Our wonderful “leader” at Mamavation, Leah Segedie is asking fitness bloggers to explore ideas to “Create a Better Fit” for everyone. This is a very interesting topic. When I first considered the question of what can be improved in health and fitness, I was lucky to think of many successful experiences I had throughout my fitness and weight loss journey. I was extremely lucky during my overweight period to feel welcome and appreciated at the gym where I belonged. There was a nice mix of body types and I never felt like people were staring at me.
Fast forward about 10 years. I moved across the country and considered joining the local YMCA. This is after I was actually in pretty great shape. But, I felt like a piece of meat in that environment and I did notice the stares and snickers toward people who were overweight. I never went back.
Luckily, I have found another gym that has been extremely helpful as I’ve struggled coming back from an injury and more weight gain than I’ve had in many years. It is for women only of all shapes and sizes and everyone is so welcoming and encouraging of one another. I wish that all women (and men) could belong to a gym like this. Everyone needs to feel like they are part of supportive community no matter what size they are.
As someone who struggles with depression and anxiety, this is the one area where I KNOW most trainers and health club professionals are clueless. So many people who are overweight have emotional issues to deal with. Trainers need to get to know clients as people and not just as numbers on the scale and a measuring tape. I have worked with clients of all shapes and sizes. We work on creating small successes and never try to jump into too many changes at once. I had one client who could barely walk up and down a flight of stairs when we first met. Weeks later, she could walk up and down 5 times and we celebrated that success.
I don’t have all the answers. Stereotypes in society SUCK, but health club owners and trainers can do a lot to help create an atmosphere where they work that is welcoming for all. Spend some true time getting to know clients as people. All gyms should have a quiet “chat” room for this type of thing.
Well, that’s all I have time for this week, but I am really excited to be part of this initiative. I could not agree more that we can work together to create a better FIT for all.
This post is part of a Blogging Carnival. If you would like to create your own post, or check out others, link up HERE! If you join in or have some ideas, use the hashtag #CREATINGABETTERFIT to share your ideas on Twitter too.
This is serving double duty as My Mamavation Monday post too. For info on Mamavation Monday, go HERE.
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