Question re personal trainers

[velogirl]

You could always lie to him in your food journal!!!

Seriously, you should address this with him. He probably thinks he's doing what you've hired him to do. Open and honest communication is key to developing a successful relationship with a trainer or coach. You need to be able to tell him that although weight loss is one of your goals, you feel he's being too stringent with you and the way he approaches nutrition makes you feel guilty and uncomfortable.

Just curious, but have you lost weight in the seven weeks you've been working with him?

[Derf]

You could always lie to him in your food journal!!!

Seriously, you should address this with him. He probably thinks he's doing what you've hired him to do. Open and honest communication is key to developing a successful relationship with a trainer or coach. You need to be able to tell him that although weight loss is one of your goals, you feel he's being too stringent with you and the way he approaches nutrition makes you feel guilty and uncomfortable.

Just curious, but have you lost weight in the seven weeks you've been working with him?

Thanks. I'm just avoiding the uncomfortable conversation. He has already told me that he lost a client because he was too strict and she told the club management that he was "scolding" her. I've lost 3.3 lbs. I'm also curious about these protein smoothies as my brother in law's girlfriend is a trainer in Northern Calif. and thinks it's too much protein.

[velogirl]

If you can't have an uncomfortable conversation with him, he's probably not the right trainer for you.

Not all trainers are qualified to give nutrition advice to their clients. Is he also an RD? Does he have a nutrition background? Deos he work primarily with weight lifters and body builders (notorious protein imbibers)? Does he work with other endurance athletes like you?

Without knowing you, I'm hesitant to give specific advice. However, not knowing your body composition, your height and weight seem to be in a very healthy range.

[Derf]

If you can't have an uncomfortable conversation with him, he's probably not the right trainer for you.

Not all trainers are qualified to give nutrition advice to their clients. Is he also an RD? Does he have a nutrition background? Deos he work primarily with weight lifters and body builders (notorious protein imbibers)? Does he work with other endurance athletes like you?

Without knowing you, I'm hesitant to give specific advice. However, not knowing your body composition, your height and weight seem to be in a very healthy range.

I've seen him work out with a wide range of people, including women my age and older men. This gym doesn't have very many hardcore body builders. I don't think he has a nutrition background (I will check that out) other than reading books, etc.

[LBTC]

I agree with Velogirl, that you are in a healthy range, and that talking to your trainer is the right approach.

Rather than confront him, try the compliment-first approach:

Maybe go through a little checklist of the things you really like about the training you're doing with him, and then work your way to the dislikes.

Make sure you talk about all of your goals, and emphasize that weight loss is only one of acheiving them.

It's important to look at goals and objectives the right way; goals are the way you want yourself to be, objectives are the methods of getting there, and the tasks are the things you do to accomplish the objectives.

My goals are to feel great, be fit, strong, fast and healthy, and to look great.

My objectives are to lose 10 pounds, drop 10 minutes off a regular road ride, increase my bench press weight by 10% and be able to do a plank for 90 seconds.

My tasks to get there are yoga every morning, walking to work 90% of the time, weight training 3 times per week, 2 rides per week, and eating healthy 80% of the time, and eating what I like (in small enough portions) 20% of the time.

Okay, well, if I did stick to my plan it would look something like this, and I'm really looking forward to getting over a health issue so I can.

My point is that weight and food intake are only part of the equation, and that the numbers are not really as important as how you feel!

You *can* have this conversation with your trainer and you'll be surprised how fruitfull it is!

Be happy in yourself and the world will be as amazed at your self-confidence as you are!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Derf]

Great advice from both of you! Many thanks.