LGBTQIA+ Youth and Physical Activity

LGBTQIA+ Youth and Physical Activity

ACE has teamed up with Louise Green, founder of the Size Inclusive Fitness Academy (SITA), to launch a new Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist program that launched last month. Creating this program is part of ACE’s larger effort to help create a more inclusive fitness industry.

Lewis is also an award-winning author, lecturer and fitness trainer. We caught up with Louise to talk about the significance of the event. That and how we can all become more engaged fitness professionals.

ACE: Why is a comprehensive fitness specialist program important?

Louis: Sized fitness specialist programs are very important. Because we are dealing with a marginalized population. And often this leads to gyms. In general, there is no tier coverage for our industry. And as a result, it creates barriers for people in larger buildings to access exercise space. Population increases with increasing number of corpses. It is now 70% of the US population. Fitness professionals have the potential to be catalysts for creating lasting health outcomes for this population. If we can train professionals in this field, we have a great opportunity to make a major impact on the health of the country.

ACE: What do you think is most important for fitness professionals to understand about weight loss?

Louis: It’s important for fitness professionals to understand that weight biases are common and that we live in a weight biased society where these biases are normal. Statistics show that weight bias is more harmful than being overweight. This is because bias spreads between individuals through social pressure and internalized weight biases. Internalized weight bias can have serious mental health consequences. And people with a common weight bias create higher levels of obstacles to overcome. The problem is that many trainers and organizations are not aware that they are working with a weight bias. Because this bias is widely recognized and accepted in Western societies.

AC: How did you get into this job? And can you tell me more about Sita?

Lewis: When I joined the running program in 2004, I had a lot of experience [and] my coach was plus size. She’s the first curvier woman I’ve ever seen in fitness leadership or anywhere. She looks like me and trains me to be an athlete without talking about calorie consumption or food culture. I never exercised again after that situation. And that was the trigger that guided me… and I’ve coached, taught, spoken and written to everyone about fitness and wellness ever since. After developing the Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist program, I started the Size Inclusive Training Academy, which now trains trainers around the world.

ACE: How do you think fitness professionals can help their clients improve their self-esteem?

Lewis: I think it’s important to work with clients from a position of neutral weight. And I know change can be difficult for many trainers. But here’s the point. Adults have to fight with their bodies for a long time. They don’t like their bodies and deal with weight bias around body size almost every day. Some people have had painful experiences in the fitness and wellness area from participating in a diet program at a young age. My parents forced me to run after school to lose weight. Or be exposed to endless threats Obesity is one of the most under-appreciated problems in America. And this client feels it’s part of their normal life. Many people with a large body already feel that their body is not working and live with prejudices.

The most important thing for a fitness professional is not to add extra weight and negative experiences to what the client is already experiencing. Help clients feel that they own their bodies and that their bodies are capable. Train them and treat them like athletes. When focusing on weight loss and weight reduction in clients with a history of body distrust. Hate or chronic pain means that we literally make the situation more painful. Work with clients to build them up [and] don’t talk about being the right size or losing weight. We know that regular exercise can improve health indicators. People feel better and better when we empower our clients through exercise and taking care of their bodies. Their confidence is great.