Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness

by Dawn Clifford PhD, Laura Curtis MS, RD

Overview

The go-to reference and practice guide for using motivational interviewing (MI) to enhance conversations about nutrition and fitness is now in a thoroughly revised second edition with 70% new material. Easy to incorporate into everyday interactions, 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 the dos and don'ts of counseling clients about meal planning and preparation, exercise, body image, disordered eating, and more. Supplemental reproducible handouts can be downloaded and printed from the companion website. In addition, instructors who adopt the book for courses receive access to PowerPoint slides, worksheets, and exam questions.

New to This Edition

• Chapters on medical nutrition therapy, health coaching, follow-up sessions, and counselor health and boundaries. 
• Restructured to reflect developments in MI and the authors' training approach; includes new and revised sample dialogues. 
• Increased attention to weight stigma and social determinants of health, such as racism and unequal access to health care. 
• Expanded companion website, now including resource links and an online-only chapter, "What to Do When There's Little Time," in addition to 17 handouts. 

This book is in the Applications of Motivational Interviewing series, edited by Stephen Rollnick, William R. Miller, and Theresa B. Moyers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462557738
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	08/07/2025
Series:	Applications of Motivational Interviewing Series
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	321
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dawn Clifford, PhD, RD, is Professor in the Health Sciences Department at Northern Arizona University and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. Her research focuses on motivational interviewing (MI), health coaching, and weight-inclusive approaches to health and well-being. Dr. Clifford has been published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Nutrition in Clinical Practice, the Journal of American College Health, the Health Education Journal, and the Recreational Sports Journal. In addition, she has created continuing education curricula in MI for Medbridge and Skelly Skills.

Laura Curtis, MS, RD, is Lecturer of Nutrition and Food Science and Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics at California State University, Chico, where she teaches in the areas of nutrition counseling, medical nutrition therapy, and food service management. In addition to her teaching, Ms. Curtis maintains a small private practice where she provides nutrition counseling for those struggling with disordered eating as well as medical nutrition therapy for a variety of nutrition-related conditions. She pairs motivational interviewing (MI) with a weight-inclusive approach to nutrition counseling anchored in the principles of intuitive eating and eating competence.

Table of Contents

Introduction
I. Motivational Interviewing Basics
1. The Complexities of Change
2. The Spirit of Motivational Interviewing
II. Mastering the Skills of Motivational Interviewing
3. Open Questions
4. Reflective Practice
5. Affirmations
III. The Four Tasks of Motivational Interviewing
6. Engaging
7. Focusing
8. Evoking
9. Planning
10. When Clients Aren’t So Sure about Change
IV. Putting Motivational Interviewing to Work
11. Motivational Interviewing in Medical Nutrition Therapy
12. Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition Counseling
13. Motivational Interviewing to Address Weight Concerns
14. Motivational Interviewing in Fitness Counseling
15. Motivational Interviewing in Health Coaching
V. Beyond the Basics
16. Follow-Up Sessions
17. Counselor Health and Boundaries
References
Index

Interviews

Dietitians, health and wellness coaches, fitness counselors, eating disorders specialists, and exercise psychologists; students and instructors in these areas. Also of interest to nurses, physicians, and diabetes educators. May serve as a supplemental text for courses in nutrition, dietetics, exercise science/kinesiology, and related areas.

Editorial Reviews

"It is a useful tool and resource for new and seasoned healthcare professionals alike." (on the first edition)

Doody's Review Service

"The second edition of this excellent, compelling book provides needed tools for students, interns, and professionals in fields that provide nutrition and fitness counseling. What makes this book special is its focus on weight inclusivity and a non-diet approach to nutrition and fitness, so often left out of other guidebooks. And what makes it extraordinary is the compassion, respect, and kindness presented throughout. By offering the connection that clients so desperately need, and honoring their autonomy and internal wisdom, practitioners learn how to motivate clients to access their reasons for change, their goals, and their values. Using MI can help clients make sustainable, lifelong changes that lead to increased well-being."—Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDS-S, FAND, nutrition therapist; co-creator of Intuitive Eating

"Behavior change is complex, and the authors brilliantly unpack this complexity. This book provides tangible, ready-to-use language, making it easier to translate MI principles into practice. Practitioners can use the real-life examples to critically analyze and break down the differences between an MI and a non-MI communication approach and relate these dialogues and scenarios to their practice. The book challenges readers to reflect on their own growth while offering strategies to enhance client autonomy, confidence, and engagement for both individual and group sessions. If you want to truly support your clients in meaningful ways, this book is essential."—Joyce Faraj-Ardura PhD, MS, RDN, LDN, private practice, The Nutrition Counseling Academy

“If I had only one book to recommend to health and fitness professionals on how to approach nutrition and fitness counseling, this would be it. The authors have blended the sciences of health and psychology with the art of using MI skills proficiently and compassionately. A brilliant resource!”—Sumner Brooks, MPH, RDN, founder, EDRD Pro (Eating Disorder Registered Dietitians and Professionals)

 "This book is an essential addition to the library of nutrition and fitness professionals committed to integrating evidence-based, person-centered counseling into their practice. The updated second edition provides a comprehensive yet practical guide to applying MI principles, equipping practitioners with actionable strategies and concrete examples tailored to the fields of nutrition and fitness. With chapters on setting-specific applications across the healthcare continuum, this book offers valuable insights for professionals in diverse practice environments."—Lloyd Berg, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin

From the Publisher

"The MI perspective teaches practitioners to position sessions in a way that inspires clients to take ownership of their health by prioritizing changes clients feel are most important. A broad audience of health professionals, students, and interns will find this book a thorough resource and guide to the strategies essential to MI….This publication is generous with helpful practitioner–client scenarios and an appendix of counseling and MI resources. Downloadable handouts are a particularly valuable component of this book….At first read, the practitioner will have a good idea of how to incorporate MI in practice. Subsequent readings will allow practitioners to further develop and hone in on their techniques. Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness is a practical, user-friendly resource for practitioners and students interested in developing MI techniques using a weight-neutral approach. Educators searching for appropriate textbooks to adopt would find this a beneficial addition to the classroom.

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior