I work at a residential treatment facility for troubled teens as a youth associate while I'm in school. We have to learn restraint techniques in case a client is posing danger to themselves or other residents. Yesterday in training, I attempted what seemed like would be the most natural hold for me, a "side body hug." I'm just used to being larger and that seemed like what would be effective. When I was unsuccessful, my instructor told me it was because I was too small to do that restraint effectively, and gave me another suggestion. I was just stunned. Never in my life have I been too small for anything--it's always been the other way around! This is one of those moments that makes it all worth it.

Awesome! Must be a good feeling!

Certainly is!

Don't have that strong base any more - they can take YOU down! Awesome (I think!)

Thanks Kim! Berry, yeah, luckily my coworkers come in all shapes and sizes, so together we'll be able to manage And this just reinforces why I need to get more serious about strength training, so I can hold them no matter what!

This is seriously a great NSV!

Wow, that must be wonderful to hear! You deserve it!!

Thanks guys! I'm one of those who always thought I had a large frame, but am discovering I'm more on the small-medium side. The more I firm up, wrist & elbow measurements, etc., the more I'm seeing it. It's still crazy to me

WAHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! So proud of you, that must have felt awesome!

For sure! Thanks

Yay - love it!!! Bet you were grinning all day!

Still am

Congrats! I used to be in a similar line of work at a residential school for behaviorially challenged kids/teens, and I worked on the special-needs unit. I used to call them my "kid tackling" days.

The physical requirements can be kind of overwhelming, and I remember for a long time, my mother was grateful I was overweight with a larger frame because it meant (in her mind) I was less-likely to be a target for aggression, and in physical management, someone would have a more difficult time bucking me. Boy was she wrong.

It definitely takes a lot of strength, both physically and mentally to work in that type of position. I give you huge kudos. Congrats on your progress!

On a sidenote, I no longer demonstrate for anyone not in the field the physical management techniques I used to have to employ. A few years back I was showing a friend a hair-pull release technique. He was too big of a guy, and while I wasn't trying to control him, he stepped back into me, popped my knee and we both tumbled. He rolled across my knee and I ended up in the ER with emergency surgery to remove a bloodclot the size of a small fist from the side of my knee.

ohhh major fantasy of mine!! awesome!!!!