Worried about personal trainer philosophy

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Replies

  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I agree that his advice sounds great. What kind of workout program does he have you on?
  • ThriceBlessed
    ThriceBlessed Posts: 499 Member
    Hello everyone,

    all he has me do is the 2 sessions per week I do with him. He has not told me I should do cardio or other workouts outside of what I do with him. This is concerning to me.

    This the way personal trainers usually work. A few sessions a week, you learn from them and get feedback about what to do in between sessions. Why would it concern you that he wants you to do cardio without him? Cardio can be as uncomplicated as a brisk walk, or a bike ride, you don't need to be paying someone to supervise you doing those things.

    Other options are swimming, jogging, jumping rope, taking a Zumba class, doing a workout DVD, hiking, etc.
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    This is the problem trainers have. Provide a reasonable diet, exercise routine, and objectives and people aren't satisfied. Give massive DOMs and a stupid plan nobody can stick to, and well, people drop out but they blame themselves.
  • alt1268
    alt1268 Posts: 159 Member
    First- do your own tdee calculation.
    second- get another opinion. Yes you should be restricting certain foods and adding water.
    third- slow and steady wins the race!!!!! Eat healthy, exercise and drink plenty of water!
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    First- do your own tdee calculation.
    second- get another opinion. Yes you should be restricting certain foods and adding water.
    third- slow and steady wins the race!!!!! Eat healthy, exercise and drink plenty of water!

    FALSE
    You do not need to restrict any foods unless you are allergic to them
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    As someone at a similar height/weight, I would agree that 2 workouts per week at 1600 calories is not going to do it for you. I have recently switched trainers (my old one moved to Wyoming), and I've come across a trainer now who doesn't believe in calories in/calories out, it seems, and only has us working out 3 x per week and says NO CARDIO between sessions, and he's expecting me to lose 20 lbs in 6 weeks. I think he's friggin out of his mind if he thinks that's going to work! Anyway, everyone's body is different. Eat lean meats and non starchy veggies, as someone else said, do your own math when it comes to your calorie intake goals, and start working up toward moving 5 days a week. Some male trainers just don't get that female bodies don't drop weight/gain muscle like male bodies. I would find a trainer whose philosophy you can get behind, because having a trainer who you TRUST is really key when it comes to your attitude going forward. I don't plan to stick with the guy I've got once this six week session is over. Honestly, even a one pound a week weight loss isn't realistic depending upon your daily activity level. If you've got an office job and sit all day, 2 workouts and 1600 calories isn't going to get you there.

    Um.....

    1600 calories is ~TDEE -10% for the OP.
  • thepinkleprechaun
    thepinkleprechaun Posts: 23
    Losing 40 lbs by May does not honestly sound like the best idea to me. I'm assuming you have some kind of event in May that you want to look good for...and I totally understand that! But what do you want to do more, work on losing the weight for good, or lose it in an unhealthy way but gain it right back?
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    The pace he has you training at isn't really a concern. Sounds like he is also trying to get some accountability and discipline instilled in you by only doing 2 sessions per week, but asking you to do the rest on your own.

    The part that concerns me is the diet (or lack of) guidance. I have been working with a GREAT trainer for a year now, and the VERY first thing he told me is that nutrition is 70% of the battle. If I didn't take care of that on my own, I wouldn't see any results from working with him. 2 pounds per week shouldn't be difficult, but it is going to happen because of your diet (not just calories, but the quality of those calories), not just because of your exercise regimen.

    I was frustrated with my trainer for the first few weeks because what I envisioned was lifting a bunch of weights (I'm a guy) straight off. As it turned out, we did 4 solid weeks of core and balance. Not what I was expecting. When I complained about it, he took me over the the Smith machine, set it up for standing military press and told me to go for it. The very first thing that happened when I went to lift the weight was my core completely engaged. Historically, I would have been all arched back and awful posture. The core / balance work was critical for doing anything else.

    I'd challenge him on the diet stuff, and anything else you feel isn't working out. It's his job to explain what's going on (education), hold you to the program (accountability), and keep you on track (encouragement). If you are just blindly lifting weights with no guidance or education, it doesn't sound like you have a very good trainer.

    Hope this helps,
    Tim

    2lbs a week IS difficult as a female at her weight. Quality of calories can help with satisfaction and adherence but have nothing to do with promoting magical extra weightloss.

    Why on earth would your trainer push core strength and then put you in a Smith machine that stabilizes everything for you?!? That makes absolutely no sense.

    ^^^ This is the sort of thing that I thought that they OP was going to complain about. Instead, it sounds like she was given great advice. Talk to him about cardio on other days since I doubt he meant that you weren't allowed to do anything at all. I would at least walk, but also not kill yourself and not do anything that you can't sustain. It can take a couple of weeks for water weight from a new routine to start going away. Take pictures and measurements along with the number on the scale. Why May?
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    First- do your own tdee calculation.
    second- get another opinion. Yes you should be restricting certain foods and adding water.
    third- slow and steady wins the race!!!!! Eat healthy, exercise and drink plenty of water!

    FALSE
    You do not need to restrict any foods unless you are allergic to them

    I agree with doing your own TDEE calc to check his suggestion though it sounds solid. Here is a link that can walk you through doing that: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13

    It is also completely unnecessary to restrict anything. Reduce, yes, but not restrict. I had wine nearly every day, pizza once a week or so, bacon, candy, ice cream etc in small amounts often. Remember that you need to sustain this without giving up and gaining everything back.
  • BamaBreezeNSaltAire
    BamaBreezeNSaltAire Posts: 966 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants?hl=guide+to+sexy+pants

    Take the time to read this. It comes with some great advice and the person who wrote it, well he's proof.

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