A Shocking 140 Pounds

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-2003
A Shocking 140 Pounds
28
Thu, 03-18-2004 - 3:51pm
Ok, I have to share this. Last night I was at the gym, and I'd just finished getting some advice from one of the trainers there, and this other trainer intercepted me on the way to the locker room (I was coming straight from work, so I had to change).

She was extremely petite and very in shape, and a couple of inches shorter than me; just the kind of girl who makes me feel like a big hulking cavewoman. I tried not to be defensive; the new trainers or the ones who haven't met me before almost always see me as a big giant bag of money wandering around looking for guidance. They usually are very courteous and respectful and back off when I tell them no thanks, but this girl would NOT leave me alone.

She started asking a lot of personal questions about my diet, my exercise habits, etc., when I felt I'd made it pretty clear that I wasn't interested in a personal trainer or in continuing to speak with her. I'm not always good at staring people down, but she was really beginning to irritate me. When she confided in me (leaning in close and speaking softly) that she'd once been *gasp* 140 POUNDS, I'd had enough. I told her I'd been going to the gym 6 times a week for the past 4.5 weeks, and I already kept a food journal and I already had a workout plan that I'm happy with, and thanks for the interest, but no thanks.

Then she looked like I'd offended her in some way - casting ingratitude back at her when she was just trying to help the poor fat woman - and said "oh" and wandered away.

Fat does not mean stupid, unmotivated or ignorant. It doesn't mean we need help (though encouragement is nice!) Maybe I should wear a sign saying "NO THANKS, I'VE GOT IT".

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2004
Sat, 03-20-2004 - 6:36pm
if you think 140 is heavy....

Must be form the same govt board that also believes someone of Michael Jordon's weight is obeses as well.

Avatar for jess9802
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Sat, 03-20-2004 - 9:53pm
Establishing rapport or selling her services? The trainer is trying to get clients and make money, and she should be well aware that some sales tactics work better than others. If she doesn't want to alienate potential clients, maybe she should dial it down a little bit. Just a thought.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 4:28pm
Well 140 can be heavy, depending on height and bone structure. It all depends on those things, and more. It may not be heavy for you, but it may have been for this person.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 4:31pm
One can lead to the other....but I thought the poster said this woman was an employee of the gym, not an independent contractor "selling services." If she's on the gym's payroll, then likely this service is part of what the poster has already paid for. I don't know whether she pays extra for it at her gym. But it sounded like part of what she's already paid for.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2004
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 4:32pm
ok ok if you say so
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 4:38pm
It's really not worth worrying about, now is it. Whatever the trainers motivation (which we can't really know) there's no use getting bothered about it. Take care.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2004
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 4:39pm
as always the beacon of logic
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Mon, 03-22-2004 - 4:41pm
It couldn't hurt, now could it!

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