Question re personal trainers

[han-grrl]

So i hate to sound ehmmm, well like this...but what fitness related education DOES he have?

He's getting a degree in geography and has some AA degree in something (but I don't think it's health/fitness related). Regarding these smoothies, he had me buy something called Super Food and I use that plus something else called Greens Plus.

[Derf]

So i hate to sound ehmmm, well like this...but what fitness related education DOES he have?

The various trainers at this particular club all have different certifications. Whether they are the A level (higher price) or B level depends on these certs. He is A level, but I cannot for the life of me remember his certifications. I will look tonight when I'm at gym and jot them down (they have an area where everyone's pics and certs are posted).

[han-grrl]

about the supplements, and why he chose those...

many gyms get kickbacks for selling certain product lines...

[Derf]

about the supplements, and why he chose those...

many gyms get kickbacks for selling certain product lines...

Oh, I didn't buy through him. I got at Whole Foods. When he first recommended, he said the Greens Plus was cause he doesn't think I eat enough vegetables and he said the Super Food was because I needed extra protein for strength training. I also add a little flax seed oil to the smoothies.
Thanks for all the great advice btw!

[Offthegrid]

You've perhaps seen my post about my personal trainer, and I LOVE working with him. He's the perfect person to train me, and I really look forward to meeting with him. So I'm sorry that you don't have the same relationship with your trainer.

If you dread meeting with him, then that almost defeats the purpose ... but keep in mind that he's trying to help you the best he knows how.

Although my trainer does not require me to keep a food diary, I do. But I only report to him my calorie intake for the day, exercise, net calories, and percentage fat, carbs and protein along with the averages for the week.

He doesn't ask me to do this; I just do it because I know it's what I need to lose weight and stay accountable. (He said he wishes all his clients would do that.) This week he gently told me I can't have a 900 net calorie day and expect to perform well. And in the past, I'd go for a 2-hour bike ride and then eat 3,000 calories so I wouldn't lost weight.

He recommends I keep percentages of 60% carbs, 20% fat, 20% protein when the season starts. For now he says I can keep the carbs a bit lower -- 50 to 55% -- to spur the weight loss.

Unless you were consistently low on protein, I don't see the need for the protein shakes. IMHO, they are just an expensive waste of money when you could get the same thing by eating real food like turkey, tuna, salmon, chicken, etc.

[han-grrl]

Derf -

The supplement industry is not regulated, meaning they can pretty much put whatever they like on the label.

If you aren't eating enough veggies, the solution should be, eat more veggies, not replace them with powder.

extra protein is not necessary for muscle building. in fact for every extra pound of muscle, you really only need like a table spoon extra of protein. yep.

Anyway, i hope you are able to discuss matters with your trainer without him getting offended in any way.

Cheers

hannah

[Dogmama]

I've been reading articles that say people who have a higher protein diet drop more weight, all things being equal. I'm assuming they adjust for the water weight drop when carbs are cut back.

I do use a protein powder in the morning, but only because I cannot gag down a chicken breast on my way to work. Other than that, I do believe that whole foods are much better than supps for nutrition.

[KSH]

I ended up switching to a guy who I'd observed train and who seemed really good. He is $20 more a session, but I decided to try it. I've been working with him for about 7 weeks and I find our workouts to be much more intense and productive. But, here's my issue with him: He has me write down everything I eat and drink. I've been doing this, but he is really on my case about my food choices. I try to be good during the week and I am trying to cut out white bread, pasta (except for whole wheat, etc), but am starting to get annoyed because he is SO hardcore. He has me drinking protein smoothies and basically would eliminate any type of sweets or candy. On Halloween I had one tiny box of Nerds and he circled it in my food journal with his red pen. I've had a lot of special occasions the last few weeks, birthdays, etc. and on Monday he asked me in an exasperated tone if my "special occasions" were almost over. Today I had a tuna melt, on sourdough (forgot to ask for wheat), sure I'm sure there will be h*ll to pay when I see him tonight. I guess my question is does this seem extreme or is this what is required to get in shape?

Well, if you really want to achieve your goals... he is giving you a plan that will get you there.

Weight loss requires will power, dedication, and sometimes an annoying angel in your ear telling you what NOT to eat.

I'm am not trying to sound harsh... so forgive me if I am.

I just know for me... and you are my size... for someone as small as us already... it takes SERIOUS DEDICATION and WORK to lose weight. We can't just fluff through it and eat bad food and not exercise and still lose weight. If someone has 50-70 pounds to lose (or more!), they can eat a little less and lose weight. That won't work for us.

Now, you might also want to tell the trainer what works for you... meaning... him picking over every little thing you eat... is driving you NUTS!

But you also need to be prepared for him to possibly drop you as a client. Some trainers just won't tolerate working with clients who aren't willing to do the work they want them to.

I am sure you two can find a balance between the two though.

Keep in mind, he's just doing what he knows to do... to help you achieve your goals.