Psychology plays a big role when working with clients. Men and women often respond differently to feedback—your approach should reflect that.

Women tend to be more sensitive than men, so it’s important to be delicate when delivering a “negative” message. If their body mass index or waist girth is high, frame it as a potential health concern backed by research. The way you communicate matters—be kind, understanding, and avoid anything that could come across as condescending.

With men, however, don’t be afraid to hit them below the belt—especially if they’re carrying too much weight above the belt! If you’ve built rapport, a direct challenge can be effective: “You’ve fallen off the wagon and need to lose that gut!” A straightforward, no-nonsense approach often gets them fired up to take action. Try that with a female client, though, and you might not get the same response.

Of course, you must always conduct yourself in a professional manner. With females, be objective, non-judgmental, and be nice. Go ahead and be objective and non-judgmental with males as well, but if the situation warrants it, don’t be too nice!