Looking the part - part deaux

I keep re-reading my last post and I don't think I expressed myself clearly (a reason why I wasn't on the senior debate team in HS - I can make an argument, but have difficulty expressing myself clearly without mulling over my viewpoint).  So here I am again with the issue.

Thinking about looking the part of what you're selling leads me to think about the issue of body image. Am I wrong to say that I wouldn't chose someone who appears to look unfit as my trainer?  Then why would my workout partner chose to workout with me?  Yes motivation is different than training, but she could just as easily pick someone who 'looks' fit as her source of motivation.  We are, however, constantly cheering each other on and making sure we don't pass out during some of the workout classes.

We both talk a lot about body image and acknowledge there are certain areas of our bodies that we would like to change and are working towards changing.  However, we both say we want to avoid being super skinny - that's not our idea of beauty. Lately there has been national discussion on the issue of super skinny vs curvy in fashion mags, including many of us who follow Mad Men's favorite character.  Did ya'll know Christina Hendricks measurements are 39D-30-39? And my idea of super skinny are the resurgent of models who are so thin, you see collar bones, hip bones, knees and are poorly underdeveloped to the point they appear to look like pre-pubescent boys. Even Rachel Zoe can appear to be too skinny. That is simply my opinion on the super skinny issue.

So again thinking of looking the part and body image, I would have to say, again, we are all at different stages of weight loss - some have made it maintenance, some of us are still trying to get past those first 10 lbs.  So if there is someone a little plumper than my ideal, who's to say that person isn't the trainer/motivator for someone else? Maybe I need to get over my idea of looking the part and work towards achieving it!

You gotta look the part...

in order to sell me the package.  At least that's my opinion when it comes to personal consultants: life coaches, AVON Reps, Mary Kay consultants and especially fitness trainers. 

I had this argument with my on/off workout partner. I said I would strive to be a fitness coach if I was in better shape. Her argument is that many ppl look fit but aren't. True enough. But that's not the point. If I am going to sell this, I gotta look like I know what I'm doing and talking about.

I am amazed that the folks at one of the gyms I visit has a good number of out of shape employees ranging from front desk check in to sales floor to the child care.  With a free membership as an employment perk, how could that be? I mused that I am surprised at the number of memberships this gym sells because their employees don't look the part of being fit. No, you don't have to be super thin to be fit and I realize you don't have to workout in order to sell me a gym membership.

But would you buy makeup from woman who never wears makeup or applies it in such a garish way that it screams Halloween each day?  Would you invest your money with an investment banker who is broke?  Would you pay for a life coach whose own life is out of sorts? 

When seeking out a fitness trainer, I want to see someone who appears fit, muscular with little to no jiggle. I want to train with someone who has a body shape similar to my personal goal. Yes, I would love to look like Donna Richardson Joyner! She can sell me a gym membership any day!



Photo from Cafe Mom

Thinking...

1. While flipping past America's Got Talent last night, two brothers exhibited immense strength with one balanced on top of the other's neck while the bottom brother balanced on his arm. This is a true testament to strength and skill - I don't think this is talent.

2. My daily drive past a certain church's billboard...sign read "In order to spread happiness, you must divide it". Lead me to think about the quote divide and conquer. Can we conquer this world of hate by dividing happiness?

3. Bumper sticker on the car in front of me read "save beef, run over a chicken" - not a chick-fil-a ad, but a beef herder from Zavalia Farms. Reminded me of all the road kill I saw driving to Beaumont this past weekend. Wonder if the Road Kill Cafe in Northern California is still operating?

Final thought for this morning...I really need to finish cleaning the produce out of my fridge.

Just some crazy random-ness floating around my skull

Why is it one side of my panties keep riding up?

Why can't my hair look as good in real life as I imagine it in my head?

I need to clean up the explosion in my home office.

Must send out party invitations this week.

Should I get a convo setting or dinning setting for the new patio set?

And on a sad note, I tearfully bid adieu to Filene's Basement, Crabtree & Evelyn, and Eddie Bauer *sniff*