I've been a lurking member for a while, never posting because becoming a PT is just a dream for the future so far.
I'm 29 and only started working out about 2 years ago, but realized pretty quickly that it's fantastic and though I've had many interests over the years I've never had a passion for the subject matter as much as this.
ANYWAY, quick and easy question; should I forget it if I can't lose 20 pounds?
I'm 5'8"ish and 155 - 160, BMI is 23 - 24. I work out hard four to five times a week and I'd say I'm pretty fit, but working on improving always. My RHR is usually between 42 - 50 in the middle of the day.
I just like to eat. I diet most of the week and then it falls apart on the weekends with pizza and wine, or fajitas and margaritas, or some family function, or whatever. I don't eat crap, I eat really really well. I track everything on fitday and I'm not very deficient in much. I eat lots of veg, almost nothing packaged. I really like to cook and, unfortunately... bake.
So, should I forget it or try anyway, and keep trying to lose weight? Sometimes I think if I keep trying, eventually it'll slowly come off; as I have good weeks and bad weeks and my fitness levels improve so I'll work out harder and harder as time goes on. Other times I think I'll just get more and more frustrated with it.
Thanks
PS: yes I'm just looking for confirmation of what I want to hear; but ONLY if it's true. If you honestly think I don't have the motivation and self control to be a PT, tell me.
There are lots of overweight PTs. It might be hard to get some clients, but some might be impressed that you also had to overcome a weight problem (and still are working at it).
One popular method to keep one's self on track with diets is the share your goals with family and friends. Your clients would work, too. Better, maybe, because if you fail in front of them, they might leave. Maybe they will be a good thing for you.
Think about it from the client's POV: if you can't figure out your own problems or know where to get help for them, why should the client think you can help them?
Remember that as a beginner, you aren't likely to have too many successful clients to rely on for referrals or as evidence of your expertise.
As a new trainer, I'm finding that being in shape yourself plugs many holes: 1. your first success story is yourself (pics help), 2. you have more starting credibility, 3. your confidence gets a boost because you know you look good, etc.
Naturally being in shape yourself is not the whole picture and that gets brought up pretty early in these types of discussions. But it can be a powerful piece of the puzzle for a beginning trainer IMO.
I have to agree that if you cannot figure out how to do it, how can you service any client who is overweight? That said, you shouldn't forget about it. You should study and learn how to do it. You may chose to not do it ultimately but at least you will learn how if you actually put real effort into it. It isn't just about starving yourself so that you cheat. It is about finding a balance that you can live with.
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The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
for one thing, 5 8 and 155-160 is NOT overweight unless you have sarcopenic obesity. a body fat measurement would clarify that point, unlikely in someone who is as young as you look in your avi.
you may still want to lose fat to optimize your body composition for performance or appearance goals. and certainly, transforming your own body will help you help others, no doubt.
as far as the way you are eating, many of the local trainers I know eat wholesome food most of the time, and have food indiscretions some of the time. that is called living. the 90 percent 10 percent rule.
I'm not actually over weight, no, but I'm not hard-bodied and I don't think I look like a trainer. I'm about 23% bodyfat, I think (I have calipers, I'm just not proficient at it.)
I think I'll do it eventually. My will power waxes and wanes, so its bound to come back strong again at some point if I continue looking for it. Getting to the 90%/10% rule is the aim; right now I'm at about 75%/25%.
To be honest, I think I could help some over weight people at the point I am now. I completely understand the struggle between wanting to enjoy meals and wanting to look perfect. I'll bet there's a relatively large market out there, in some places, of obese people who would connect better with a mentor wiho has a less-than-perfect body composition as well. I'm just not sure if I want to focus on over-weight people or just under-fit people; and I'm not sure I'm willing to bet all that with my living.
To be honest, I think I could help some over weight people at the point I am now. I completely understand the struggle between wanting to enjoy meals and wanting to look perfect. I'll bet there's a relatively large market out there, in some places, of obese people who would connect better with a mentor who has a less-than-perfect body composition as well. I'm just not sure if I want to focus on over-weight people or just under-fit people; and I'm not sure I'm willing to bet all that with my living.
The point isn't whether or not you're overweight. That's not really the issue. The point is how you're presenting yourself to clients and how they will feel about you. You're going to have to attract clients, attract being a key word.
Not to preach here, but understand that you are making a conscious choice to identify with a certain segment of the market while potentially turning off another part of the market. As long as you are aware that you're making that choice, then you may be doing the right thing.
The potential problem you might have is that the market may not be what you think it is and your assumptions could be wrong. You're basically making a gamble (as we all are) and run the risk of being wrong.
For me, I'm not willing to give the potential client any reason to reject my services. I want everything that can work for me to do just that. So right now I'm working hard on my weight and taking pictures to show that I, too, have been there but now I've conquered my problem.
A similar path would allow you to attract both groups instead of only one -- twice the potential client pool.
The point isn't whether or not you're overweight. That's not really the issue. The point is how you're presenting yourself to clients and how they will feel about you. You're going to have to attract clients, attract being a key word.
Not to preach here, but understand that you are making a conscious choice to identify with a certain segment of the market while potentially turning off another part of the market. As long as you are aware that you're making that choice, then you may be doing the right thing.
The potential problem you might have is that the market may not be what you think it is and your assumptions could be wrong. You're basically making a gamble (as we all are) and run the risk of being wrong.
For me, I'm not willing to give the potential client any reason to reject my services. I want everything that can work for me to do just that. So right now I'm working hard on my weight and taking pictures to show that I, too, have been there but now I've conquered my problem.
A similar path would allow you to attract both groups instead of only one -- twice the potential client pool.
Dave, I agree with you, actually. If I lived in London, I possibly would try it; being a big city, its better to minutely target the market. But I don't, and, as I said I'm not sure I want to be a nutritionist as much as a PT, which is where I see targeting over-weight clients could lead.
My decision isn't between who to target depending on how well I do with my body composition, but whether or not to become a PT at all. I can't even start any courses or training until at least the winter anyway, so I have time. I get really frustrated with myself, but ultimately, I just need to find the strength for a few weeks and then I'll have momentum.
As has been said above it is great that you are giving serious thought to becoming a PT. Many people train and get their cert, only to find there is much more to the job than they first thought! I would definately advise you to get in contact with some local PT's see if you can shadow one for the day and ask thier opinion!
Also many of the training providers have open days that you can attend to get a better idea of the actual course itself.
As for the weight issue, wee maybe you have just not found the right motivation to loose it, becoming a PT might be just what you need! You will also lear about behaviour change and this might be very valuable to you!
If you have any specific questions about being a PT in the UK feel free to contact me!
Here are my thoughts, who knows if they will help you!
Firstly, I agree with some of the others, looks can, unfortunately, attract a lot of potential clients. Ive seen this happen and it happens a hell of a lot!
If you are in a setting where you can get to know potential clients over time, and let them see how knowledgable you are, your personal appearence will not matter whatsoever.
However, first impressions count, so if you are aiming to get them hooked to you on a first encounter, your appearence needs to be immaculate.
It all depends how you are going to market yourself.
I know a lady who works where I work, who has got herself into a market now where her looks are unimportant (mentally disabled clients) and to look at her, you would have serious concerns about her ability to train you. She is I would say morbidly obese, seriously large, but, after speaking to her, I have found out she is sooo clued up it actually amazed me.
Where I work I would say the % of instructors who know there stuff is around 30%.
You need to make sure that you are in that 30% WITHOUT A DOUBT
After that, the instructors who look easy on the eye, in my opinion, is around 90%
The only instructor from the 30% of knowledgable staff who doesnt look that easy on the eye is me ;-)
I tend to grow a nice shaggy beard every few months, and let my hair get long now and again too. Add in a few tattoos, and im well set haha.
BUT
I also have standards about who I train, the serious trainers at the gym come to me for advice, and this ranges from big blokes, to young lads, to OAP women. I steer clear from the vain prettyboys, or the overweight women who want to lose weight but dont want to train hard.
I would guess, I rely on my reputation in my current climate becasue I can do just that.
If however I was going for a new job, or to see a potential new client privately for big bucks, then I would make far more effort than I do right now.
End of waffle!
Where are you from by the way? I have a few ideas for a target market of women looking to lose weight, would be willing to give you a few ideas no problem!
PT with 20 lbs to lose?
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