My first session with any potential client is an interview, I have them talk about what they are wanting to accomplish and what they are willing to do to get there, then I ask them about their experience with exercise, even going back to high school, or further, if necessary. I ask them if they have an event in the future, wedding/class reunion/etc.., that they would like to have some noticable results by. I always encourage them to use measurements, clothing fit and photographs as their gauge for progress as opposed to the scales. Then I use their words and desires to remind them why they are there doing what they are doing when maybe they'd rather be doing something else. I almost always try to tell them no during the interview to plant some realistic expectations into their goal setting. My job is to help them to acheive their goals in the quickest and safest way possible. EG: "No ma'am, you can not lose forty pounds in four weeks while not changing your eating program and walking on the stair master for five minutes a day just because you drink grapefruit juice and wrap your thighs in reynolds wrap. You can expect to make a fifteen pound difference in your appearance and look and feel better with more energy and focus at work and play, as well as an increase in your self esteem."

Hope that helps, best luck in it all.