Chubby Trainers & Nutrionists

Monkeyca_Rodriguez

Well.. I know the first impression counts a lot, but we might have to look further than just appearances, I got a gastric surgery last year, and joined the gym a month after, so this is my anniversary month of working out, I have lost 125lb since then. Well, my point is, my nutritionist is chubby, most would say fat, but she knew exactly what I was going through, so she helped me not only to balance my meals, but to do it in a way I will follow her advice, because she felt what I was feeling. I think that her, being chubby, was a key part of my losing weight process.

BTW, you guys are great! I have been here almost a week and your advices are awesome!
:happy:

bahacca

I am of the belief that in order to better yourself in just about every aspect of life, you seek advice from people who are at a place you want to BE, not on the same journey and not behind you. I'm not going to ask financial advice of my friend who lives paycheck to paycheck-unless that is how I want to live. And I'm not going to ask advice of a trainer/nutritionist who is in worse shape than I am. Yes, they may have knowledge, but if they haven't been able to put it to use to EXCEED where I am currently in my fitness/nutrition lifestyle, then to me the knowledge has no base. Just as the friend living paycheck to paycheck can say things like "Well, don't carry a credit card". That is advice that is sound, but am I going to believe him or someone who actually carries no credit card debt and instead teaches me how to use credit to my advantage?

bunsen_honeydew

I know a lot of nurses and they are frequently either overweight or smokers. And frankly, I don't blame/judge them, considering the stresses of their job!

imhungry2012

I wouldnt say it "bothers" me but I definitely notice and and think what you are thinking briefly...but I guess you don't have to practice what you preach! Kind of like a dentist with bad teeth...<<cringe/shiver>>

Tonika44137

I agree with you 100% which is why myself as a group ex instructor refuse to be out of shape and constantly looking for ways to change my body composition..I dont want a trainer telling me to do something that they arent doing themselves...but I have went to a power sculpt class with an overweight instructor who taught proper form and increasing weights while she held 3-5lb weights in her hand lol :noway: and people loved her but I just couldnt look at her :laugh:

Gt3ch

Which leads me to my point... Is anyone bothered by "fitness-nutritionist-type-professionals" who clearly do not look the part?

Is it utterly ridiculous to have a "chubby" nutritionist or "flabby" personal trainer?

Or does it fall under the same notion that your heart surgeon doesn't need to have heart disease to be a good cardiologist?

I think it's almost like a cardiologist who smokes. They should know better and it projects an air of incompetence. But in reality it's just human weakness and the cardiologist could be a very knowledgeable and competent doc. Many people know this and give doctors a pass on their bad health habits.

But I say "almost" because for the fitness/nutrition pro it's MUCH worse for business than the doctor example. A fitness pro is much more of a walking advertisement for their business and competence. If a fitness pro is in poor shape than they project the idea that they don't really know the inns and outs of success. One would assume their knowledge is much more likely to be more theoretical than based on real-world experience and success. Of course it's always possible that they're just like the cardiologist example. It's possible their clients are super fit and because of an emotional issue they just can't follow their own advice. But even still how much confidence does that instill?

A chubby fitness/nutrition expert may be more approachable and less intimidating but I don't think it's unreasonable to assume they aren't an "A" player, so the speak. Even if they lost 150lbs. Loosing the first 50lbs isn't exactly the same as loosing the last 10 or 20. This is either knowledge they don't have, or they have distorted ideas about body image or something else keeping them from both being and living as an expert in their field. They might be the person to get things started but not someone you would be wise to rely on too heavily for too long. Sounds harsh? Maybe. I think if you're going to ask for money and be a professional you should operate with and be held to high standards.

BeingAwesome247

This reminds of when I was pregnant and the Dr had me talk to a nutrition specialist who was
1. Obese....not just a little chubby - obese
2. Had McDonalds in her garbage :huh: :noway:

See I had gained 10lbs in one month because, well they said I was eating for 2 and to me that meant TWO GROWN FOOTBALL PLAYERS....I was mistaken in this assumption
So I go to see above woman who lectures me on what I should and should not be eating and how important it is to maintain a healthy weight blah blah blah
I zoned her out....There was NO WAY I could take this woman seriously

elizabethis

For me, it kind of comes down to $$$. I wouldn't have any problem listening to a "heavy" nutritionist or trainer give advice. I'm sure I could learn a lot from people with good training, no matter the size. BUT, if money has to come directly out of my pocket, I want someone who practices what they preach, because they'll also know the effort that it's going to take.

castlerobber

This reminds of when I was pregnant and the Dr had me talk to a nutrition specialist who was
1. Obese....not just a little chubby - obese

<snip>

So I go to see above woman who lectures me on what I should and should not be eating and how important it is to maintain a healthy weight blah blah blah
I zoned her out....There was NO WAY I could take this woman seriously

When my teenager was seeing an endocrinologist for possible growth problems, the doc insisted we talk with the nutritionist at the clinic, because my daughter was somewhat overweight. The nutritionist, who wasn't much taller than my teen, was significantly overweight. Listening to her tell my daughter to eat a high-carb, low-fat, calorie-restricted diet, and then admit in the next breath that she was having trouble controlling her own weight on that same diet...no, I don't think so.

RNTanya

Not to get all Darwinian here, but let's be honest about the biological imperative (to procreate with attractive members of the species). We can all say that we want to get in shape to 'feel healthier' but there are probably a lot more of us who also want to 'look good' and get an appreciative look from a male member of the species. It reminds us that we haven't been put out to pasture yet. A peacock doesn't go for the neurotic, mottley girl who picks out her feathers; he goes for the one with rich plumage and shiny feathers. We are programmed no differently, only we have big brains that can temper that instinctive first impression with, "well, she's got a great personality/knowledge"---fill in the blank).

I'd like a trainer to have both the knowledge and physical fitness (not skinny or perfect, just in shape) because I, as a female peacock want my feathers to be shiny and smooth just like hers

bailbondbabs

I can't stand that! You have to LIVE this lifestyle!

elgray26

My mother is a Dietician and she is very good at her job. She just recently had a hysterectomy and is not on hormone replacement therapy. This has caused her to gain a good 50 lbs or so. She is overweight, but I would still trust her professional opinion. The company she works for also has her traveling so much that she only gets a good home cooked meal maybe once a week. Therefore, she struggles to find healthy options on the road (not easy).

I completely agree with what you are saying. First impressions are important. Seeing an overweight/chubby dietician or trainer might make me skeptical, but I would give them the benefit of the doubt. If they know their stuff, then who cares? Maybe they have other health problems that make them chubby!

MzKameka

Personally, I would have a problem spending any amount of money on someone that is not a walking billboard for their job (when it comes to health & fitness), whether it be male or female. If I'm going to spend my money I'd like to see exactly what you're offering rather than what you're promising.... so to speak, words are wind. Everyone knows how to get "healthy" or "fit" or whatever their goal is, its just the kick in the *kitten* that most people need. However, when I see a chubby personal trainer in the gym I honestly roll my eyes and one side of my brain thinks "way to go" and the other side thinks simutaneously that unless their *kitten* is nicer than mine, there's no way in hell I'd use that trainer... but all the power to them.

Basically, I wouldn't hire a trainer that didn't have the body that I was trying to achieve or something pretty damn close. That said, I'd never hire a GoodLife trainer... for the most part, they're kids in matching attire that don't seem to know what end is up.

Laces_0ut

i would never use the services of an overweight trainer or nutritionist. there are plenty of in shape ones to choose from who know what they are doing.

ritoosh

i totally agree with you. like at my gym we have a couple trainers who are chubby. and all the front desk staff are pretty heavy set, which i find weird.

but if the trainer is on their own journey then im not sure. but in my opinion i would not want a trainer if he isnt lean or built [but i dont necessarily want him to be thin] lol if that makes sense

newcs

As a CPA who files her taxes at literally the last moment possible, I understand the "do as I say, not as I do" mentality but I also make sure that I project an image consistent with my professional level so if I were in a nutritionist or trainer role, I think that I would do everything I could to look the part and instill confidence in my clients.

itgeekwoman

I had to sit at work yesterday doing my health screening and my "counseling" session with the nurse telling me what to do better. The only issue I had was my bmi was still high.. other than that all of my numbers are as optimal as I can possibly get them.

What she didn't see was me last year 70 lbs heavier and all of the other issues. This nurse by the way, was Very large. She actually started to tell me what to eat in order to lose weight. I looked at her and just smiled and said.. don't worry, I think I've got this under control!

giggitygoo

I would NEVER hire a trainer or nutritionist who is clearly not taking their own advice. It really destroys their credibility in my eyes.

bodiva88

Nope I agree. To me, if someone is telling me that I need to eat healthier and exercise, etc, they should be doing the same thing. I'm not a "do as I say, not as I do" type person. If I have to do it, so do you!

how do you know their not eating healthy and exercising? it could be a journey for them just as it is for you

This!

Although I always am amused watching "Christina Cooks" because Christina Pirello always looked a bit heavy and her complexion didn't look healthy and glowing, but rather peaked.

The trainer I worked with to get back into better swimming form isn't ripped or razor thin. She's healthy looking. And she runs ultramarathons so she's more than fit. She just isn't cut. I feel comfortable with that.

TerrieBNLWECHANGED

I'm a fluffy girl so, just being totally honest here:

I am on a journey and it's pretty difficult at times. If I were seeking help from an individual on how to get to where I want to be, I would see someone else with a weight problem and wonder if what they were telling me to do would really help or am I just being yanked around by someone with good intentions.

If it isn't working for them, why would it work for me. Why would I want to do the work and not reap the benefits. I want benefits and I want an example of someone who has practiced the "art" of a balanced nutritional lifestyle. I'm not talking 0% body fat, but clearly not in the "overweight" category. My goal is to have a good ticker and a reduction of organ fats, as well as superficial fats.

That being said, maybe this person (if it's a girl) just had a baby or something?

xHelloQuincyx

an african american man sits on a bus with his 3 children. the children are running around causing chaos. another passenger asked the man to control his children after reaching a breaking point. thinking in their head of stereotypes and comparing the man to themselves and their ability to control their children. the man responds with 'i'm sorry, we just left the hospital where the mother passed on."

I know you said not to 'jump on' this side of the story..... but this really bugs me. You don't know what other peoples problems are or the range of those problems. You don't know what they are going through on a day to day basis. And you most certainly cant jump to any conclusions based on outward appearance. not everyone practices what they preach, but that doesn't make them incompetent in the subject mater. I wonder if anyone really listened to what the lady had to say, or just thought to themselves that the lady must be incompetent because she isnt in shape. I'm just happy that she was confident enough to talk about an increasing epidemic of poor eating habits and health, and get the word out to people who can probably relate to her. I personally wish that I wasn't phased or biased based on appearance-but I am. I would however, never voice or act on my prejudices. In fact, I feel guilty about judging someone- even if their actions don't support my view/ethics.

Right now people are probably looking at my pink hair. how young I look. my ticker picture. my display name. Disregarding my comment based on images and making assumptions about how I live my life. all. without. thinking. Truth be told, my passion is working with small children. yes I have been turned down for jobs based on what tattoos I have or what I look like. But thats their loss, because I'm wonderful at what I do and put my soul into my work. I have made the deans list with a 3.8-4.0 every year I have been in college. I have taken psychology classes, race/ethnicity discrimination classes, and have had to memorize codes of ethical conduct. I have taken courses that have opened my mind to the reasoning behind what parents/ people do- and how to strengthen relationships from this and not act on judgements or bias beliefs. even when its your first instinct to hold that child when it is crying, or to allow a child to feed themselves, or potty train a toddler. every one is different. every family is different. everyone's beliefs about everything is different- NOT wrong and you need to respect that.

and to tell you the truth, Ive seen hundreds of wanna be nutritionists/trainers on this site alone who are not in perfect condition or at their goal. Some still 100+ pounds over weight. Probably prejudged based on outward appearances when they could indeed be much more knowledgeable then some twiggie anorexic trainer. these things don't happen overnight as you already know, and not everyone realizes their passion when they hit their goal weight.

Zombielicious

- "Hey, you're attractive. I would like to propagate my genetic code with you and fondle your naughty bits..."

On a side note...I am now going to use this quote. I think it could work for me.

slkehl

I'm a nutrition science major, and about half of my professors in the discipline are overweight. However, they are incredibly knowledgeable and know their *kitten* cold. I'd trust one of them to tell me what really works that a fit "nutritionist" who just took a quick certification course. The fact is, everyone is different, and what might be working for that super athletic nutritionist of yours might not work for you. It's important for the nutritionist to be well educated so you can work together to find what works for you.

_Timmeh_

What if she was obese and has worked her way down to "chubby" ?

slkehl

What if she was obese and has worked her way down to "chubby" ?

This is a good point. Actually, that could be more helpful than someone who has been fit all their lives (and perhaps has the time/$ to stay in shape) and has never experienced the tough realities of weight loss.

Slack2ShortGo

First impressions do sway opinions but, if they are "qualified" I'll listen to what they have to say.

Hausclegane

Personally I'd be less intimidated by someone who can at least understand my plight - but how can someone preach weight loss when they themselves are overweight? this is the reason I myself have passed over apprenticeship opportunities in a gym, because people are not going to want to take you seriously.

it is unfortunate, because at the time i was in the gym 6 days a week and I have all the info, just not the physical "requirement".

GorillaEsq

A first impression might be:"They did a fantastic job despite their appearance and what I assumed they could do."

Judgement: "They don't LOOK like they would be good so I'm going to pass on them..."

By "first impression," I mean, "first impression."

JewelsinBigD

I went to a trainer who was hard and thin and she did body building. I didnt want to look like her - but I want to be thinner and harder than I am. She didnt really take me seriously. She didnt bother to take measurements, apparently she had no belief I would actually change my measurements so why bother and now as I am losing and changing my body comp significantly I am disappointed I dont have those early first measurements. I bet the chubbier trainer would have had more faith in me.

Mads1997

I recently went to a dietician. the first thing I looked to see if they were looking healthy and not overweight. I didn't do it on purpose it was just instinct to. The whole office staff looked fit and healthy, not just thin. First impressions count.