Misconceptions Based on Body Type

Countless studies out there have shown that when someone sees an overweight person, they view this individual as lazy, undiscplined, slob-like and lacking in the self-control department. Research has even gone so far as to prove that interviewers see potential employees as less hard-working and less organized when the interviewee is overweight. It's a subconscious thought--even the nicest, least-judgmental of us has no doubt experienced this sudden assumption of the character of an overweight person.

Personal trainers and other health professionals can fall into this same trap. We can assume that our clients, if overweight, are majorly lacking in discipline and lead ambitionless, disorganized lives. I would pose that perhaps it's not a discipline problem as much as it's a priority problem. Of course other things can be to blame--hormone imbalances, medications, emotional trauma, etc. But at first glance, we look at these overweight clients and say to ourselves, "Surely, if they wanted to lose weight, they would just DO IT already!" Take the recent story about personal trainer, Drew Manning, for example. He was a self-professed judgmental trainer. So, to put himself in his clients shoes, he took it upon himself to gain 70 pounds (see below), by foregoing his workouts and indulging in junk food. He learned that when the weight piles on, lots of mental changes happen too--feelings of insecurity, self-consiousness and lethargy to name a few--forcing him to relate to and understand his clients better. (He quickly lost the 70 pounds and is back to his former ripped self, but talk about a drastic form of professional development!)

Now, all you skinny people out there, don't think that you're not being judged too. A recent article in Glamour magazine, discussed the misconceptions women have based solely on other women's bodies. Again, fat people were viewed as lazy, disorganized, gluttonous, etc., as mentioned above. But the thin women were judged by their peers as being uptight, controlling, snobby, bitchy and self-centered, to name a few. The road goes both ways. Sadly, neither are true.

Do you find yourself judging people this way? In recent years through work, I've met countless overweight people who are also extremely hard-working, who are talented at balancing demanding careers and busy families, and who have climbed to successful positions in their careers due to their discipline and knowledge. On the flip side, I've known thin people who, due to amazing genetics, stay thin and muscular without putting in an ounce of time at the gym.

“Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I'm not perfect -and I don't live to be- but before you start pointing fingers...make sure you hands are clean!” -Bob Marley

Getting Some R&R

A couple weeks ago, we took a vacation to Florida and New Orleans which marked something pretty significant for me: it was the first time I had taken a week off from exercise in exactly 2 years. In May of 2010, I did not workout at all during our week-long Florida trip, but in 2011, due to marathon training, I still ran (although on a limited basis) during both my Myrtle Beach and Florida vacations.

This vacation was perfect timing. We left one week after my half-marathon, and if there's ever a time where I'm the least motivated to run, it's the month after a race--especially when it was one where I completed a big goal. The extent of my working out during the trip was carrying beach chairs and then walking from one restaurant/bar to the next in New Orleans.

The Monday back from vacation was a rude awakening. I tried to run, thinking I would do 3-5 miles. Not only could I not keep up my pre-vacation pace, but I felt miserable. I'm sure I was still dehydrated from an entire week of laying in the sun and a bad diet, but during the 3 mile run, I had to stop to walk twice, because I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. Not sure what else I was expecting though, after 9 days off!

I really think that a week off here and there is good for the body, especially for those, like me, who are used to a routine of working out at least once per day and who are cosntantly training for something. I always feel tightness in my hips and other leg muscles, and with my job, I'm sometimes overloading muscles due to teaching group fitness and not getting that ideal day off in between strength training sessions. After vacation though, I noticed that every last bit of that tightness was gone. Mentally, it's good for me too, to go a whole week without planning any workouts, not even my own.

Of course I've definitely amped up my workouts and food-tracking since I've been back to make up for the good time we had!

You're not a real runner if....

After working in the world of fitness for 6 years, running races, and people-watching all the time, I've put together a list of funny things that label you as NOT a true runner. I'm sure I'm at the risk of offending some poeple, so if you started out running like this, you've since learned the error of your ways, I'm sure. And again, it's just meant to be funny. :)

You're not a REAL runner if....
1. If you run in Skechers Shape-Ups, Reebok Run Tones or any other "toning" shoes of the sort. I have major beef with these shoes anyway--usually the poeple who try them out are looking for quick fixes and are the culprits of creative marketing--but it's beyond me how poeple can run in these!
2. If you run more than 10 miles in cotton t-shirts, flannel shorts or sweatpants. In other words, anything made of a material that works better sitting on a couch than absorbing sweat.
3. If the treadmill is your BFF. For real runners, the treadmill is always Plan B. Made for days of inclement weather, quick easy workouts--not for serious training.
4. If you wear water-bottle belts, load up on gel packs and stop at every Gatorade station....for a 5K.
5. If the 5K is your best race. Real runners know that we never hit that "feel good" point until somewhere between mile 2-5. We're only getting started at 3.1.
6. If by "running," you mean that you exercised on the elliptical. I have heard countless poeple say, "Yeah, I got a 30-minute run in on the elliptical." Running and elliptical don't belong in the same sentence.
7. And lastly...if any of these are you: Awkward Runners

Feel free to add your own to this list!