Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness

Making and maintaining lasting changes in nutrition and fitness is not easy for anyone. Yet the communication style of a health professional can make a huge difference. This book presents the proven counseling approach known as motivational interviewing (MI) and shows exactly how to use it in day-to-day interactions with clients. MI offers simple yet powerful tools for helping clients work through ambivalence, break free of diets and quick-fix solutions, and overcome barriers to change. Extensive sample dialogues illustrate specific ways to enhance conversations about meal planning and preparation, exercise, body image, disordered eating, and more. Reproducible forms and handouts can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Dawn Clifford, PhD, RD, is Associate Professor and Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at California State University, Chico. In addition, she co-founded and is currently Director of FitU, a peer mentoring nutrition and exercise counseling program on campus. She received the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award from Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors, a practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dr. Clifford conducts research, has published articles in such journals as Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, and presents widely in the areas of MI and non-diet approaches to health and wellness. She is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT).

Laura Curtis, MS, RD, is Director of Nutritional Services at Glenn Medical Center in Willows, California, where she provides clinical nutrition services to patients in acute care and is a nutrition therapist for the outpatient clinic. In addition, she serves as a preceptor to undergraduate dietetic students and a part-time lecturer at California State University, Chico. As a nutrition therapist, Ms. Curtis provides counseling to patients with such conditions as diabetes, heart disease, and disordered eating, as well as those considering bariatric surgery. She has extensive training in MI and also exposes her clients to non-diet principles of intuitive eating and Health at Every Size.