Brilliant idea yesterday

So while I was at work yesterday being bored out of my mind since it was dead, I started to think about if I really wanted to do this for the rest of my life to wait on customers that never came. I decided no I don't so I started to think about what I wanted to do and this is what I came up with. I want to become a personal trainer for wls patients I feel like this would be a great way to give back to such a supportive community of people that it could truly make me happy. Was wondering your thoughts. 

I think its a great idea.  Its a wondrous thing when we can take what we learned in our struggles and use it to help others.  Good for you!

Carol

Yes!  Trainers who have not gone through it, do not understand the struggles.  You would be able to support them so much more, inspire them and make exercise less intimidating. 

It's true.  I do personal training now and my trainer has never even been overweight, much less obese or SMO.  He's fine, and I'm definitely getting something out of the training, but he doesn't relate to me at all.  

This is pretty much where my mind is as well and why I'm going back to college in the fall.  So it makes sense to me.  I'll be combining my exercise/kinesiology studies with gerontology - since I'd specifically like to help older people to be more mobile, but I also hope that I'd be able to work with people who have similar troubles with obesity as I've had.  I love exercise so much and I'd love to share that enjoyment with others.  

You can get certified through several different places. I think ACE fitness is the big one. So look into it. Then you can work at a club and get experience and then strike out on your own.

Thanks for all the feedback I went to my community college today to switch my major to kinesiology and I'll get my associates and while I do that I can get my CPT license at my own pace.

I mentioned ACE because they have many beyond fitness like this one. http://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/specialty-c ertifications/behavior-change.aspx

It's a noble idea, but honestly I think it would be hard to make a living this way. Lots of people post here on OH about doing the same thing but I am not sure how many are actually successful.

We like to think we are going to save the world after we lose weight but then reality sets in and we realize we have to stick to having a real job.

If it's something you'd enjoy doing, then go for it! Unlikely that you'd be able to get enough hours working with only WLS patients, but you could certainly bill yourself as being experienced with WLS/MO people and do that alongside "regular" clients.