Answers (8)
1
Hi Marlan,
after reading the article, I had really mixed emotions. I try to take the most positive angle and truly believe that the trainer has the best intentions to understand how it feels to be obese. And I also have no doubt that he will succeed in morphing himself back into his former trim physique.
We all know that diet and exercise will enable people lose weight and get fit. This trainer will prove that point, and I sincerely hope that he will not suffer any long-term effects from his experiment.
But what will be the point at the end of it? Will this be a self-congratulation of the "if I can do it, so can you"-kind?
People do not set out to make themselves obese. The factors of getting there are numerous, from family upbringing to emotions to lack of education. A 70 pound weight gain is usually the result of many years. I hated to see the comment in the article of "letting myself go like this". I did not like this phrase at all. It contains a judgment that I would not dare to render on an overweight person.
Overweight people rarely had a habit of regular exercise. As trainers, we may hear their stories how much they enjoyed PE - 40 years ago. It is a challenging job for us to re-acquaint them with their bodies' inate ability to move.
In summary: I applaud the best intentions of this trainer. No doubt, he means well. But I fear that this experiment will prove nothing new.
after reading the article, I had really mixed emotions. I try to take the most positive angle and truly believe that the trainer has the best intentions to understand how it feels to be obese. And I also have no doubt that he will succeed in morphing himself back into his former trim physique.
We all know that diet and exercise will enable people lose weight and get fit. This trainer will prove that point, and I sincerely hope that he will not suffer any long-term effects from his experiment.
But what will be the point at the end of it? Will this be a self-congratulation of the "if I can do it, so can you"-kind?
People do not set out to make themselves obese. The factors of getting there are numerous, from family upbringing to emotions to lack of education. A 70 pound weight gain is usually the result of many years. I hated to see the comment in the article of "letting myself go like this". I did not like this phrase at all. It contains a judgment that I would not dare to render on an overweight person.
Overweight people rarely had a habit of regular exercise. As trainers, we may hear their stories how much they enjoyed PE - 40 years ago. It is a challenging job for us to re-acquaint them with their bodies' inate ability to move.
In summary: I applaud the best intentions of this trainer. No doubt, he means well. But I fear that this experiment will prove nothing new.
1
In addition to reading the short article, I went further and went to his site http://fit2fat2fit.com/ complete with the PayPal donation button.
I would like to think that this trainer is doing this solely to inspire people to get and stay fit but I am having a difficult time in doing so.
I would like to think that this trainer is doing this solely to inspire people to get and stay fit but I am having a difficult time in doing so.
1
I know people are having a problem with the fact that he is asking for donations and that he will likely charge for his new information product. I don't blame him for that at all. We all charge for our time and information and this is no different, especially if it works.
As for putting on the weight to feel what it's like, I think he would have been better off getting a fat suit. He's right that he's never really going to know what it feels like to be obese and then have to struggle to get fit. But if I was training to be an addictions counselor, does that mean I have to take on an addiction to understand my clients better? It's flawed logic.
In as far as my own business is concerned, I do know what it's like to be fit and then fat and then continue to struggle to get fit despite many obstacles. While I can't say that I know what it's like to take up two seats on the bus, I can say I know what it's like not to be able to run across the street, kneel without pain, being frustrated with clothes shopping and dealing with mean things people say. Those experiences are just as valid as the ones he has had being fit all of his life.
Perhaps what this trainer really needs to do is spend more time with obese people, hear their stories, and be an advocate for their health. If he can't do that, then he might want to find another niche. And since he has been fit all of his life, maybe he would do better with clients that have a similar background who are training for something else.
That's just my two cents.
As for putting on the weight to feel what it's like, I think he would have been better off getting a fat suit. He's right that he's never really going to know what it feels like to be obese and then have to struggle to get fit. But if I was training to be an addictions counselor, does that mean I have to take on an addiction to understand my clients better? It's flawed logic.
In as far as my own business is concerned, I do know what it's like to be fit and then fat and then continue to struggle to get fit despite many obstacles. While I can't say that I know what it's like to take up two seats on the bus, I can say I know what it's like not to be able to run across the street, kneel without pain, being frustrated with clothes shopping and dealing with mean things people say. Those experiences are just as valid as the ones he has had being fit all of his life.
Perhaps what this trainer really needs to do is spend more time with obese people, hear their stories, and be an advocate for their health. If he can't do that, then he might want to find another niche. And since he has been fit all of his life, maybe he would do better with clients that have a similar background who are training for something else.
That's just my two cents.
1
Nasty. I just read about it. I relate with my obese clients. They cry, they joke about it, they hurt, they're sick, they hate it, THEY ARE DYING EARLY and they know it! I don't judge them and help them build support networks that don't judge them. I'm not getting ill along side them; they are getting healthier along side me. I get out there and I meet them. I've been clothes shopping, grocery shopping, doctor visiting, house cleaning, and more with obese clientele. Maybe I'm an extreme also but I'm not going to injure myself like this guy. Points for publicity go to him though. (...still new to marketing I guess)
0
The if I can do it so can you, may not be valid.
The NIH and the NHLBI evidence report on obesity (find it online) suggests that there exists at minimum a 40% genetic factor. Other scientists are suggesting that impulse control may be a brain wiring issue, or a not firing correctly problem.
It may be that obesity is not as much self determined as we once believed.
Danielle
The NIH and the NHLBI evidence report on obesity (find it online) suggests that there exists at minimum a 40% genetic factor. Other scientists are suggesting that impulse control may be a brain wiring issue, or a not firing correctly problem.
It may be that obesity is not as much self determined as we once believed.
Danielle
0
Wow, just wow. I know my answer is different than everyone else’s. But I think this guy is a rock star. I will be following his progress for sure. It’s something different, a wakeup call to some people. To hear someone who knows what it’s like to be fit and healthy describe their everyday life like it’s some horrible thing. I think its different coming from him vs coming from a fat person becoming thin. If you’re fat going on thin then it’s all about benefits, getting better. If you’re thin going on fat it more like everything is only going to get worse. Since so many people aren’t taking steps to get thin, maybe what they need is incentive to not get fatter.
0
It's his body, he can (mis) treat it however he likes. I guess it will make interesting marketing material for him once he's done: before, after, and then back to the before shot?? I didn't read beyond the provided clip, so I'm not clear why he needs donations; I thought a crappy lifestyle was less expensive i.e., processed foods, no gym/trainer costs, etc..I suppose it'll be interesting to see how this process unfolds.
