WHY do we have so many obese instructors, trainers, coaches etc????

Obviously. I am not usually this up in arms about this but I think trainers, coaches, and instructors SHOULD BE good role models and good examples. Kids already don't listen to you if you don't put into practice what you TELL them... how many teens actually listen to parents who say 'don't smoke and drink and don't sleep around' and yet the teens see the parents smoking, drinking, and having affairs? Really? This is just another example of the same thing.

I know that a lot of people might put on weight or stop caring about how they look if their lives get too busy but when your JOB or CAREER revolves around training, physical education, or sports, you really should pay more attention to the example you will be setting for your class, clients, etc. Some people clearly don't care, because they are also obese, out of shape, or not going to the class or trainer for specific reasons, maybe they have to take the course for school and are only interested in doing well enough not to fail, maybe they have been sent to a trainer by their doctor, and some people might choose someone who is also a similar body type because they are intimidated by a fit person. I guess it depends on your motivation but I think for the sake of kids, these adults need to pay attention to their example, not just what they are teaching. I don't want some 300 lb obese smoking guy to teach my daughter kung fu lol

Bah. This happens on Biggest Loser every single season.Those people dont quit lol. Honestly, like I told several other responders, it's not about them being 'fat' or 'a bigger person'. There are extremely fit people who are in shape who may still be overweight or 'larger'. The thing is... these people model healthy habits. So what if they don't weigh 110 lbs? At least they are working out 2 hours a day and they probably are well off - healthwise. Coaches, instructors, and trainers should bottom line be FIT and DEMONSTRATE all the healthy habits they expect to encourage YOU to do. Doesn't mean they need to be thin but they need to model the habits and not be unhealthy. The person in the example I was specifying didn't appear to even be ABLE to do the routines she was expecting of her clients/students. We're talking 35-50 lb little girls here. I highly doubt she was even in shape enough to ATTEMPT jumping around the way the girls do.

This woman on the show I happened to see when I came up with this discussion was NOT dancing with the girls, she was doing pretty much nothing but yelling at the parents of the girls and sashaying around acting like she was God's gift to the dance world while I'm sitting here thinking ' I would not take dance from you in a MILLION years'. My daughter did ballet and tap when she was in preschool and jazz when she was in 1st grade. She has had a few teachers and all of them actually took dance lessons when they were little girls and grew up in the dance studios where they now teach. They compete and go to classes themselves so they are able to stay current and teach the girls what they need to know as well as prep for recital and performances. They are not necessarily the thinnest girls ever but they are FIT and in SHAPE and they were beautiful dancers with great technique and talent. I was just fine having them teach my daughter - and none of them ever yelled at her or me or critiqued her unfairly.

I'll check it out . There are a lot of programs out there, I'm actually a distance runner and I cross train at jazzercise. I don't do a ton of other 'outside' things but I run because I enjoy it, not because I need to lose any weight. I just feel it's silly for someone who is selling health and fitness to be obviously unhealthy and unfit and to have no excuse for why they aren't.

Hi! It's good to see you here again as well! I agree about doctors - and actually there have been one or two doctors who were on Biggest Loser who mentioned that they were undertaking this to become healthy and become a good example to their patients as well. I don't think I could take health advice seriously from someone who was really obese, who didn't own a pair of workout shoes, and who was sucking down 5 hour energy shots and a frappuccino while talking to me lol.

Oh yes... some of them DO get clients. And some of them are on tv shows no less. Disturbing.

Um.... no, it's about people who encourage you or TELL you to do healthy things when THEY clearly do not. This isn't just about how they look or what they weigh. It's also about what they say matching up with what they do, their attitude. A good leader is not someone who barks orders. A good leader is one who gets to know you, who listens, and who most of all would get in the trenches side by side with you and help you dig your way out of a hole. Not only would they do that but if they advocate a specific diet, THEY will model it. If they ask for a certain workout or calorie burn, they will be doing it too - being a good example. If you are not a good example, I don't care what you tell me. I need to SEE that you believe in what you tell me, and the only way to see that is if you are modeling it and following it.

Well... if the 'obese person' was actually fit and actually modeling the behavior (healthy habits) they expected from their clients or students, I wouldn't be up in arms about this. The issue is that the trainer or instructor is acting as if they are the Queen of (insert field here) yet they couldn't even perform the routines or sport they are 'coaching'! They critique and rant about the client's or student's meals or snacks yet you see them chowing down on whatever. It's just really disrespectful and doesn't make much sense.

Absolutely . It's all about attitude and modeling the behavior. It's hard to trust somebody who is smoking like a chimney and looks like they are going to keel over any minute.... who critiques your lunch at subway (you ate too much bread and cut the mayo!) yet while you're out running 15 miles you see them driving along beside you eating snickers bars and chugging red bull.