Overweight authors of weight loss books

[bdp]

Have you guys noticed that some authors of weight loss books or programs are themselves overweight? Here are two examples:

My wife and I recently watched an informercial for Michael Thurmond's 6 Week Body Makeover, a fat loss program. There was only one problem: Thurmond was overweight! He had at least 15 lbs of fat on his gut. My wife and I both noticed it immediately and started laughing. Needless to say, we weren't convinced to buy his program.

Andrew Weil, MD (the guy with the obnoxious beard) has a number of books about health, healing, and fat loss. Ironically, on the very cover of his "Healthy Aging" book he is obviously not aging very healthfully, because he's got at least 20-30 extra lbs of fat (they tried to hide it with the blur effect, apparently):



Here is an additional picture of Mr. "Optimum Health": http://www.physicalmedicine.com/imag...ndy%20Weil.jpg

I don't know about you, but I only follow the health advice of people who are actually healthy.

[Matthew Shea]

It makes you wonder, doesn't it. Stuff like this is exactly where the old expression "practice what you preach" came from.

[Addict]

It doesn't make a lot of sense. Surely these authors realize that losing a few pounds could help them sell more books. If their advice was so great and easily actionable, then it just doesn't add up why they aren't super healthy or thin.

However, some people do make the point that: weight!=health. It is very possible for you to be overweight and be much healthier than a skinnier person (through what you eat and your level of exercise). This Weil guy seems to be more about health than weight loss. Still, I think it's only true to an extent. Thirty extra pounds of fat is definitely pushing it. I have a diet blog and I am definitely a few pounds overweight, but I admit that I'm on my way and searching for the answers. I won't expect to actually have those answers until I see some real results.

That's a kick ass beard by the way.

[Matthew Shea]

It should also be pointed out that what you see in that picture might actually represent a significant weight loss. I couldn't say one way or the other WRT Dr. Weil, but maybe he was 400 lbs at one point. Who knows?

[JimOfferman]

Who said you need to be a top student -in any field- to be a good teacher in that field? Studying and teaching are different things. My high school music teacher was a lousy musician, but a great teacher... year after year, he educated pupils to play music better than he himself could. I guess the same goes for authors of books on weight loss.

And, if you ask me, that Weil guy looks quite healthy. So what if he doesn't have the optimal weight for his body length?

Jim.

[m0vingon]

Frankly, I have to respectfully disagree. I don't think an author has to present at 8% bodyfat to be an expert on nutrition. I don't even think that being at an extremely low weight necessarily connotes optimum health.

In the example of Weil, his books are not about weight loss, but about holistic nutrition if what I recall is correct. And yeah, that beard thing is bad, but if you look at any recent photos of him (no more beard) he does look vital, healthy, and age appropriate.

I digress, but I still don't think one should judge the content or validity of the information based on such limited information as the judgment of the author's photo.

[madgeylou]

Originally Posted by Matthew Shea

It should also be pointed out that what you see in that picture might actually represent a significant weight loss. I couldn't say one way or the other WRT Dr. Weil, but maybe he was 400 lbs at one point. Who knows?

if i'm recalling correctly, this is exactly the case -- weil was much larger back in the day.

also, as has already been stated, he's much more about health and balance than fat loss.

on the other hand, the giant self-aggrandizing bag of douche known as dr. phil mcgraw just needs to STFU on all topics, especially weight loss.

[aaronmp2003]

When I first learned how to be a personal trainer, I went to a weekend workshop that was taught by a guy whose nickname was "Dr. Strength" because he understood in minute detail how the body produced and utilized energy.

He understood business acumen and customer service incredibly well as it applied to the weight loss industry, he was a published author, was highly respected in the personal training and fitness industry, and at the time was developing a strength training program for astronauts.

He was at least 40 lbs overweight.

I agree that someone "practicing what they preach" is a good idea, but I would not say that just because they don't stick to their own program that their expertise should be automatically ruled out.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by madgeylou

on the other hand, the giant self-aggrandizing bag of douche known as dr. phil mcgraw just needs to STFU on all topics, especially weight loss.

While I didn't get that much benefit from Dr. Phil's health book (did lose 10 pound though), and I can't really stand to watch his TV Show, I have gotten some tremendous benefits and powerful realizations from his other books.

[Andrew Brunelle]

It would be nice if he looked something like Dr. Mercola or something, but just because he is not at the optimal level, he may still know quite a bit about health and practice it. I mean, the advice may be sound, even if the person giving the advice is not at his/her current best body weight at the time the photographer happens to take the cover picture. And who says being ultra-thin is healthy anyway? We need a little bit of bulk in case the heat goes out.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Matthew Shea

It should also be pointed out that what you see in that picture might actually represent a significant weight loss. I couldn't say one way or the other WRT Dr. Weil, but maybe he was 400 lbs at one point. Who knows?

Hi Matthew,

You said exactly what I was thinking. I once weighed 500+ pounds. I am today at a healthy weight. I have had a body fat test and my body fat is in the lower range of healthy.

If you see my full body picture I will look fatter than the one posted at the beginning of this thread. I look like I have a fat belly and look fat in other parts of my body. I look fat to many observers.

My body and my life history qualify me to comment from personal history and study on proper diet, weight loss, and weight maintenance. Who would you prefer to receive advice from, a naturally thin person with only academic knowledge of the subject or someone who has personal experience with and overcome the eating and weight issue?

[stephencp]

People in many ocupations seem like they need to take thier own advice - that's often why they got into the field!

Nutritionist and exercise people who are overweight....
Psychiatrists/psychologists/counselors who are screwed up themselves...
Priests struggling with moral issues...
Financial planners with money issues...
Cops with self esteem issues who now have the "power" of force...
it goes on and on....

People are often drawn to careers that THEY need. Of course, you must also look at where they came from and how far they've come.

Stephen

The Internet Largest Free Give Away Ever - ****************************

[Jim]

Bobby Knight is one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time, but I highly doubt that he could score a single point against his players.

He's fat, out of shape, but in the end, he's won three national championships and has a host of appearances in the NCAA tournament. Nobody would dispute his coaching prowess.

[MadHyeNa]

Unfortunately, a lot of people are not walking their talk. But he should be an exception, though.

stephencp also hit the nail on the head. If one is struggling in certain aspect of his/her life, then s/he will be drawn into techniques, studies and sciences to improve the qualify of his/her life. It perfectly makes sense. Ever wondered why the world's greatest PUAs were all once typical shy guys. That's how they endeavored into the field, studying, practiced, advanced and ultimately succeeded.

When you do a drastic change, the contrast is way higher because you know how it was before and how you feel now, after. Then you can write about it, explain, give seminars and teach people how to achieve what you've succeeded on.