I did it. I stole her diary. She’s one of our clients and she doesn’t have a clue!
I’m posting a few pages here today. Her fears, her desires, and her private, innermost feelings will be revealed here. I couldn’t help myself. What am I gonna do when she finds out?
From the diary of Anonymous, 12-01-12:
Dear Diary,
I’ve been feeling really good lately. Some days it’s really a challenge with my new exercise program, but I’m starting to notice the results, so that’s good.
Jeff totally killed me today. I didn’t think I was gonna be able to finish the workout. Somehow I managed. He says my form is really good and I’m “isolating the muscle” better, whatever that means!
I know the workouts are good for me, but some days I swear I’d like to just smack that smug little smile off his face! He’s a nice guy though, and seems to be a great trainer.
The nutrition part is really tough. I don’t know how I’m supposed to manage six days without having sugar. Jeff said I can have a cheat day and I thought, “really? Just one?” Some days it’s really hard, but I’ve been applying myself and I think I’m doing really well.
Sometimes, during out training session, he’ll tell me to do something and I’ll just think, “you’ve got to be kidding.” But I don’t want to look like a wimp so I do it anyway. I might be impressed with myself if I didn’t also wonder “what the heck have I gotten myself into?” I mean, I must be crazy!
Oh well, I guess if it makes me thin, it might be worth it. Is it? Could this really be the price of beauty?
Does everybody go through this I wonder? Some mornings I’ll wake up in pain and think, “this is supposed to be good for me?” One day my legs were so sore that I fell trying to get out of bed! I guess I’ll just take it one day at a time and see what happens.
All the trainers at the gym are very encouraging and they seem to think I’m doing really great. I bet they say that to everybody though. Anyway, I’ll let you know how tomorrow goes…
13-01-12
Dear Diary,
Today was not a good day. My boss dropped all these papers on my desk at the last minute. I had to stay late to work through everything. Not only did I miss my workout, but I had a date square with my coffee! I feel gross now. Maybe I wasn’t cut out for this. It was easier before. I felt fat, but at least I could still enjoy a couple of glasses of wine and a few squares of chocolate with my dinner! And after all of my hard work and sacrifice, at my first weigh-in I lost 6 pounds. What the f**k?! I am feeling a lot better though.
Now Jeff is gonna ask me and I’ll have to tell him the truth that I cheated. He’s probably gonna kill me with the workout. I mean I literally might not survive, this could be the last time I write to you, diary.
Seriously though, maybe I should make up an excuse to not go? I could say I have too much work or I’m tired, or I’m not feeling well, or something. At least that way I could sneak in a few more days of good eating, do some cardio, and report good news. That might work.
Does everybody go through this?
Oh well, I guess I won’t quit just yet. I need my training sessions. On my own I’d probably just give up. I’m scared and a bit overwhelmed, but I started this and I’m going to see it through! I won’t give that cocky bastard the satisfaction. You’ll never break me, asshole!
End of Diary Sample
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This is the result of a thought experiment. I’m having a little fun with it of course. I’m not going for 100% accuracy. But I asked myself, what would it feel like to walk a mile in the shoes of a new trainee?
I’m a huge fan of Dr. Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The 5th habit is seek first to understand, then to be understood.
I work hard at understanding the people I train. I strive to enter their minds and learn about their habitual thought processes. What I’ve discovered through my many years of working with people is that I can’t respond to their problems by using my own filters. They’re not me, and they don’t think like me.
But if I can figure out how to think like they do, then I can speak to them in their own language. I’m always working on this, but with the years I’m getting better at it, and it’s made me a more effective coach.
The question I’d like to leave you with is this: what relationships in your life, be they working relationships or personal relationships, could benefit from a little bit more empathic understanding on your part? What would a page in your family member’s, your friend’s, or your coworker’s diary look like?
To Your Success,
Conor Kelly














