Most guest posts here are from people like me – those of us who have or are trying to lose weight, usually after being overweight for long periods. But that’s not the only narrative out there. Sometimes there are people who need or want to lose weight who aren’t the person we would think could be overweight. Sometimes even personal trainers can struggle with weight and training. Today’s guest post is from Michelle, someone who struggled with the weight stuff despite her career as a personal trainer.
As humans we often judge based on first appearance, it’s only natural. When people first meet me I get a lot of the same comments; “Oh you’re a personal trainer? So do you never eat bad food? “Oh you’re a weight loss coach, but you don’t know what it’s like to be overweight” “You’re so skinny and fit, you must have good genes.” The funny thing is, I have never been athletic my entire life, until I became a personal trainer. The other funny thing is, I never have been overweight in my entire life, until I became a personal trainer.
When I became a personal trainer I was taught all about calories in versus calories out. Previously I had no idea what a calorie was. Even at the age of 21, calories were completely an unknown subject. My family never talked about weight, they always ate healthy and enjoyed working out. I hated it. I hated every minute of working hard, but I ate what I wanted and stayed thin.
When I learned more and more about calories and the way the body works, I began to count my calories and measure my calories burnt. Turns out, it’s all a number game. So I got the bodybugg and continued on my path. Here I was a thin fit person obsessed with calories. My body hated being so regimented, and it despised being on a diet, so it rebelled. I gained 25 lbs in one year. Now I was a heavier, completely obsessed personal trainer, trying to lose weight. Guess what, it doesn’t work.
I tried to get the weight off for another year but only continued to gain and lose, gain and lose. Finally just under 2 years ago I got into a car accident. Not just a little fender bender, an intense hit by 5 cars on the freeway going fast speeds and flipped on my side car accident. A lucky to be alive car accident. Being stuck on the couch was my worst nightmare, I knew I would gain weight, and was terrified. However, during my recovery, I didn’t gain any weight at all, I lost it. All of it. During a period of time where I did nothing active, and ate whatever I wanted (I couldn’t even fathom thinking of calories I was in way too much pain) I lost 15 lbs.
I just recently lost the rest of this weight. I lost this weight by eating everything that I desire (cookies, chips, whatever) and it turns out, I really love healthy food (by choice!). I lost this weight by only working out when I want, and as hard as I want (sometimes that means I just want to walk and stretch). I lost this weight by concentrating on living, and forgetting about losing. Now I know my job is not to be a personal trainer who puts people through punishing workouts, my job is to be a weight loss coach that helps people lose weight the right way, without having a near death experience.
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Great post and so true, I’m finding that out just recently that by obsessing less your body does figure itself out all on it’s own. It’s funny to hear about it the other way around, I’m a lifetime heavy person becoming a personal trainer and now am getting to know a lot of people who train and food/exercise issues are prevalent everywhere. It was very surprising to see since I assumed that trainers didn’t have issues like the rest of us. Silly me.
.-= Rita @ The Giggly Bits´s last blog ..Test of New Body Acceptance: Take 1 =-.
Really interesting post, it’s great to read about weight loss from this perspective. I guess the thing to remember is that everyone is different and what works for one person might not work for another. The key is to find a plan that empowers and motivates you personally!
This is such an interesting story. I’ve been overweight my entire life and have been trying to live a healthier lifestyle for at least 5 years (although I dieted my entire life, on and off). It’s difficult for a “professional dieter” like myself to understand how you could lose 15 lbs by being inactive and not worry too much about the food you ate. I guess it does go to show that if we relax and let our bodies lead the way, they will.
It was hard for me to understand too Bella. I think it’s just the fact that she wasn’t obsessing about it. I know that I do a lot better when I’m not totally obsessing about losing weight. I still make good choices unconsciously and let a little of the other stuff in too. At least that’s my experience.
Rita- Yes trainers do have the same problems, however many will act as if they are invincible! I am very much flawed, and more than happy to tell you how.
Bella – Thank you for comment. I know it is difficult to believe that it could work this way, but thank god it does, because a life of dieting is not a full life. You deserve more :)
Awesome post! That is EXACTLY what I am trying to do. Change my attitude!
.-= Julie – Big Girl Bombshell´s last blog ..What IF you believed in YOU? =-.
When I first started losing weight I was all about changing my appearance, but as I saw more and more success I realized it was about a lot more than appearance. It was about attitude and emotions and confidence!!
Great post!
.-= Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..Breaking the Unhealthy Breakfast Habit =-.
I’m so glad you lived to tell of that car accident – how scary :(
What a great message. I’m a dietitian and NOT skinny. I hold down the upper end of the BMI range of where I should be and while I’m not happy there, personally…a lot of people find me more relatable and tell me so…because I’m not “perfect” to look at. It’s hard to be in a profession where people pre-perceive you as one way and you don’t live up to that, but I’ve come to terms with it. I have my own journey and health to be concerned about, and I don’t owe the world an explanation. Kudos to you!
.-= Nicole, RD´s last blog ..1/2 marathon report =-.
I think it’s crazy that all dietitians are supposed to be a super small size. Healthy is a range, and you are in your healthy range so that’s great. If you want to change for personal reasons that’s totally cool, but I find it strange that there can’t be dietitians of more sizes (obviously not obese but you no what I mean).
AS a BBW myself I do think big is beautiful. I am very proud of my size. I also have met many plus size friends on a BBW dating club … pl us fl ir t . C**O**M**e…. We are very popular here because we know size is only a number.
I like your post Michelle, and glad you survived that accident it sounds horrible.
.-= merri´s last blog ..Five Star Restaurant: Ana Mandara =-.
Julie -Thanks! Feel free to take advantage of my free information on my website, run with it girl!
Diane – You are right on. Appearance is not as important as what’s going on in the inside. Thanks.
Nicole – Thank you!! Size is only a number. I actually wrote a song all about numbers and think I need to post it on my blog, numbers try to rule our world and they mean absolutely nothing!
Merri – Thank you appreciate your kind words. :)
People tend to ignore any health advice I give them so I keep an old photo in my handbag. After explaing several times it is me! (or was me!) they are dying to know how I lost so much weight!
That’s awesome! Great idea!
That’s awesome! Great idea!
This may be a tad off topic but I just wanted to share a personal victory which might serve as a motivation for other people. I have recently lost over 50 lbs. experimenting with celebrity diets I read about online. They really do work.
What a great post, and I too am happy that you survived your car accident! :)
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