Personal trainer put me on a low carb diet?

Jay9201
Jay9201 Posts: 119 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hi, just a quick background I'm 5'5 female 28 years old. I currently weigh around 175lbs. I got a personal trainer to really help me with nutrition and push me with my exercises. I had a really bad reaction to doing the keto diet. I lost 25lbs in 6 weeks and then when I became fat adapted I was constantly nauseous,had really bad GI issues , hormone problems, I lost my period and I had several nutritional deficiencies.
It has taken me all of 2019 to get my gut and health back to a somewhat normal state.

I outlined all of this to my personal trainer, however she wants me to go on a low carb, moderate fat and high protein diet. Because of how much issues I've had I've been medically advised go avoid low carb diets. My personal trainer doesn't understand I paid so much money. I get low carb diets lose weight, but I want to eat a deficit. My current deficit is 1400 cals all tracked with a food scale.

I want to lose 45lbs by end of 2020 if that is even possible.

Is there a possible way to do this without going on low carb diets and just eat nutritious food and at a deficit? I really can't go through that much health issues again.

Thanks for all your tips.
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Replies

  • Josh_Friedman
    Josh_Friedman Posts: 112 Member
    The first question I'd ask is if your trainer is a nutritionist? I'm not either but, I know that low carb/high protein diets were designed for heart patients who were too obese for surgery. Your body needs carbs to burn fat. Try eating sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, brown rice.

    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/low-carb-diet/art-20045831
  • Jay9201
    Jay9201 Posts: 119 Member
    Lietchi wrote: »
    Jay9201 wrote: »
    Is there a possible way to do this without going on low carb diets and just eat nutritious food and at a deficit? I really can't go through that much health issues again.

    Yes, of course. You can eat whatever you like, as long as you eat less calories than you burn.
    Of course, healthwise you would be better off eating (mostly) healthy, and I would recommend getting enough protein, especially if you are going to weight train.
    But there is no need to go low carb to lose weight!

    I would ask a refund for that personal trainer, if she can't even take into account medical advice, she has no business being a personal trainer.

    What do you mean when you say you're deficit is 1400? That sounds extreme, I hope you mean you are consuming 1400 calories a day? Which still seems a bit low to me, but certainly much more reasonable than a deficit of 1400.

    Yes I eat 1400 calories a day. A bit low but it makes sure I'm in a deficit.
  • Jay9201
    Jay9201 Posts: 119 Member
    Josh_Friedman wrote: »
    The first question I'd ask is if your trainer is a nutritionist? I'm not either but, I know that low carb/high protein diets were designed for heart patients who were too obese for surgery. Your body needs carbs to burn fat. Try eating sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, brown rice.

    https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/low-carb-diet/art-20045831

    She isn't a nutritionist no, thank you I will try those carbs.
  • Jay9201
    Jay9201 Posts: 119 Member
    snickerscharlie wrote: »
    1) Get a different trainer. Yours seems to be broken.
    2) Get your doctor to refer you to a Registered Dietician (not a Nutritionist!) for help with healthy weight loss that won't have you relapsing.

    😂 my trainer is broken. What is the difference between nutritionist and dietitian?
  • Jay9201
    Jay9201 Posts: 119 Member
    debrakgoogins wrote: »
    A personal trainer and a nutritionist are completely different things. Your trainer should not be dispensing nutritional advice unless they are qualified to do so, as in a registered or certified nutritionist. Eat what you can, what you like and track your calories. As long as you are eating in a calorie deficit, you should be able to consistently lose the weight.

    Thank you!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    cathipa wrote: »
    Unless your trainer is also an RD or licensed nutritionist they cannot legally give specific nutritional recommendations. While low carb diets do cause weight loss (initially rapid due to loss of water) the loss has been shown be no different at 2 years when compared to a low calorie diet. There are other factors as well, but calories are typically king when it comes to weight management.

    As an aside, this is actually state by state. In my state, anyone can give specific nutritional recommendations without any kind of credentials whatsoever.
  • gremloBBPT
    gremloBBPT Posts: 51 Member
    debtay123 wrote: »
    I would look into getting a new different personal trainer- yours seems to have a "one size fits all" approach to training- You can eat at a deficit- and always follow your trusted doctor advice over a PT- the doctor has the "whole' picture of your health at stake.

    +1

    Your trainer is a buffoon.
  • gremloBBPT
    gremloBBPT Posts: 51 Member
    edited January 2020
    Btw, I'm sorry to hear what you went through in 2019! I'm glad you're starting to feel better. The fact that your trainer knows the gist of what happened and is still acting like you must do low carb is why I consider her a buffoon. Do what's right for you. :)
  • Luke_rabbit
    Luke_rabbit Posts: 1,031 Member
    Plenty of people here on MFP can attest to losing weight on 50% or so carbs, including me.

    Don't overdo a deficit especially while doing strength training and exercise. 1400 is pretty low (although reasonable for some people). You seem to want to lose about 1 pound a week, so just monitor your loss and how you feel and adjust as needed. You might need to eat more.
  • Jay9201
    Jay9201 Posts: 119 Member
    corinasue1143 wrote: »
    Don’t do low carb. If previous experience tells you don’t do low carb, don’t do low carb. If your Dr. tells you don’t do low carb, don’t do low carb.
    45 pounds in 52 weeks sounds doable. Give it a try.
    Good luck!

    Thank you
  • Jay9201
    Jay9201 Posts: 119 Member
    gremloBBPT wrote: »
    Btw, I'm sorry to hear what you went through in 2019! I'm glad you're starting to feel better. The fact that your trainer knows the gist of what happened and is still acting like you must do low carb is why I consider her a buffoon. Do what's right for you. :)

    I know, and the very same trainer has become aggressive and still doesnt understand what went wrong. I want to become healthy and stronger in the right way given my issues. Only downside is I can't get a refund.
  • Jay9201
    Jay9201 Posts: 119 Member
    bold_rabbit wrote: »
    Plenty of people here on MFP can attest to losing weight on 50% or so carbs, including me.

    Don't overdo a deficit especially while doing strength training and exercise. 1400 is pretty low (although reasonable for some people). You seem to want to lose about 1 pound a week, so just monitor your loss and how you feel and adjust as needed. You might need to eat more.

    Thank you I will do.
  • Diatonic12
    Diatonic12 Posts: 32,344 Member
    Anyone can become a life coach or a weight loss coach just by making up some business cards or paying someone else a fee so you can become part of a multi-level marketing dieting program. Find yourself a registered dietitian, cut right to the chase and that way you can eliminate a lot of quacks.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,976 Member
    Jay9201 wrote: »
    Hi, just a quick background I'm 5'5 female 28 years old. I currently weigh around 175lbs. I got a personal trainer to really help me with nutrition and push me with my exercises. I had a really bad reaction to doing the keto diet. I lost 25lbs in 6 weeks and then when I became fat adapted I was constantly nauseous,had really bad GI issues , hormone problems, I lost my period and I had several nutritional deficiencies.
    It has taken me all of 2019 to get my gut and health back to a somewhat normal state.

    I outlined all of this to my personal trainer, however she wants me to go on a low carb, moderate fat and high protein diet. Because of how much issues I've had I've been medically advised go avoid low carb diets. My personal trainer doesn't understand I paid so much money. I get low carb diets lose weight, but I want to eat a deficit. My current deficit is 1400 cals all tracked with a food scale.

    I want to lose 45lbs by end of 2020 if that is even possible.

    Is there a possible way to do this without going on low carb diets and just eat nutritious food and at a deficit? I really can't go through that much health issues again.

    Thanks for all your tips.
    YOUR TRAINER shouldn't be giving out dieting advice unless they are a registered DIETCIAN. Any PT can get a "nutrition certification" online in less than a day. Also IF they aren't listening to your concerns, you need to find a different trainer.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,976 Member
    Jay9201 wrote: »
    snickerscharlie wrote: »
    1) Get a different trainer. Yours seems to be broken.
    2) Get your doctor to refer you to a Registered Dietician (not a Nutritionist!) for help with healthy weight loss that won't have you relapsing.

    😂 my trainer is broken. What is the difference between nutritionist and dietitian?
    A "nutritionist" doesn't have to go to school to get a cert. A dietician goes to 4 years of schooling.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,002 Member
    Fat loss = energy in < energy out, that's it.
    As a side, personal trainers should not be putting clients on any diets as they are not qualified to do so.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    Jay9201 wrote: »
    gremloBBPT wrote: »
    Btw, I'm sorry to hear what you went through in 2019! I'm glad you're starting to feel better. The fact that your trainer knows the gist of what happened and is still acting like you must do low carb is why I consider her a buffoon. Do what's right for you. :)

    I know, and the very same trainer has become aggressive and still doesnt understand what went wrong. I want to become healthy and stronger in the right way given my issues. Only downside is I can't get a refund.

    I took the ACE personal trainer certification class and test for my own enrichment. ACE specifically states giving specific nutrition advice is an ethics viloaton and can result in loss of certification. I'm guessing most reputable certification organizations have the same policy.

    If the trainer won't give you a refund tell them you will be contacting their certifying organization.

    This ^

    Lots of times a no refund policy isn't applicable to certain types of situations that the company isn't going to disclose.

    For example, food sold by Amazon says "Not eligible for return." That doesn't mean you can't get a refund. It just means you don't have to return it in order to get the refund, and have to contact Customer Service. I've received refunds several times when the product I received wasn't as described on the site or was unusable for other reasons.

    @Jay9201 did you pay the trainer directly or was it through a gym? There are several ways to get a refund, including doing a charge back through your credit card company.

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