Sunday, January 3, 2010

One of those "wow" moments...

So I mentioned ages ago that eventually I wanted to become a personal trainer. You know, someday...when I look like what a personal trainer should look like. Well, maybe I'm not going to put it off quite that long. Maybe. It's been suggested I shouldn't. The only legitimate reason for not waiting that makes any sense to me is that concept that maybe seeing and possibly working with a trainer who isn't a hard body and clearly looks like they understand the anxieties of a larger person would get some people working out who are otherwise hesitant. But I'm still not completely convinced this is a good idea.

Which leads me to the "wow" moment. I decided to take the question to the Weight Watchers message boards. Specifically asking the people who have a lot to lose. And by a lot, I mean A LOT. These are MY people.

I only posted the topic less than 30 minutes ago. And the responses I've had so far have taken my breath away. I actually teared up. It was as if I was talking to myself, 140lbs ago. (And some of the things that STILL go through my head now.)

The bottom line is, the people who need to feel the most welcomed into the gym are scared to death to go. They feel intimidated, judged, and that they just don't belong there. While it's a little bit comforting to know I am not the only person who felt/feels that way, it makes me sad. It's easy to sit on the sidelines and suggest that we should just push through those feelings and suck it up. It's not easy.

It's a "wow" moment on so many levels. Things are becoming a little bit clearer.

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