Would you use a trainer with an eating/exercise disorder?

[Anonymous]

I recently met a trainer who has gotten some positive reviews in my local mom's group. She seems nice and knowledgable but also seems to have some kind of eating or exercise disorder. She is very, very thin. In a concerning, unhealthy way.

Anyway, I'm trying to find a trainer right now and I'm not sure how I feel about this. Would this prevent you from using a trainer?

[Anonymous]

I have an eating disorder.
I know all the right things, I just have a mental illness that causes me to not play by all the rules myself.
So sure, why not. You can't really tell who has an ed or not. Some hide it well.
She's probably more sensitive to struggles than anyone and can guide you.
If it seems off then quit, but don't use some suspicion as a reason to walk away.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

No. I would not trust her nutrition or fitness advice because it's filtered through her disease. My best friend had to switch trainers because hers was a recovering alcoholic who gave my friend grief about going to happy hour, etc.

[Anonymous]

This would bother me. I would find someone else.

[Anonymous]

I would 100% find someone else.

I would never know if the person was giving legit advice or advice filtered through the disorder.

I think it's possible that the person has a really good understanding of food,nutrition, and exercise and just can't do the right things for herself. But in the end, this is a financial arrangement and why hire someone in whom you don't have full confidence?

[Anonymous]

I have an eating disorder, and I can't be around other people who have one too. It makes mine flare. So I'd keep looking.

[Anonymous]

Would you see a psychiatrist with anxiety/depression or an oncologist who is battling cancer? I would judge her more by her interaction with you and her knowledge/willingness to help you.

[Anonymous]

No.
Being a trainer and giving others fitness advice is part of the disorder for some, justifying the over exercising and diet as part of their job.
I would not want to be part of someone's illness in that way

[Anonymous]

NO!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you see a psychiatrist with anxiety/depression or an oncologist who is battling cancer? I would judge her more by her interaction with you and her knowledge/willingness to help you.

Why wouldn't you see an oncologist battling cancer? That would make them twice as good, in my opinion. Cancer is not a behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you see a psychiatrist with anxiety/depression or an oncologist who is battling cancer? I would judge her more by her interaction with you and her knowledge/willingness to help you.

Why wouldn't you see an oncologist battling cancer? That would make them twice as good, in my opinion. Cancer is not a behavior.

I think this PP is arguing that you would see an oncologist battling cancer, so you should also see a trainer with an eating disorder (if you interact well and trainer is knowledgeable and willing to help you).

I, like most other PPs, disagree. I can see that the person with the eating disorder might know a great deal about nutrition and simply be unable to apply that knowledge to herself (or himself). But on an anonymous board, you're asking would I put my health in the hands of someone who appears unhealthy. And the answer is I would not.

I would see an oncologist who had cancer. As you say, cancer is not a behavior. Would I see a counselor with anxiety/depression? If it was obvious, I probably would not.

[Anonymous]

Just by participating in this field a trainer with an eating disorder is playing with fire. Its like someone with a gambling addiction working in a casino. There is no way the work isn't filtered through her disorder. She's around bodies and people trying to reshape their bodies all the time.

Not at all like the oncologist with cancer. Its a mental illness, emphasis on illness, to be sure but the work itself is unhealthy.

[Anonymous]

Behavioral issues =/= cancer.

[Anonymous]

How in the world do you know the trainer has a disorder? It's possible the person is suffering from a medical condition -- I've known several people who seemed like they might have had an eating disorder but simply had thyroid issues beyond their control. I think it's a little presumptuous to assume the person has an eating or exercise disorder.

I would take it more based on what the person says and advises you. Does the person expect you to look like him/her? If so, that's not reasonable and suggests a disordered way of viewing the world. Or does the person emphasize health and happiness over appearance? Or strive to find out what you want and work to help you achieve your personal goals?