In a recent article that I wrote for Today’s Dietitian, one of the components that I discussed was how to stand out among your colleagues by making what you offer an “experience” vs. the same old nutrition consultation or group program.

Our society has become extremely entertainment driven. Watch any morning television program with your youngster; after-school program with your teen or the Biggest Loser and you will see what makes people hooked to their television set. You can complain all you want about Celebrity Fit Club or other health and fitness shows not having a “dietitian,” but after watching one of the ADA media reps “do her thing” in an infomercial, I was ready to crawl under my couch in shame. The poor dietitian was dressed and made-up to look dated, while wondering in a sea of fruits and vegetables. Boorrringgg!! Put yourself in your client’s shoes for a moment. What would you like to have happen when you walk in the door of the healthcare professional or any professional to which you were referred? What do you-need-- to make what someone is telling you --stick?


Here’s another example. For those of you who know me well, you know that in addition to practicing as a dietitian I am also a registered yoga teacher. My teacher, Jonny Kest taught us in our yoga teacher training that there is a difference between a “teacher” and an “instructor.” A teacher leaves an impact on you, perhaps tells a story while hammering home a message and leaves you walking out the door enlightened in some way. An instructor basically stands in front of the room, puts you in poses, doesn’t make any connections with his or her students and talks at you in rote. No flash, no dash. If you like yoga, are ever in the suburban Detroit area--or can find a retreat or conference featuring this group-- and have a chance to attend a yoga class at the Center for Yoga, you will never want to go back to your home studio to practice. Jonny Kest and his own trained teachers create an ambiance of enthusiasm as they circulate throughout the entire room, making connections in a yoga flow that is like a dance partnered with modern music to add to the excitement.

Well, one other yoga studio in the country that I am familiar with—At One Yoga in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area of Arizona carries this ambience and excitement as the feeling you get from leaving a class is much similar. Apply this charismatic method in teaching weight management--- a life-long skill and discipline, while capturing full attention and interest.

My newly released Reconnect with Food… unplugged! DVD is a far cry from lecturing about egg white omelets and carrots. In fact, it has nothing to do with “food” but how your relationship with food parallels every other relationship in your life. It is a yoga flow that is like a dance and filled with the opportunity to make connections and partnered with a message carried through the flow. The yoga does not take the place of a “drop in yoga class” at a studio but used here to compliment a regular yoga practice and as a tool to open up one’s heart. “The theme of the class is then brought to a sharing circle where learning and listening creates a shift in thought process. The simulated group on the DVD, a replica of my Reconnect with Food yoga support groups, is unlike most support groups where negative behaviors, victim drams and “bitch sessions” are the focus. Negative behaviors, victim drama and “bitch sessions” have no place at Reconnect with Food. For dietitians, this DVD can be ordered with CPE credits and shows you how to engage and capture the attention of your group participants struggling with weight, food and body image issues.

Another great Jump Start resource is, Punch Up Your Presentations by Marilyn Jess. Your nutrition lecture or group will never be the same after reading this CPE manual.

So give your client an experience! Elicit the, “wow that was great!” response. Make it truly part of spirit so that they feel “lighter” when they leave your presence. They will feel your energy and will be back and bring friends.

About Beverly Price, RD, MA, RYT

Beverly Price is a Registered Dietitian, author, newspaper columnist and public speaker who made a name for herself with her unique approach to nutrition counseling. After 11 years in private practice, she sold Living Better Sensibly -- one of the largest private nutrition practices in the country - to a private nutrition consulting firm, and started Jump Start Consulting specializing in management and marketing strategies for dietitans and other healthcare professionals, along with distance learning products for continuing professional education. Beverly currently operates a private practice, in Huntington Woods-Royal Oak, Michigan, where she specializes in eating disorder recovery and yoga therapy.

Jump Start Consulting, LLC is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).


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