Becoming a Personal Trainer

 Kinda just using ya'll as a sounding board.  So I finally get my bachelor's degree at the end of this summer and my husband and I were talking about what I want to do.  My daughter is special needs and we were both talking about how we just couldn't ever see putting her in child care long term.  That's a lot to expect from someone else.  Also, we move, A LOT, like ever 18-24 months.  So it's very hard to find a decent job when they see how many places I've worked, I look like a flake though it isn't my fault. He suggested I look at becoming a personal trainer, to the obese or even specializing in spouses of military members.  He said with my track record it would give me "street cred"  and it's a pretty flexible job.

 I wouldn't need full-time income this is more a for my sanity sort of job and well I really like my new exercise habits.  

So anyway, what do you think, would you ever look at a personal trainer who had surgery to help lose weight?  Do you think I'm really going to fight that "you cheated" attitude and can I overcome it?  Does it just sound stupid!?

 I think it's a fantastic idea.  There are all kinds of special certifications out there that teach you how to train folks with special challenges.....and people with those certifications AND a level of empathy/sympathy for the difference in ability for the morbidly or super morbidly obese are very hard to find.  Believe me, we're about to move to a new area and I'm having a really hard time finding someone.

You should definitely go for it!

 I hate it when people think those who have weight loss surgery are "cheating".  Do they have any idea how much hard work it is to change your life after WLS?

If I found a personal trainer who had WLS and was successful, I would LOVE to work with him or her.  I can relate to someone who's walked where I've walked more than I can to someone who has always been thin, loves to exercise, and doesn't have any food issues.

I say go for it!!  I bet you'll be super popular with clients!!

 As a fellow military spouse, I think that is a great idea!  This is definitely a job you can take with you wherever you go.  I do not think people will feel like you cheated.  WLS is just a tool, it is not what makes you exercise.  Exercise is something that everyone has to make the choice to do.  

I have been thinking about doing this myself and I think anyone of us would pick a trainer who had weight loss surgery to help us than one who didn't. AND a great way to market ourselves!

I think it is a great idea. I have a personal trainer, who has taught me a lot and helped me to make many improvements in my fitness level during the past 1.5 years that I have been working with her. But, my experience with WLS has also helped her with another client of hers that has had WLS and other obese clients, so we have taught each other. I say, "Go for it!"

Gail

 Personally, the attitudes I have gotten from personal trainers about how I "cheated" have kept me from going back to anywhere more than once.  

I would rather have a personal trainer that "gets it" and that is more understanding.  Plus willing to work with those of us who need some compassion and understanding. 

 I think, though I'd have to look at the cost of insurance, that self-employed would be the way to go!  I honestly don't see a big box gym hiring someone who'd had weight loss surgery and since we are not a "protected class" they are free to discriminate.

They can't ask you if you've had WLS in an interview, they just need to see your credentials.  No need to volunteer and info.  When they see how you work, why would they ever regret hiring you, surgery or not?

 that's a good point, though a quick google of me will show up my blog where I'm obviously forthcoming about surgery along with everything else.