The Best Time to Fix Your Food Plan Isn't When You Think It Is.

Back in April 1998, when I was a bright eyed, bushy tailed new trainer, I had a vision. That vision included not only getting all my future clients in the best shape possible, but to help them eat in a way that made them much healthier and laid the foundation that allowed the first goal become a reality. It was a lovely dream.

Even though, at 36, I was no immature rube with Pollyanna fantasies that I could shake up my little corner of the world, I was in for a rude awakening. It wasn't hard to attract clients and it was usually a manageable task to get them to execute the training program.

But coaching them to eat more healthfully was a whole different ball game.

What I've learned over the years is that, for most, orchestrating a significant change in someone else's eating style falls somewhere between convincing them to fund raise for their opposing political party and swapping their own kids out for random ones off the street.

I had come from a previous career of high tech corporate finance management. And while work in that field can be chaotic and, at times, even wildly unpredictable, there is built-in incentive to "work the plan". Job security and a continuing upward trajectory of your earnings generally preclude flat-out rejection of valuable expert guidance.

So, here I sit, like many who have dedicated decades to study and experimentation in my chosen field, knowing how much I can help so many people in deeply profound and life-enhancing ways, patiently waiting and hoping to dispense said wisdom to as many as will present themselves to bask in the glow of my knowledge.

And what I've realized through the years is that for those who were ready and put the principles I advocate to work, they have enjoyed and reveled in the effects of those practices; they are changed forever and are converts for life. When we talk they honor me with their gratitude and conviction of the value of what we accomplished, and what they continue to preserve, for life.

So that's a pretty great form of compensation, right? I know that when the next person is "ready", I'm here and ready too.

And that's enough.

Dan Taylor, ACE, NASM-CPT, is a 20+year fitness trainer and writer, former faculty member for ACE and NASM and owner of Pleasanton-based Tri Valley Trainer. They provide personal training and small group fitness solutions at their studio and an innovative, medically endorsed web-based group healthy eating coaching program.