Chubby Trainers & Nutrionists

"Holy crap, WTF happened to your face? Did you mother breed with a wildebeest? Because you're attractive and I would like to propagate my genetic code with you and fondle your naughty bits."

Bahahahahahahahahaha

But no, in all serious, perhaps consider that said "chubby" nutritionist and/or trainer was previously obese and are in the process of getting to a healthy weight? You never know..

what that's a phone in front of his face

what that's a phone in front of his face

hey what happened to our Cheating thread? Did it die? Did we fail again?

Isn't a big part of their job to motivate people? I am going to have a hard time believing in a trainer that doesn't practice what they preach or hasn't practiced it enough yet.
Bottom line. There are some things where you need to practice what you preach. This is one of them.

at my work I have a 5'6, 300# female doctor, you know what advice I would take from her? Not a damn thing. If she was a little chubby I'd be fine with it but once you land in morbidly obese you're input is null and void to me. That being said I expect my trainer to be in great shape, their job is to show me how to be in great shape so I do not think this is a horrible request. If your mechanic says he can't make it into work because his car is broken down do you continue to go to him? If your child's teacher sends home a note saying ' you're child needs a gooder grasp of the english language', do you ask them what they mean? If your babysitter asks you if you have seen their kid around today do you let them watch yours? Get all defensive on weight all you want but it isn't unreasonable to want an in shape trainer

So by that logic, the only good coaches are ones who play the game right? I mean, how can a coach be good if he doesn't practice what he preaches...

As a coach and umpire I can tell you that there is a noticeable difference between kids taught by people that love the game but did not play, a person that played high school, a person that played college and someone that played beyond college. No question in the way the game is approached, the drills they do etc.

I consider myself an above average coach for someone that only played high school ball but that is because I have been to clinics, asked questions etc but no way am I as good of a teacher as my friend who is a pitching coach for a single-A pro team.

Weight is not an indicator of health.

You can be heavier AND in better shape then people who weigh significantly less than you do.

Thinness and hardness are not an accurate measure of how healthy/active a person is.

I think it is important for nutritionists and personal trainers to be healthy and active, of course. But I've seen amazing fitness instructors who have "chubby" bodies, and I've seen hardbodied and skinny personal trainers who are completely useless at their job.

The problem is one of perception of health, and the way the (American) media portrays health.
/rant

This, absolutely.

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?

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>>

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.

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.

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