So I had WLS in October 2011, lost about 80 lbs then stalled pretty much this past year. I've been stressed with work. I am a registered nurse. I've worked in the hospital and in the community. I've done bedside nursing and been a nurse manager. I like the manager job because I liked having the weekends and holidays off but the human resource part of the job was extremely stressful and I felt the job was stagnant. I went back to the hospital but I'm not keen on the 12 hour shifts but I do like that I don't have to work as many days because I work longer when I do work. I'm going to have to work more weekends and holidays than as a manager. There is a manager position coming up in August for the company I was at, I've applied but there's no guarantee that I will get it and I'm not even sure that I really want it. I've been making pros and cons lists, trying to decide what I want to do with my life etc and I'm flummoxed. Also several months ago I took a course to be a personal trainer. I'm doing the practical exam next week and I think pretty much everyone passes so no reason why I shouldn't. I'm thinking I would like to be in business for myself or even work at a gym or there are a few other ways and means of making a living being a personal trainer (thinking about doing a proposal to the hospital where I had the surgery for example, they could really use a personal trainer as part of their bariatric program), this is what I mean by a new career. The biggest problem is that I've got to get out of this stall and get into better shape, no one is going to want a personal trainer who looks like me! how on earth could I inspire anyone? Do you think I'm nuts? I know this is a decision I need to make for myself but at this point I'd appreciate ANY feedback anyone has to offer.

hmmmm. interesting stuff going on.

let's start with YOU first. you say you've been stalled - i'm sort of thinking you've been 'maintaining.' after all, if you haven't gained, that's what you're doing. Yeah, i know you want to be losing, but you're still doing OK. There are a lot of possible reasons for this - stress, eating habits, exercise habits, a combination, medication changes - you know the drill.

should all of this prevent you from being a trainer, especially in the bariatric program? i'd vote NO. You'd be one of the few people who actually understand what the patients are going through - including their emotional states and their fears of exercise.

And perhaps it would keep you motivated as well.

In the states, a lot of nurses are switching to clinical trial managers, to contract research organizations for running clinical trials, into continuing medical education/healthcare communications, and pharma companies. any of that appeal to you?

there are MANY options open to you - but you have to follow your heart and build on your many excellent skills....