Question for all of Alissa's teachers. Please help!!

[tanishamarshall]

Are any of you still plus size and teaching classes? If so please share how people reacted to you?

I really want to start now teaching others about raw food but I wonder if they will have concerns about me not being skinny.

I have lost weight and have changed several sizes now since being raw and to me that is a great testimoney and in addition to the weight loss the pain I use to have when I was eating SAD is now gone, as for my PCOS I haven't been back to the doc yet to see how things look but I plan to go within a year of being raw and I hope there will be a difference in the test.

I don't plan to use my weight as an accuse to not teach but I just wonder what I'm up against and how people have responded to others that were still plus size.

Please share anything you think might be helpful.

Tanisha

[shine72]

I left Alissa's still being over the 200 pound mark. That in NO way stopped me. People here your passion and enthusiasm. I also show my students my before pictures and tell them my story. They don't stand in judgement, they are just like "Wow, look at you go!" Your passion is what will ignite them!:D

[tanishamarshall]

Wow thanks Great Idea, I can show my before and after.

[Dandelion Girl]

Sunshine is right. Your passion and the improvements you have seen already will be what people relate to. In many cases, I think it helps for people to see you during the journey because they realize that they can do it too.

Pam

[ladypeace82]

Ya you can have a poster board of pics set up so they can see your before and afters for the whole class. Just when they think what your teaching is complicated, they can just glance over and be like, "dang! it's totally worth it!" :)

[EZ rider]

There was a thread here awhile back about Victoria Boutenko
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=31221&highlight=Victoria+B
and how she dosn't look like a runway model. My opinion now is the same as it was then and that is: its the message that should be heard and that we as raw foodist are all on a journey and it is in progress. Victoria B is on her journey and she has learned many things along the way and she wants to share them. I applaud her for her efforts on behalf of all of us.

[beppa66]

Hi Doc,
I agree. Most women are NOT runway models but real women with real lives and problems...including the need for health and weightloss. People will relate to you and you will attract just the right audience for your message. GO FOR IT!!!

[kiropa]

i'd come to your class. absolutely! does that help?

[luckitri]

I say go for it as well. I have difficulty with the way people tear others down without knowing all the factors involved. There are many medical problems that can cause weight gain and we can utilize the doctors' tests to pinpoint these problems and then do what we choose with that knowledge. I am impressed with your enthusiasm and believe that will carry you all the way.

Ooops! Sorry I am not a teacher! But I still think you can do it!

[tanishamarshall]

i'd come to your class. absolutely! does that help?

Thanks Kiropa!! I really believe I will impact a lot of people.

[tanishamarshall]

I say go for it as well. I have difficulty with the way people tear others down without knowing all the factors involved. There are many medical problems that can cause weight gain and we can utilize the doctors' tests to pinpoint these problems and then do what we choose with that knowledge. I am impressed with your enthusiasm and believe that will carry you all the way.

Ooops! Sorry I am not a teacher! But I still think you can do it!

That's ok that you're not a teacher, I welcome advice for anyone.

I also agree that people like to judge and don't really know all of the facts. I won't let this stop me and plus I have been consistanly losing weight, a shirt that I put on last week fits much loser this week so I'm doing something right.

Tanisha

[justinesmith]

Your enthusiasm and willingness to help others is what will draw people to your class not your pant size. We all come in different shapes and sizes but it is easy to feel self concious. Good luck and I know you will rawk when you begin your teaching journey! :)

[Angelina]

I had been a personal trainer for over 10 years (not actively training now); I also had health issues that resulted in a sudden, dramatic weight gain (most recently 40lbs!!), through the past few years my weight would yo yo all over the place, I would take some off only to put some back on.. I always used to be soo self conscious when my weight would go up thinking how can I be an inspiration to anyone when I didn't "look the part" and I am sure some people felt that I didnt' practice what I taught, but then there were others that "got" it and still knew I had it all together and was still competent in my field. I really think my ATTITUDE was a big part of it - I DIDN'T FEEL IT so I didn't PROJECT IT.

I agree with the others, your enthusiasm and attitude is what is going to get people to pay attention! NOW GO KNOCK EM DEAD!!! LOL..OR SHALL I SAY - GO KNOCK EM RAW!

[mulch]

i thank it is nice to learn from someday that doesn't look perfect. people judge people either way based on their weight. what you can offer them is someone who is going through the journey weight wise with them. if you are not trying to loose more weight then you can just tell people about the benefits that are not weight related. if you ever move the meetup a little more north i would definitely come.

[Raw Angel Mom]

If this can make you feel comfortable, you can print a before picture of you before you started raw food. People would see that raw food really work. Also, you are so radiant, this is so easy to see that you are caring for yourself.

Congratulation on this journey, please don't give up and let this part of you holding you back.

Blessings!

[Aleesha Sattva]

also... people becoming RAW shouldn't just be "oh i wanna loose weight" as this is a lifestyle, a belief system really. if they do raw for weight loss chances are they'll be back to a SAD diet after their loss and gain it all back.

i would rather hear someone talk about the benefits of overall health to RAW instead of 'yet another' quick fix.

i do teach classes (not in RAW) and i know my students see my passion, see my belief and i know they learn more from me because of my passion. so go be passionate and share your entire experience with them... i bet they'll get so much out of your talks AND maybe loose a few pounds on the side!

[tanishamarshall]

also... people becoming RAW shouldn't just be "oh i wanna loose weight" as this is a lifestyle, a belief system really. if they do raw for weight loss chances are they'll be back to a SAD diet after their loss and gain it all back.

i would rather hear someone talk about the benefits of overall health to RAW instead of 'yet another' quick fix.

i do teach classes (not in RAW) and i know my students see my passion, see my belief and i know they learn more from me because of my passion. so go be passionate and share your entire experience with them... i bet they'll get so much out of your talks AND maybe loose a few pounds on the side!

Thanks Goddess. I agree it shouldn't be about weight loss as I know this just from my own experience when I was on all kinds of diets, you always end up going back to your old habits. I can't wait to share this with everyone.