I was reading one of the blog posts on spark people the other day and the particular post was a review of Heavy Weight Yoga, and the poster was saying how she had never been overweight so she doesn't understand what it's like but assumes that it would make certain activities more difficult. For some reason I have been thinking about that line for a day now. I've never really thought about the difference between listening to skinny people for advice or fat people or fat people that have lost the weight. Who knows best? Does anyone?
My nutritionist is very slender, I really respect what she has to say. Of course she's never pointed out that she doesn't understand where I'm coming from because she's never been fat like me. We talk about food like it's a science, and it's one that she's studied and it's good to understand, scientifically, what's going on inside my body. I have insulin resistance, so my science is out of whack. It's good to learn that.
So, why did it bug me the way the blogger started the review? I'm not quite sure. I think it was the quick way that she pointed out that she has no first hand knowledge of working out with extra pounds. But was that really necessary? I kind of feel like it came across like she didn't want anyone to confuse her with an overweight person. I am probably reading too much into it but it made me think about who I want to get my advice from.
For the science of it all, definitely someone trained. You don't need to understand "what it's like" if you've got the degree to back you up. However, beyond that. You guys are the ones I turn to. Who knows better than someone struggling with weight, what the struggles are like. How difficult ups and downs are, how we can workout and eat right for months and see absolutely no change. I think it's important for people that haven't gone through this to spend some time getting to know the struggles that we are all facing before dispensing advice. It's just not as easy as calories in vs. calories out.
Who are your best sources for weight loss information?
7 comments:
I agree with you! It is so hard to know who to listen to.
It's nice to talk with someone who is also struggling with a weight issue, because of the empathy. But, who are they to give advice? They are fat too!
And, the last thing I want to do is listen to some skinny minnie who has no clue what I am going through, even if she's very knowledgeable.
My biggest source of inspiration and quality of advice is from people who HAVE been in my shoes, and are now at goal. I want someone to empathize with where I am now, but show me where I can be, because THEY did it.
gosh I think back to when I saw a nutritionist years ago adn she was a skinny lil thing! lol I discussed bingeing with her adn she just stared at me. lol I doubt she ever ate a mcnugget, let alone a 20 piece alone. I got over that need to binge- but I do like the fact that my weight watcher leader (s) have all lost significant amounts of weight to do their job. It helps to know that they were once struggling. I went into one meeting adn the leader introduced herself and told us that she lost 18 pounds 6 years ago adn has been a leader ever since. I was not impressed. I want to be motivated and inspired by the person helping me on my weight loss journey.
I agree with TJ. I always say you never know what it's like unless you have been here. My WW leader calls those people civilians...lol
Do you know the perfect solution? Find someone who was once heavy and lost a ton of weight, but is now an educated nutritionist and trainer. ;) I sure wish there were more of those around.
I feel it is important to listen to people who are educated and professionally help with weight loss every day. But, what I really need is the support that everyone on these blogs give. Some days you just have one of those days where you just want to give up or give in. But than you read others' successes or you receive a comment and it gets you motivated and keeps you going.
Maybe the writer was just qualifying her expertise by explaining she can't fully experience the class since she is not overweight...
I really don't believe anyone's advice anymore, lol! There's such conflicting information out there. I just try to focus on "eat less, move more".
I totally agree with you guys people that those that have succeeded are the best to learn from. Have any of you thought about getting a nutrition degree? You could be that person for all of us!
Hmm for me it's hard to find "the one" person to motivate me, but I do try to find similarities with others (my trainer, nutritionist, gym buddy, or blog pals), and try to learn and absorb whatever good qualities or habits I see -- one person's really persistent with eating healthy, another person works out like there's no tomorrow, a person is really resourceful with healthy snacks etc..
mm this way I think there's something to learn from (almost) everybody :>
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