The Questions Everyone Should Ask Before Starting a New Health Programme In September.
I hear the same sentence.
“I’ll start after the summer holidays.”
Sometimes it’s after the children go back to school, or it’s after a holiday, or it’s after a birthday, or it’s simply because life feels too busy right now. And do you know what?
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with deciding September is the right time to focus on yourself.
In fact, it can be a brilliant time to start. But here’s what I don’t want you to do.
I don’t want you to spend August doing nothing. Instead, I’d love you to spend the next few weeks asking yourself one simple question.
Who is the right person to help me?
Not every programme is right for every woman/person.
The programme your friend loved might not suit your lifestyle. The gym everyone is talking about may not be what you need. The latest online challenge might promise dramatic results in a matter of weeks, but ask yourself…
Is it really solving the problem, or simply offering a quick fix? The goal isn’t to find the best programme.
It’s to find the best programme for you.
Sometimes it’s tempting to choose the programme that promises the fastest results. Lose a stone in six weeks. Drop a dress size before your holiday. Transform your body in 30 days. But lasting health is rarely built that way. Yes, almost any increase in physical activity can improve your health. Yes, creating a calorie deficit can lead to weight loss.
But neither of those automatically teaches you why you’re making those choices, how to maintain them, or what happens once the programme ends.
Equally, be mindful of programmes that offer the same plan to everyone simply because it’s easier or more cost-effective to deliver. Your body isn’t generic, neither is your lifestyle, neither are your goals.
The right coach, therapist or healthcare professional should take time to understand you before recommending what you should do.
Because long-term health isn’t built by following someone else’s programme.
It’s built by understanding your own body and making informed decisions that you can maintain for years to come.
Before You Commit…
Whether you’re thinking about joining a gym, starting Pilates, working with a personal trainer or investing in a lifestyle programme, ask a few questions first.
Do they understand your stage of life?
A woman preparing for pregnancy has very different needs from a woman experiencing menopause.
Someone recovering after having children doesn’t need the same support as someone wanting to improve their relationship with food.
Research has consistently shown that women experience unique physiological changes throughout life, affecting muscle mass, bone health, metabolism and exercise response. A personalised approach is more likely to meet individual needs than a one-size-fits-all programme. Organisations such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the British Menopause Society emphasise tailoring exercise recommendations to age, health status and life stage.
Ask yourself: “Does this programme recognise where I am in life?”
Are they qualified to help you?
Qualifications are important. Experience is important. But neither should be considered in isolation.
When choosing someone to support your health, don’t be afraid to ask questions such as:
- What qualifications do you hold?
- Are you a registered fitness or healthcare professional?
- If you’re a fitness professional, are you registered with CIMSPA (The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity)?
- Do you regularly work with women at my stage of life?
- How long have you been supporting clients with similar goals?
- Do you continue to update your knowledge through professional development and further training?
- Would you be happy to show me your qualifications or certificates if I asked?
A genuine professional will never be offended by these questions. In fact, they’ll usually be pleased that you’re taking your health seriously.
Remember, an impressive social media presence or clever marketing doesn’t always tell you what’s happening behind the scenes. Take time to look beyond the posts and videos and ask about the knowledge, experience and approach that sits underneath.
You’re trusting someone with your health, you deserve to feel confident that they’re the right person to support you.
Do they listen before they prescribe?
This is perhaps the most important question.
If someone gives you a programme before they’ve asked about your health, lifestyle, injuries, goals or concerns…
How can they possibly know it’s the right one?
Every woman deserves to feel listened to. Your body, your goals, your story. Not somebody else’s.
Would you prefer group classes or one-to-one support?
Neither is better.
They’re simply different.
Some women thrive in the energy of a group.
Others want privacy, confidence and individual attention before joining a class.
Think about how you learn best.
The right environment often makes all the difference.
What support will you receive?
Many programmes tell you what to do. Fewer explain why. The best coaches educate as well as instruct. When you understand your body, healthy decisions become much easier to make.
Research into behaviour change consistently shows that people are more likely to maintain healthy habits when they understand the reasons behind them and feel involved in the decision-making process, rather than simply following instructions. Self-determination theory highlights the importance of autonomy, competence and relatedness in sustaining motivation over time.
Ask Yourself…
Before committing to any programme, consider these questions:
- Do I feel listened to?
- Does this programme suit my stage of life?
- Is it realistic for my lifestyle?
- Can I imagine myself enjoying it in six months’ time?
- Will I learn something about myself?
- Does it make me feel encouraged rather than judged?
If the answer is yes…You’ve probably found a good place to start.
And If You Haven’t…
Keep asking questions.
Your health deserves more than guesswork.
It deserves confidence.
It deserves understanding.
Most importantly, it deserves a programme that feels right for you.
I’d Love to Help—Even If You Never Become My Client
If you’re researching programmes over the next few weeks and you’re unsure what questions to ask…
Send me a message.
Seriously.
Tell me what you’re considering.
Tell me what worries you.
Tell me what doesn’t make sense.
I’ll happily answer your questions honestly. Because, I’m not the right trainer for everyone. I have my specialisms too. Cardiac rehab, diabetes including gestational diabetes, and joint replacement exercises. These all mould into menopause too.
Not because I expect you to join one of my programmes. Because I genuinely want to help as much as I can, even if that means referring potential clients to someone else’s programme. Because every woman/person deserves to make an informed decision about her health.
If this blog helps you find the right support—even if it isn’t with me—then it’s done exactly what I hoped it would.I’ll start after the summer holidays.”
Book an appointment with Laura here