I wanna be a Personal Trainer . . .

but I am still fat. I am FIT, really FIT, but I'm still fat. I work out twice a week with a trainer and he tells me all the time that I am his fittest client. He's been talking to me about becoming a personal trainer myself and I really think I'd enjoy it. I love to work out. I do it six days a week for at least an hour each day. I'd love to be in the gym all day long. My problem is my self-esteem. I still weigh 205 pounds. I can't get passed the thought that a personal trainer should weigh 120 or something. I know there has to be clientel that would prefer me. If I were starting to work out at 374, I would've wanted someone like me rather than a skinny person who's never struggled with weight a day in their life. But how do I promote myself? Do any of you go to a gym where there's a trainer that isn't a size 2? What are your thoughts/opinions? Thanks, Lily

When I was 311 lbs, before WLS, I had a trainer who was about a size 12. She was solid, very tone. I loved her. I think there is definitely a market for fit and tone trainers who have a little meat on their bones. Good luck! Denise

Heck yes, give it a shot! You have a niche market. Plug into the weight loss communitee. laurie

Lily, I say give it a try, there's a lady at the YMCA here, she's certainly not a size 5 or what ever, but she does the water exercising classes, the people love her. I'm sure they would love you, besides I know personally I've feel more comfortable with having someone like yourself teaching the class, and wouldn't feel like I need to be a size 5 or whatever. If that makes sense! Go for it, you deserve to do what you want to and if you are good at why not? Amy

Thank y'all for your responses. I really think I'd enjoy doing this and that I could reach people that other trainers could not. I know at my heaviest, and even well after that, I wouldn't have felt comfortable going to an itsy bitsy trainer. I would've liked to go to someone who's been there, even if they aren't "skinny" by the world's standards. I think I'm just going to give it a try!

Lily...I've been thinking about doing that myself...I too workout a lot. And love it. Let me know how it goes! Don't worry about the weight...like you said...I'm sure you can reach people who would feel very uncomfortable working out with a size "2" trainer Hugs, Paola