4 minute read
A Certification in Group Fitness Can Expand Your Practice ������
KEIRNIN HARRIS
RD, CLE
HUB MANAGER
The field of nutrition is broad and oftentimes all-encompassing� How do we set ourselves apart from our peers and narrow down our area of expertise? On-the-job experience, certifications and advanced degrees are all great ways to expand your knowledge�
You might consider additional certifications that would benefit you in private practice� For instance, having a personal training or group fitness certification may assist dietitians who want to better help their patients build muscle, gain fitness or learn safe exercise habits� A few years ago I decided to get my ACE Group Fitness Instructor certification (GFI)� Being a nutrition business owner, I have been able to set myself apart from my peers by offering both anti-diet, mindful eating nutrition coaching as well as stressrelieving group workouts� I have been able to offer live group fitness instruction via Zoom in addition to posting videos on an online platform� This has allowed me to have multiple streams of income from coaching and workout membership programs� In addition, my clients have access to workouts outside of the nutritionfocused time we have together�
Having a GFI has been a great investment for me and my business but more importantly has allowed for me to be a one-stop shop for my clients� My clients don’t have to go outside their homes for workouts and nutrition coaching� Both the workouts and nutrition coaching can come to them� In a world that is already stressful and busy, it is beneficial for clients to be able to stay home and still make the progress they wish to seek�
Not all certification programs are the same, but depending on your area of expertise you may find that having one could set you apart from your peers and ultimately help your clients even more� At the end of the day we are here to help make our clients’ lives easier and healthier the best way we can, and I have found GFI helps with this�
Keirnin Harris, RD, CLE, owns Ayvell, LLC where she works with women to overcome dieting mindset, reduce inflammation and stress, and increase joyful movement� She is dedicated to helping women feel their best, be their best and learn to love food again� Keirnin currently holds a Certified Lactation Educator and ACE Group Fitness Certification�
My Experience Earning & Using a Credential in Weight Management
GEORGIA GIANNOPOULOS
MS, RD, CSOWM, CDN, SHRM-CP
GUEST AUTHOR
Weight management can be a confusing and controversial topic� Many people with obesity have faced weight bias and stigma which may inhibit them from getting adequate healthcare or accessing resources� For nearly twenty years, I have devoted my education and career to learning about nutrition and weight management and supporting people in their wellbeing journeys�
After becoming a registered dietitian and completing the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s (CDR’s) available certificate of training in weight management, I decided to pursue a Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM) credential� I met the CSOWM eligibility requirements by documenting 2,000 hours of specialty-practice experience in obesity and weight management as a RD within the five-year period leading up to the application� In my opinion, there are no downsides to earning the CSOWM credential� I am grateful that I received reimbursement for the $350 CSOWM exam fee from an employer; however, I would have pursued the credential regardless� CDR’s CSOWM reference list includes many online position statements, guidelines and reports that I downloaded at no cost while preparing for the exam� This made it convenient for me to study while commuting since I could read the content on my iPad� The reference list includes hardcopy publications as well, and people can review the CSOWM exam specifications and content outline before choosing which references to use�
Benefits of earning and maintaining the credential include positioning myself as an expert in the field that I love and continuously staying up-to-date in obesity and weight management developments� First, while preparing for the CSOWM exam I expanded my knowledge of physical activity interventions, including contraindications to exercise and medical clearance, and reaffirmed my expertise in behavioral health interventions� I regularly apply this information while providing individual coaching� Second, the CSOWM content outline and reference list were helpful resources as I revamped the curriculum for a graduate-level nutrition course in weight management that I started teaching in 2019� Third, understanding what research is and is not available as it pertains to weight management has been vital when educating healthcare providers�
What is next for me? I recently completed the Mayo Clinic Wellness Coach Training Program and am preparing to sit for a board exam this fall to earn the National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) credential� This will only further enhance the work that I do as a RD, both with clients one-on-one and in my teaching engagements�
What is next for you?
Georgia Giannopoulos, MS, RD, CSOWM, CDN, SHRM-CP, is the owner of a private practice and teaches a graduate-level nutrition course in weight management at a top university � Georgia loves spending quality time with her family – many times outdoors or at the kitchen table!
