A fitness instructor was left 'shocked' after being deemed 'too fat' to be a good coach.
Zara Groves was told by a friend that a woman, who has not been named, decided not to sign up with her after seeing a photo of her, North Wales Live reports.
The 51-year-old said this 'harsh' comment left her feeling 'upset', but said that people have an 'unrealistic view' of how women and fitness trainers should look.
Zara, from Llandudno in North Wales, who runs Zara Groves Fitness, was surprised that her expertise was so easily dismissed, as she has worked in fitness all over the world including Asia, Europe and Australia for over 20 years.
She said: "My friend who told me about what the woman said was mortified when she realised how upset I was.
"Apparently the woman knew all about me and was going to sign up to one of my online courses, but then saw a photo of me on social media and instantly dismissed me as she thought me too fat, and so as a result I couldn't possibly be a good trainer."
The next day Zara dusted herself down and decided to post about what happened to her on Facebook.
Not only was that a brave move but a savvy one too as she's had more people signing up for her courses.
She's also had female fitness trainers contacting her saying similar things have happened to them.
"In my Facebook post I say clearly I know I'm not fat, I'm a size 12 which isn't fat at all," said Zara.
"I may have put weight on since my 20s but the thing is I'm 51 now and I'm also peri-menopausal.
She continued: "I'm just really shocked about how judgemental people can be and also how harsh.
"I'm very body confident, I really am but I know some younger fitness trainers who would have felt crucified by someone not going to them because they were deemed fat.
"I've had some of them contact me saying similar things have happened to them and how horribly upsetting it has made them feel.
"I think people have a very unrealistic vision of how women and fitness trainers should look, some seem to think we should all be like waifs."
Zara added: "Just because I'm not a stick doesn't mean I'm not a good trainer, I know I am as I'm still in the business 20 years on.
"And the thing is with me I keep it very real and natural. I have not had Botox, fillers, fake boobs or a bum lift, other instructors do that even if they are only in their 20s it's important to me to try and keep things realistic."
