Question re personal trainers

[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.

[KnottedYet]

It does kind of sound like he might be stepping a little bit beyond his expertise with the food thing. (I agree that if you aren't eating enough veges the first thing to try is eating more fresh veges, not powder.)

As far as pushing you is concerned: talk to him about the amount of "pushing" you work best with.

Some of my patients want me to push them very hard, and feel like they got cheated if I don't. Some of my patients are so fragile that they can barely tolerate any pushing, and all I do is cheerleading with them. I've made people cry. Sometimes I need feedback from my patients to know how much cheerleading/pushing they need.

And it's not always obvious who needs what. Big strong policeman with a knee replacement? Well, he needed me to be very gentle. Tiny older lady with lots of injuries from a bad car accident? Hey, she wanted me to WORK her HARD! Your trainer might just need some feedback from you about what works best for you.

[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.

[Derf]

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.

Good advice. Thanks. I think I didn't realize/appreciate how hard it would be to lose 10 lbs. Also, I checked his certifications and one is ACE, one is from some 24-Hour fitness program and I cannot recall the name of the other one and it's in my gym bag which I left in my car! Will edit when I get the info. Thanks again everyone.

[KSH]

Good advice. Thanks. I think I didn't realize/appreciate how hard it would be to lose 10 lbs. Also, I checked his certifications and one is ACE, one is from some 24-Hour fitness program and I cannot recall the name of the other one and it's in my gym bag which I left in my car! Will edit when I get the info. Thanks again everyone.

Well, with that said.... I have found that I can lose weight... by monitoring my calories and NOT taking in extra protein.

I had someone who recommended protein shakes, and I use to drink them. I have since realized that I can lose weight and be healthy, and consume food that I enjoy, vs. stuff that tastes like *yuck*.

Maybe you need to find food options that fit into your daily life easier? I know every meal plan they have made for me at 24-Hour has been unrealistic... and I just looked at the calorie count and made my own meal plans that fit their calorie count.

Also, keep in mind that the 24-Hour Fitness trainers... are told to PUSH supplements, etc. That is where money is made for them (24 Hour). Not that the supplements are bad, but you can lose weight without them.

[Derf]

Well, with that said.... I have found that I can lose weight... by monitoring my calories and NOT taking in extra protein.

I had someone who recommended protein shakes, and I use to drink them. I have since realized that I can lose weight and be healthy, and consume food that I enjoy, vs. stuff that tastes like *yuck*.

Maybe you need to find food options that fit into your daily life easier? I know every meal plan they have made for me at 24-Hour has been unrealistic... and I just looked at the calorie count and made my own meal plans that fit their calorie count.

Also, keep in mind that the 24-Hour Fitness trainers... are told to PUSH supplements, etc. That is where money is made for them (24 Hour). Not that the supplements are bad, but you can lose weight without them.

I should have mentioned that he's not longer at 24-Hour Fitness. The club I go to is called Spectrum. I think they are in SoCal and in Texas (San Antonio area). The funny thing is, I like the protein smoothies. He told me to add in blueberries, raspberries and 1/2 a banana. They actually taste good and are fairly filling, but I've started cutting back on how much protein powder I use. You are totally right about finding stuff that fits into my life. I work a lot, so it's hard to make good meals during the week if I haven't gone to the grocery and planned accordingly. I've noticed that a lot of my bad eating occurs when I'm starving and haven't planned out a healthy, practical meal.

I only weigh myself on Fridays, so I will see where I'm at tomorrow. I am wearing a pair of pants today that feel much looser than they ever have before, so I guess that's a good thing. Trainer also said that he can tell a difference in my legs and that they look thinner to him.

[han-grrl]

I always say when it comes to fitness and weight management, failing to plan is planning to fail. If you are committed to the weight loss goals you really need to pan out your food day. that means bagging lunches, containers of appropriate snacks etc.

Keep up the good work Derf!