Chubby Trainers & Nutrionists
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I am a year into my nutrition course and I always remember one thing that was given as a statistic in my first class:
" over 85% of North America is sufficiently educated enough about nutrition and the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle to stay within a healthy weight their entire lives. Yet obesity rates are over 60%"
Meaning that people know what they are suppose to do they just don't do it. I think some nutritionist/dietician/trainers fall into this as well. That being said I completely agree that if you are going to be the face of good health you should look the part because as shallow as it is that's what people see first. I am a trained chef and have been doing that for the last 8 years and I am just switching to a degree in nutrition (well trying to merge the 2 professions into something glorious lol). I am not over weight but I am unhealthy. 8 years of working in restaurants, smoking, drinking, eating whatever you can on a 17 hour day made me very unhealthy and when I decided to make this career change that was a big no-no for me. I was in no way comfortable giving people health advice if I wasn't healthy myself.
My grandpa recently went through cancer treatment and I was with him taking him to his appointments and we had an appointment with a nutritionist as all cancer patients do. We ran into her on the elevator and she is a big lady, like way past chubby. Anyway we walked with her to her office which was just around the other side of the elevators and she got so winded she couldn't string a sentence together and was sweating. Now don't get me wrong this lady was crazy smart and clearly knew what she was talking about, she gave me all the nutrient depletion and the foods I should be making him to replace what he's losing and why, but yea at first glance it kind of bothered me she was so overweight. There could have been many reasons for her being over weight but I think that it's hard for all of us to make healthy rather then go for what's easy, but in a professional sense you should lead by example.0 -
There could be many reasons why a personal trainer is a little or a lot on the heavy side. I plan on being a lifecoach with an emphasis on health and I am not ripped in any way, but working my way there. However, I know that I am very well motivated when I am working with someone. Point is, some people are a reciprocating altruistic type like myself and I want to get healthy through and by getting others healthy; yet, if the trainer is not taking advantage of working out with others or even at all, then I think that is pretty messed up. But of course, don't expect the trainers to workout with every one of their clients or else they will work themselves to injury and/or exhaustion. Get personal with your personal trainer and ask questions like:
What is your diet like?
How do you stay active?
How long do you workout for?
Do you eat anything that is not healthy?
Do you smoke, drink, do drugs?
etc....
As a potential Lifecoach/Social Worker/Personal Trainer/Dietitian/Nutritionist/Chef, I personally believe that we owe it to our clients those life-changing answers to their life-changing questions. Clients feel that they don't know the answers, or else they wouldn't be our clients now would they, so they seek outside of themselves to get the answers. Sometimes our answers are from who we are and that influences our clients. We owe it to our clients to be honest, to be humble, and to "practice what we preach" as best as we can.0 -
i met my first nutritionalst/dietician over 5 years ago, i honestly had a hard time communicating and being open as she was slightly overweight herself, by the end of the session it came out that she had started out at 350 pounds, had loads of experience and advice, and could relate to the struggles of losing weight, i left with a lot of respect for her as she is going throught the battle herself but chose to share her experience and knowledge, also, a few of the trainers at the local gym are not in perfect shape either, but they relate better and still have the knowledge, lesson for me: was not to judge unless you know their story...there is more than meets the eyes.0
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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
I would have to agree. I have seen some "chubby" bodies compete very well in marathons and triathlons over some of their skinnier (perceived as healthier and more fit) competitors.
Thin doesn't equal healthy. But yes there will be that bias out there. It is the same as the proverbial mechanic with the car that won't start or the carpenter who's home is in the most need of work. They may be the best for others but they often deny themselves.0 -
We have a trainer like that at our gym. Every time I go in to my trainer and look at her and wonder why anyone would hire her. I understand the whole she know know her stuff but not apply to herself. The point of a trainer is to teach, inspire and push you. If the trainer does not inspire themselves how can they inspire you?0
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We have a trainer like that at our gym. Every time I go in to my trainer and look at her and wonder why anyone would hire her. I understand the whole she know know her stuff but not apply to herself. The point of a trainer is to teach, inspire and push you. If the trainer does not inspire themselves how can they inspire you?
Agreed
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Let's get right to the important stuff..."mammal", "you're", "your". Muah!
THIS!
Of course, there are always MAMILS - Middle-Aged Men In Lycra...but that's another post ;-)0 -
I have a friend who is a trainer and nutritionalist, and she is also chubby at the moment. She is going through her own journey of weight loss, and due to her journey, she has realized she would like to help everyone else complete their journey as well. I am skinnier than her, but she just puts me to shame with all the workouts she does and how well she eats all the time!
I know I never had to work at being on the lighter side, and have always had a normal BMI, but I am not as healthy as I know I can be. My friend has inspired me to get off my butt to become healthier through her rigourous journey. I just keep it in mind that if SHE can do it, then so can I.
However, I am not sure if my friend is the norm or an exception. I would gladly hire anyone like my friend to be my trainer any day, but if they were not like her and just preached and did not practice it themselves, no way!0 -
At the risk and annoyance of engaging an irrelevant hypothetical... Are you saying that anyone that has had a traumatic experience in their life has the right to inconvenience everyone else in their path pursuant "saddy-sad-time?"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."
They don't.
Life sucks.
Get over it.
Next.
I'm sorry. My dog pooped on the sidewalk and ran away this morning. And by your logic, it's ok for me to stuff and do things now. (True story, actually)I know you said not to 'jump on' this side of the story..... but this really bugs me.
Nor do I care (not to sound overly cold). We're discussing business. It's not "let's hold hands, cry and watch Titanic and group-hug time." It's an enterprise.You don't know what other peoples problems are or the range of those problems.
Yeah, still don't care... see above.You don't know what they are going through on a day to day basis.
Really? I'm a 6'3, 270 pound, meathead combatives expert... that also happens to be a computer-nerd-lawyer for a living. But please, educate me on "outward appearances." [Insert picture of Willy Wonka here]And you most certainly cant jump to any conclusions based on outward appearance.
So you know, our legal system greatly disagrees with you on this premise. As does every successful business enterprise that has ever existed, ever.not everyone practices what they preach, but that doesn't make them incompetent in the subject mater.
I have no idea at whom, nor what, that entire soliloquy was directed.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.
Actually I was thinking, "Why is she using her period-key like a machine gun?"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.
I'll come back to the Fruedian component to all of this in just a second. To be clear... you're "baffled" that daycare centers and schools didn't hire you because you have "tattoos" and "pink hair." Is it possible that the parents, aka "patrons" wouldn't want their young children exposed to "tattoos" and "pink hair" for 6-to-8 hour stretches of time every day?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.
The nerve.
This actually proves my point, perfectly. You may be wonderful with kids. However, you've chosen to physically alter your body in ways that most people would find "odd." And in the childcare business, "odd" doesn't sell well. It's basic economics.
Example: I hate suits. Haaaaate them. Yet, I adorn one every time I step foot in a courtroom. Why? Because it's good business. And, a local court rule for which I could be held in contempt of court for violating... but still.
Neat. Find a job that appreciates good grades, pink hair and tattoos. Problem solved.I have made the deans list with a 3.8-4.0 every year I have been in college.
To be clear, "pink hair" and "tattoos" does not qualify as "a race."I have taken psychology classes, race/ethnicity discrimination classes, and have had to memorize codes of ethical conduct.
Did you read the part that said "Most grown-ups think pink hair is weird?"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.
Um... "twiggie anorexic trainer." Did... did you just judge someone based on their appearance? You did. It was rhetorical.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.
(Did I mention I'm REALLY good at crushing arguments?)
Nifty.these things don't happen overnight as you already know, and not everyone realizes their passion when they hit their goal weight.
I'm sorry you spent a great deal of time and money attaining a degree that you've subsequently negated by making poor personal choices.
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Smart chicks. Almost as awesome as bacon.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
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Copyright © 2012 GorillaEsq All Rights Reserved.
- "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.0 -
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!
That's really unfortunate on a bunch of levels. Hormonal/metabolic problems aren't super common so I think they don't factor into most people's thinking. When I was younger I spent a lot of time with a close family friend. She was an older lady who always made an effort to follow her doctor's advice. She had a weight problem despite eating, from what I could see maybe 800 cals/day. What I saw was probably higher than her norm because she would shop when I was coming over or we would eat out.
Personally I'd approach a chubby trainer or nutritionist with a bit of skepticism, especially if they are young, but try to not be prematurely dismissive. I think a pro who manages health issue with diet would be an ideal expert for anyone even if they don't look perfect. Managing health problems forces you to have so much more self-awareness and insight about the body and diet.0 -
GAH!!! I know. I fixed it! I fixed it! Before she even posted, I swear! It was bad on my part. *hangs head in shame*Let's get right to the important stuff..."mammal", "you're", "your". Muah!
THIS!
Of course, there are always MAMILS - Middle-Aged Men In Lycra...but that's another post ;-)0 -
iT BUGS ME! How am I going to trust that the person can help me if they can't even help themself? Bodies aren't books, and this girl does judge by the cover!0
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And your cover says "Batmilf." Which rules, btw.iT BUGS ME! How am I going to trust that the person can help me if they can't even help themself? Bodies aren't books, and this girl does judge by the cover!0 -
I agree. I wouldn't hire a personal trainer, nutritionist, beautician, fashion consultant, etc. unless I wanted to look like them. They are a walking example of their work.0
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So I am overweight and am a personal trainer/GX instructor/Yoga instructor. I had a baby 7 months ago so that's not my excuse. I workout harder and longer than 95% of my participants. The thing is I am working on my goals and to be honest with you, my "heavier" participants see that it is a struggle even for someone who makes a living doing this. But I am making changes and they see the effort. You don't have to be "skinny" to be fit. I have met (and did body compositions on) many, many "skinny, fat people" and on many who would appear to be "overweight" but are at very healthy body compositions.
So don't pass judgement. Just because someone is 110 pounds DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE HEALTHY!!! And just because someone is 160 pounds DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY ARE UNFIT!!!0 -
Smart chicks. Almost as awesome as bacon.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
Mmmm....bacon...and beef. Nature's bounty.0 -
I was trying to count the number of times I saw the word Journey in this topic but I lost track.
Be good to yourself :drinker:0 -
My General Practitioner DR. is 6'5" & 380 lbs LOL :laugh:0
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I'm a big girl Zumba Instructor. I can do hour after hour of Zumba and every time I leave my students completely exhausted and sweaty. I can understand that my appearance or that of another may be off putting but I would encourage yourself or anyone else to maybe not judge the book by its cover. I chose this job to help me stay focused on my health and weight loss and it turns out I am very good at what I do, despite being overweight.0
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I have seen chubbier looking ones on TV (which isn't always what a person looks like on tv/pics because u lose a dimension) that's really why some models are good at what they do, not just built right.
But anyway, I am not at all bothered or anything because it would be a poor reflection of myself to judge that. How would i know why they are slightly bigger, some fat may not be able to ever go away without surgery, so why would I juudge them for not wanting that, or having an issue that isn't trained away or taken care of by eating right. As that happens alot, and people have wacky perceptions on what they think is healthy anway. Stats are stats.
It would make me a giant *kitten* to judge someone I don't know, as if that makes me better but I am already awesome so why do that to myself. I get what you are saying, but frankly that is flaw in some people, that can be changed if they want to change it. Anyone that judges a book by its cover or only looks at the outside just doesn't know anything about health or biology anway. But now they have learned something about themselves, which hopefully will make them a better person.0 -
Which leads me to my point... Is anyone bothered by "fitness-nutritionist-type-professionals" who clearly do not look the part?
No
Is it utterly ridiculous to have a "chubby" nutritionist or "flabby" personal trainer?
No
Or does it fall under the same notion that your heart surgeon doesn't need to have heart disease to be a good cardiologist?
Yes0 -
Hey, I get it. I've read several of these posts.... While I do somewhat agree with the practice what you preach people, (and I can talk and say anything I want here, I WAS HUGE!!! lol) I kind of look at it like this, Bill Bellicheck (and I HATE him!!!) is not exactly a physical specimin, but one of the best coaches in the NFL, many coaches are that way. Those who can DO, those who can't TEACH. Plain as that. Many players or atheletes, even the best, can't cut it as teachers. We all have our place, it just depends on what you got.... If I were to gain all my weight back ( I PRAY THAT DOESN"T HAPPEN!!!!) I would still retain all the knowledge I have obtained along the way. Keep an open mind, it can work both ways..... Be smart enough to decide if a person is worth following or not..... Just my 2 cents...0
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Weight isn't everything. I have a cousin who's in his late forties, he's overweight (not just in muscle, in quit a bit of fat too) but he can run half marathons! It depends on WHAT KIND OF FIT you aspire to be. I'm a nutrition science student, I'm in the healthy weight range and I have love handles, but so what? I'm healthy, that's the point in dietetics right? Not fad diets to look photo-shopped. I wish more people would aspire to be healthy and not just thin.0
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Initially I would have agreed that a chubby trainer or nutritionist would be a no go for me. Then I went to a fitness class where the trainer was not a skinny chick and she kicked everyone's butt. Even the skinny girls in class were dying and here is this trainer with her bubble butt just zipping along like it's nothing and teasing us for not being able to keep up with the big girl.
I've also had people who didn't take their size six nutritionist seriously because they felt like she'd never had to deal with weight issues and didn't understand what they were going through. I'm going back to school to become a dietitian even while I work on making myself better and I plan on showing all my potential clients my before and after picture so they know I'm not just all talk.0 -
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well im chubby and I don't think anyone would take me seriously as pt and nutritionist but I know a lot just had to put what I know on hold for a while so a put on the weight not as much as I could have tho so im going to get in better shape before I start training people again for the reason I don't think they would take me seriously0
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A person can understand how to do something without doing it themselves.
On the other hand, if it's something where a part of their job is supposed to be to motivate clients, I can see how it's hard to believe they can do that when they don't appear to have a good handle on self-motivation.0 -
A person can understand how to do something without doing it themselves.
On the other hand, if it's something where a part of their job is supposed to be to motivate clients, I can see how it's hard to believe they can do that when they don't appear to have a good handle on self-motivation.
This, I totally agree.
There's a large lady at my gym (staff member, not entirely sure if she's actually a trainer) who has done a couple of my classes (spin, abs/conditioning) and I must admit that I didn't find it very motivating. Now this is also partly to do with her teaching style, but also because (unlike the other trainers) she couldn't - or chose not to - do all of the class. My immediate impression was that she couldn't, but obviously I don't know that for certain. Trying to get past that immediate "do you even follow your own advice?" was harder than I thought.
It's a difficult one.0
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