or various forms of arthritis, the objective of your exercise routine will be more focused on enhancing mobility and flexibility, improving muscle imbalances and strength, as well as assisting with pain management through mindfulness techniques. Knowing your “why” is the first step towards clarifying your “how”. 

Invest in Yourself 

The most important things in life are NOT things. -Anthony D’Angelo 

It is rumored that Tom Brady, better known as the G.O.A.T. and the winningest quarterback in the NFL, spends over a million dollars a year on his health. Odell Beckham Jr., another famous NFL star, says that “I take care of my body each and every day. I put, probably, over $300,000 in my body in the offseason… It’s a lot to upkeep. I don’t ever want to decline.” (3) In all honesty, do you blame these athletes for spending so much money on their health when their health is their livelihood? 

When a medical professional suggests that you begin an exercise program, it is because they believe it will help your overall mental and physical well-being. While you may not be a professional athlete, you may be someone who wishes to remain active and independent for the remainder of your life. Therefore, it is paramount to invest in a certified fitness professional or medical fitness trainer to help create a program that meets your individual needs. 

Think about it like this, when your car needs to be fixed, do you try to fix it yourself or do you seek a certified specialist who will make an educated assessment, create a game plan and implement the necessary changes? I think it is safe to say that you will spend money on your car, but may scoff at the thought of hiring a trainer. What is more important? Things can be replaced, but people are irreplaceable. There are certified fitness professionals in your area you can find via a simple internet search or by posing a question on social media to your local chamber of commerce. With that being said, don’t be afraid to shop around and interview various trainers to make sure they are a good fit for you! 

Find a Match 

Find a job that you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life. -Mark Twain 

Mark Twain was onto something when he spoke about the importance of enjoying what you do! This same principle applies when you set out on an exercise journey. If swimming scares you or you have nightmares about running, then pick exercises that you enjoy. Do you love to dance? Try taking some dance classes! Do you enjoy riding your bike? Let that be a part of your new exercise routine. If you dread your exercise sessions, loathe your trainer or hate every minute of your workout, then it is not going to last. If it feels like work, it’s not going to work! Exercise should be an enjoyable, yet challenging, part of your day! 

In addition, be sure that you take the time to assess how you are feeling and clearly communicate this to your trainer. If you are feeling run down, overly sore, or under-the-weather, your body is trying to tell you something. All of these signs are extremely important when it comes to enjoying the endless benefits of making exercise a part of your life. Now, let’s take action and begin to take control of your health. 

Christine M. Conti, BA, M.Ed, is an international fitness educator and presenter. She currently serves as the Director of Membership for MedFit Network, sits on the MedFit Education Advisory Board and is a course author for MedFit Classroom. She is also CEO and founder of ContiFit.com and Let’s FACE It Together™ Facial Fitness & Rehabilitation and co-host of Two Fit Crazies & A Microphone Podcast. 

References

1 Roy-Britt. “How Diet and Exercise Can Prevent Disease. January 8th, 2020. www.elemental.medium.com How Diet and Exercise Can Prevent Disease | Elemental (medium.com)

2 Holland, Kimberly. “Obesity Facts in America.” Healthline. January 18th, 2022. www.healthline.com 

3 Zeegers, Madilyn. Tom Brady Inspired Odell Beckham Jr. to Invest in his Body. April 6th, 2020. Tom Brady Inspired Odell Beckham Jr. to Invest in His Body (sportscasting.com)

female-trainer-senior-client-exercise-ball

Flip the Script: How Fitness Professionals Can Overcome Challenging Clients

/24 September 2021/ All MFN blog/

If you are a fitness or medical fitness professional, there is a good chance you have heard one or more of the following statements at least once in your career. In fact, there is also a good chance you have heard these statements on a daily basis. 

1. I am a little tired and my muscles are a little sore from our last session, so I am going to cancel today and rest. 

2. I don’t want to do “that exercise” because I have never done it before.

3. My doctor told me that I should not be squatting, bending, reaching, twisting, etc… 

Many of you reading this article can relate to at least one of the above and may have even let out a slight sigh of frustration when it comes to overcoming challenging clients. Overwhelming amounts of research show that exercise can help to improve your health and fitness without hurting your joints.(1) With your current treatment program, exercise can: 

  • Strengthen the muscles around your joints 
  • Help you maintain bone strength 
  • Give you more energy to get through the day 
  • Make it easier to get a good night’s sleep 
  • Help you control your weight 
  • Enhance your quality of life 
  • Improve your balance 

However, many of our clients still believe that exercise will aggravate their joint pain and stiffness, but that is not the case. Lack of exercise actually can make your joints even more painful and stiff.(2) If the muscles and surrounding tissue are strong, it helps to maintain support for your bones. Choosing not to exercise weakens those supporting muscles, creating more stress on your joints. 

While fitness and medical fitness professionals understand the importance of exercise, the way we translate this to our clients is key. Oftentimes, clients receive misinformation along with mixed messages from doctors, family members, friends, and of course, social media. However, after decades of both academic and professional research working with special demographics, I have discovered a powerful technique to increase clients’ willingness to improve their health through exercise. The answer lies not only in showing the client how each exercise emulates real-life situations, but also how it affects their independence.

For example, telling a client, “Today we will be working on how to safely and effectively execute a squat,” is a lot different than saying, “Today we will be practicing our sit to stand movements so that you have the lower body strength and flexibility to rise from your favorite chair without assistance.” 

Most importantly, it is important to reiterate to your client that their lack of strength, mobility, and balance leads to a more sedentary lifestyle that will decrease their ability to function independently as time progresses. Additionally, muscle atrophy, joint immobility and poor flexibility are key indicators that functional movements, or movements that are required to perform everyday tasks, will soon be a thing of the past.

If a client is unwilling to perform various exercises, here are some conversation starters:

  1. Did you know that this is not just an exercise, but one of the foundational movements to support strength, balance and flexibility in your everyday life?
  2. Do you know the definition of functional fitness?
  3. Do you know that this isn’t just an exercise, but will help you walk up and down the stairs, get up from a seat, carry your groceries, and pick up a grandchild?
  4. Are you ready to give up your independence? 

Christine M. Conti, BA, M.Ed, is an international fitness educator and presenter. She currently serves as the Director of Membership for MedFit Network, sits on the MedFit Education Advisory Board and is a course author for MedFit Classroom. She is also CEO and founder of ContiFit.com and Let’s FACE It Together™ Facial Fitness & Rehabilitation and co-host of Two Fit Crazies & A Microphone Podcast. 

Check out Christine’s online course with MedFit Classroom, Arthritis Fitness Specialist:

References

  1. CDC: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2021, April 5). Benefits of Physical Activity. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved September 10, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm
  2. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Exercising With Arthritis: Improve Your Joint Pain and Stiffness. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved September 9, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis/art-20047971
Young woman having knee pain

Rolling to Fight Arthritis!

/13 April 2021/ All MFN blog/

“By the year 2040, an estimated 78.4 million (25.9% of the projected total adult population) adults aged 18 years and older will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis” (Hootman JM, Helmick CG, Barbour KE, Theis KA, Boring MA)

The time is now! Let’s talk about how to prevent the onset and symptoms of various forms of arthritis through myofascial release!

What is myofascial release?  

It is a type of physical therapy often used to treat myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder caused by sensitivity and tightness in your myofascial tissues. These tissues surround and support the muscles throughout your body that are affected by arthritis.

What is fascia tissue? 

This holds the muscle together and keeps them in the correct place. The fascia separates the muscles so they can work independently of each other. The fascia provides a lubricated surface so that the muscles can move smoothly against each other. When fascia is constricted, it prevents blood flow and decreases circulation.

What parts of the body can I roll?

  • Head, Face & Neck
  • Shoulders, Chest Arms, Wrists & Hands
  • Upper & Lower Back, Hips, Glutes, Thighs, Knees, Ankles, Feet

What is the Benefit of Rollga Rolling My Face & Neck? 

Rolling for Youth Preservation: First, let’s discuss regaining a rejuvenated look for our skin. When looking at what causes skin aging, it is a slowing down of circulation of blood. As noted by the NIH, this consists of a slowing in the circulation of nutrient-rich blood and detoxifying lymph and increasingly sluggish skin-cell turnover; the skin becomes more “stagnant.”

Rolling the Face. When “rolling” the face, be sure to apply gentle to medium pressure. The two main points of tension are in the superficial fascia and the other is lymph. Lymph is a highly underrated circulatory system within the body that is responsible for detoxifying waste from the skin on a cellular level, in addition to its many, many other functions. When holding tension in the muscles and fascia, lymph cannot move freely and do its job of clearing out waste from the tissue. The result of poor lymph flow can present as dull skin, an accumulation of blackheads and milia, and/or stubborn hyperpigmentation, and more. Superficial fascia is the layer of connective tissue right under the skin on the face. It acts as the support and infrastructure for your skin and is responsible for giving it “lift and tone.” It can also carry a lot of tension and adhesions that restrict circulation of blood and lymph. If you’ve ever used a foam roller on tight legs, think of how much softer one leg feels after rolling when compared to the unrolled leg. Foam rolling is a form of self-administered myofascial release, and that is EXACTLY what we want to do for the face.

Rolling for Neck Tension. The neck is the superhighway of ALL circulation to and from the face. A tight neck acts like a traffic jam between the body to face and back again. This prevents detoxifying lymph from draining as well as it should, and working the neck alone can be major in bringing flow and vitality back to the complexion as well as reducing puffiness in the face. Many people experience a very high level of neck and jaw tension due to everyday stress. Remember that working hard also means you must self-care harder!

Rolling to Fight Arthritis: To reduce the onset of symptoms from various diseases such as arthritis that affect facial and neck muscles, various myofascial release techniques such as Rollga rolling stimulates muscles, improves blood flow and enhances circulation. Because the jaw is a joint that is commonly affected by arthritis, myofascial release eases tension, improves joint mobility and decreases pain while speaking or chewing.

Learn more about Rollga rolling for the face and neck by contacting info@ContiFit.com

Request a manual, attend a workshop, or take an online course to learn about myofascial release with Let’s FACE it Together™ Facial Exercise & Rehabilitation!

Check out the Arthritis Fitness Specialist Online Course from MedFit Classroom.

Reprinted with permission from Christine Conti. Originally printed on rollga.com.

Christine M. Conti, M.Ed, BA is and international fitness educator and presenter. She currently sits on the MedFit Education Advisory Board and has been nominated to be the 2020 MedFit Network Professional of the Year. She is currently writing the MedFit Network Arthritis Fitness Specialist Course and is the CEO and founder of ContiFit.com and Let’s FACE It Together™ Facial Fitness & Rehabilitation. Christine is also the co-host of Two Fit Crazies & A Microphone Podcast and the co-owner of TFC Podcast Production Co.

podcast mics

The Power of Podcasting: Create Your Own Platform & Leverage Your Brand

/15 September 2020/ All MFN blog/

Podcasts are “where it’s at!” Did you know podcasting is now the most effective and cost-efficient marketing tool on the planet?  Podcasts provide wide-scale visibility to exponentially grow your business and increase brand awareness. In fact, the simple act of appearing on an established podcast as a featured guest can drastically improve your SEO and increase clients. Learning how to use this extremely affordable and far-reaching platform to your advantage may be the key to lasting success!

What do I need to know about podcasting? Here are some quick facts!

The Next Generation of Marketing

Forget spending money on print advertisements, billboards, or radio ads. Podcasting is “where it’s at!” Every business needs a podcast! It is effective, targeted, cost and time efficient, super fun marketing!

On-Demand, Passionate & Targeted Content

At any time, listeners can download, subscribe and like their favorite podcasts. Listeners may break up their shows into multiple sessions or listen all at once. Listeners can also search for podcasts based on their personal interests, hobbies, and more.

It’s FREE

Not only is it relatively cheap to produce your very own podcast, but it is FREE for listeners to download and enjoy your show. Provide value to listeners around the world while also promoting your business and brand without asking for payment or initial “buy-in.”

Accessibility

If you own a smartphone, a computer, a tablet, or have access to Wi-Fi, you can download and listen to FREE podcasts.

Opportunity for Intimate Connection

Podcasts allow you to tell “your story” in “your own words” and promote your business, brand, or values at a personal level. This is an opportunity to show empathy, authenticity, and share “your voice” with the world.  Remember, the most successful businesses and products start with a “story.”

Broad Reach

Unlike television, newspapers, radio stations, and print advertisements, podcasts are available around-the-world and not just specific to certain areas. This platform is a must for anyone who conducts business online.

Instant Authority & Credibility

As a fitness or medical professional, it is important to utilize a platform where you can offer valuable resources or information. Podcasts allow for you to be an instant authority in a specific field in addition to promoting your services on a large scale.

Statistics

Podcasts offer analytics that track the number of subscribers to your show as well as the number of downloads for each episode. The more downloads, the more people are learning about you, your mission, your values, and your business.

It’s FUN!

This is YOUR chance to create your own platform! Podcasting allows you to talk about the issues, stories, and topics that are most interesting to you! You can interview fascinating guests and use the podcast as an opportunity to cross-promote your businesses. Most of all, you make the rules and create the podcast format that works for you

Learn more about the power of podcasting and how to create your own platform!

Register now for Christine Conti & Brian Prendergast’s free webinar on this topic. This webinar will provide you with a basic overview of the steps needed to create your own podcast or utilize current podcasts to grow your reach, increase your client base and leverage your brand. Step into the new age of marketing through this cost-effective, time efficient platform!

Christine Conti and Brian Prendergast are co-hosts of Two Fit Crazies & A Microphone Podcast and owners of TFC Podcast Production Co. Christine is the founder of Conti Fitness and Wellness, LLC; Brian Prendergast is the founder and head coach of High Five Health and Fitness. 

 

resistance-bands-in-field

“Tell Me What You Don’t Like About Yourself”

/20 July 2020/ All MFN blog/

A potential client nervously sits down before a very handsome LA plastic surgeon at the beginning of each episode of this extremely popular television show in the early 2000s. The surgeon asks the same question to each patient he meets.,“Tell me what you don’t like about yourself?” The potential client, slightly taken back by the magnitude and depth of this question, details what it is he or she wishes the doctor to change about them.

As a MedFit fitness professional and educator, this particular scenario really resonated with me. In fact, I have spent multiple decades trying to figure out the “WHY” behind the behaviors and mindsets adopted by my clients. What external or internal factors are positively or negatively affecting their ability to make healthy decisions, their ability to feel confident, or their ability to love themselves or others. This is exactly why we all must keep asking, why?

While designing fitness programs to support physical well-being is extremely important, are we providing enough positive reinforcement to encourage clients that “they are enough”? Are we building their confidence and self-worth? Are we empowering their mind and believing in them so hard until they start believing in themselves?

These are the questions we should be asking ourselves when we design fitness programs for the “whole person.”

The Why

Why do people feel the need to drastically change their appearance?

Where do these ideas come from and how will it have a positive effect on their future?

Why is outer appearance still considered more important than overall health when considering recent research to support longevity?

These are just a few questions to consider as a fitness or medical fitness professional as you begin to assess clients and “peel back the onion” to fully understand how you can best support their goals.

The How

If your client suffers from what I refer to as “negative self-talk,” those incessant self-deprecating statements act as a personal bully and obstacle to achieve true happiness — ask them why they feel this way?

Then, continue those “Why” questions until you find out the answers. This may take one whole session, or it may take months of shorter conversations. However, a medical fitness professional has the power to change lives, not only through physical fitness, but mental fitness. Mindset matters!

Consider

1. Is this negative thinking a result of a negative experience or is it being projected on them by others?

2. Ask questions and listen. Only when the fitness professional has developed a trusting, supportive, comfortable, and communicative relationship with their client can the fitness professional begin to understand their “why.”

3. “The way you make your muscles grow is through resistance training, where you work them until your muscle fibers are fatigued and break apart. With proper rest, recovery, and nutrition, those same muscle fibers grow back stronger than they were before. And you grow. The mind and your mindset work the same way.” –Dr. Bryan Price

Christine M. Conti, M.Ed, BA is and international fitness educator and presenter. She currently sits on the MedFit Education Advisory Board and has been nominated to be the 2020 MedFit Network Professional of the Year. She is currently writing the MedFit Network Arthritis Fitness Specialist Course and is the CEO and founder of ContiFit.com and Let’s FACE It Together™ Facial Fitness & Rehabilitation. Christine is also the co-host of Two Fit Crazies & A Microphone Podcast and the co-owner of TFC Podcast Production Co.