"Overweight" fitness pros

When I started considering personal trainer certification the thing that stopped me was that I don't think I can or should do it until I look like one of them. Who wants to learn from an overweight person? Heck, there have been multiple studies in the UK and US that indicate that the general population think that fat people are stupid. The fact that they "can't take care of themselves" is a legitimate reason in their minds to not afford them credibility, even if they are an expert. You should have heard the terrible things that a handful (8ish) of women in my abnormal psych class said that they thought about fat people. I did finally step into the ensuing fray to point out that I haven't eaten at McDonald's in three years only to be called a liar by some woman who swears if we all stayed out of McDonald's we wouldn't be so "disgusting". Cruel? Closed minded? Yeah, without a doubt. I'd feel safe in applying ignorant and bigoted. But, these events and conversations come to mind and lead me to believe that I would never be given credit for what I knew if I did get certified before getting smaller.

As much as I apply that standard to myself, meaning I won't become a trainer while overweight; I give anyone working out and bettering themselves credit, even if they weigh more than me. I'll take feedback and advice from anyone. I sift what is said against what I know about the body's physiology and what I know about diet and exercise and apply my standard rules of living to it. IF it passes those tests I'll use it. If not, it isn't because of how the person looked or acted, it was because it didn't fit my philosophy. I've thrown out diet advice from Regina because it doesn't fit my lifestyle. Regina has the perfect little hard body and I respect her, it just didn't pass my standards for living. I've however used a ton of advice gained at L3L, from other participants.

You see the split here? It might be the underlying problem I have of holding myself to a higher standard. But, intellectually I think that an overweight or formerly overweight person might be the PERFECT answer for the exercise phobic. Who better to model healthy living. There is no "yeah, well of course you can do it, you have the perfect body" excuse to fall back on.

I don't know... I'll stop rambling here. But, you've given me food for thought.

~K~

Jean, don't listen to your mother. Truth be known she is jealous of your bravery and ability to step outside the cultural boundaries that have shackled her for her entire life. She is reacting with her heart, not her mind. All mothers do that and it hurts us, but knowing that will take the sting out some.

I want my instructors to look like something I can achieve. I don't want to achieve being thin and unfit--that does nothing for me and is very unappealing. I want to be at a very healthy weight and super fit.

The San Francisco woman who sued Jazzercise, Jennifer Portnick, was reported to be 5'8" and 240 lbs and a size 20. Would she movitivate me? Seeing those stats, no she wouldn't. Would her class be fun? I'd have to attend one to know. She reportedly had the backing of many Jazzercise students who wanted to take classes from her. She also had some instructors rallying behind her. She's reportedly started her own classes and they're popular.

This topic had been at the center of another board I post at..some said that they were very overweight and would feel much more comfortable taking classes from an overweight instructor. So everyone has a very different opinion on the subject!

Again--when I say healthy weight I'm not stressing thin--I'm stressing healthy.

Deb