does this look like a good daily menu?

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Replies

  • grandmothercharlie
    grandmothercharlie Posts: 1,356 Member
    It is like someone said, let's incorporate every recent news report on how to lose weight and create a diet that incorporates it: frequent meals. Yogurt. Peanut butter. Nuts. High protein. Etc. Those things are good, but the way you eat now should be enjoyable for the rest of your life. Sure you will add some calories during maintenance, but you want to teach yourself how to eat everyday. Plenty of people here are losing weight by eating the food they enjoy in smaller or less frequent quantities, find forms of exercise that are also enjoyable and can be sustained for the long haul. We go to restaurants, we take part in family celebrations, and we plan daily what will satisfy us and still help us lose weight. Most of us go to a protein bar or drink when we are in a hurry or just feel we need to boost our levels a little, but we don't count them as a major component for meals. This won't kill you, but I bet you won't be happy.
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    Well, it sounds healthy...but boring. There is no reason that healthy food should be uninteresting. Most trainers don't know much about nutrition....and this trainer seems to be into punishing you instead of helping you.
  • ajsdream
    ajsdream Posts: 223 Member
    Here's what I notice: You have a lot of questions and concerns, mostly about how and why this trainer has created this meal plan. You also make a point of mentioning that she is unlicensed and not an expert in nutrition. You further mention that she is really strict and you are afraid she will kill you. (Yes, an exaggeration, but still.) These are all red flags to me and I am guessing there is a bit of money involved. I believe I understood you to say that she boast of a total group success rather than the average per person rate of success. This is important and is still only an average.

    You said that you had success before by creating your own meal plans that had much more variety and interest. You also said that her workouts seem fantastic. Maybe there is a program by which you can only do her workouts. Or find a different trainer entirely.

    good points. I do have a lot of questions (I asked her all the same ones yesterday too but they are serious about this eating plan! ) but the price is GREAT for 8 weeks of intense training (only comes down to like 16 dollars a session) and her workouts are great. I cannot get this discount if I do not do it with the "group". I had no idea the eating plan would be like this until I went to the group session. Was a little shocked about it.

    Then give her a fake journal based on the foods she's allowing, and use mfp as a real journal to eat what you like within your macros. I seriously doubt a trainer will kick you out of the group for not following her eating plan to a tee if you are paying for it. She's not making money from you if you aren't there.
  • ruffnstuff
    ruffnstuff Posts: 400 Member
    Here's what I notice: You have a lot of questions and concerns, mostly about how and why this trainer has created this meal plan. You also make a point of mentioning that she is unlicensed and not an expert in nutrition. You further mention that she is really strict and you are afraid she will kill you. (Yes, an exaggeration, but still.) These are all red flags to me and I am guessing there is a bit of money involved. I believe I understood you to say that she boast of a total group success rather than the average per person rate of success. This is important and is still only an average.

    You said that you had success before by creating your own meal plans that had much more variety and interest. You also said that her workouts seem fantastic. Maybe there is a program by which you can only do her workouts. Or find a different trainer entirely.

    good points. I do have a lot of questions (I asked her all the same ones yesterday too but they are serious about this eating plan! ) but the price is GREAT for 8 weeks of intense training (only comes down to like 16 dollars a session) and her workouts are great. I cannot get this discount if I do not do it with the "group". I had no idea the eating plan would be like this until I went to the group session. Was a little shocked about it.

    You're already 75% there, so let me go ahead and help you over the hump. Use your common sense. Your questions are good ones, and you know yourself better than these "trainers". Eat what you want within the cal range and maybe the approximate macro breakdown and use this for the training that excites you. Who is this woman to police your eating or try to scare you into following this horribly bland eating plan? I would be ready to punch her by about the end of week 1!

    Just do your thing and use it for the workouts.
  • Honestly I think this site is living proof that you can eat pretty much what you want within your calories (and macros if you choose) , the diet plan might work but it's not something you would enjoy and you should lose weight in a manner that is sustainable for you :) so yeah if I were you I would just track your calories and try to include some exercise you like most days and that's pretty much it, no need to over complicate things in my opinion.
  • larovers
    larovers Posts: 100
    yes , I asked her if I could have a bit of lasagna (like a tiny piece) and my husband's birthday party this weekend as he makes AMAZING lasagna and everyone demands it when we have a party in our home. She told me NO and to bring my own food to the party (which is at my own house so it made me laugh). I was not even planning on having cake. Just a small slice of lasagna and some salad. Lol.
  • LisaGore1
    LisaGore1 Posts: 41
    think meal #1,2 and 5 are great I feel #3 you need trade in the rice cakes with maybe an apple or something like a veggie or a fruit. then I would do away with #6 and #4 needs to be either almond or yogurt with some kind of fruit or veggie..i think you are over thinking the whole process. and need to just add more fruits and veggies to your diet. Getting your carbs and sugar from real foods will be more productive in your weight loss of fat or inches
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    For 8 weeks? No thanks! I'd be bored out of my mind and go on a binge fest if I even made it that long.

    It's completely unnecessary.
  • larovers
    larovers Posts: 100
    Thanks everyone. I do think I will try to follow her eating program but spice it up a bit within good macros. I am going to add seasonings and flavor to it basically. I like the foods she chose but just not the bland part of it if that makes sense . I do need a bit more carbs as I kind of go nuts on a low carb diet. I like to eat around 40% carbs. 30% protein, and 30% fat is when I feel awesome.
    I love her workouts and will stick with that though. She is a great trainer! I will just give her a journal and not put in there the extra seasonings, butter, olive oil, or spices I added to make things taste better. That is the only way I can live with this I think.

    you guys have been so helpful! this site rocks with support!

    I am also still very curious about what you guys think of the supplements she recommended. Are they good? Do they work?
  • GodMomKim
    GodMomKim Posts: 3,703 Member
    After reading op's posts/responses I think what I am reading is you really want the exercise plan but not the eating plan.. so this is the unethical answer... Eat at the calories and close to the macro the trainer recommends - and lie to the trainer. She will not be with you for meals - so memorize her meals so you can answer questions, but .... All of your concerns are correct and I would not make it a day on those meals they are too boring. And telling you, you can not have salad and a tiny piece of lasagna is just power tripping!
  • larovers
    larovers Posts: 100
    thanks! Anybody have opinions about the supplements? anybody? I do not want to buy a bunch of supplements if they are costly and do not work.
  • ajsdream
    ajsdream Posts: 223 Member
    thanks! Anybody have opinions about the supplements? anybody? I do not want to buy a bunch of supplements if they are costly and do not work.

    This is just an opinion based upon years and years of buying supplements. They are usually a waste of money. But again, I don't know enough about what they want you to take. A physician once told me that supplements are a waste, because most are not manufactured to be absorbed by the body - I do not know whether that statement is true or not.
  • larovers
    larovers Posts: 100
    They want me to take Green tea extract, l-carnitine, and CLA, casein powder
  • ruffnstuff
    ruffnstuff Posts: 400 Member
    I guess my biggest question would be WHY do they want you to take these supplements? Many people use them for different reasons, some with success for their goals, some without. If they are asking you to buy these simply because they or the gym sells them, RED FLAG! To my knowledge (which is very, very limited about this subject), no supplement will help with weight or inches lost. That happens with mostly diet (eating routine, not "diet" diet) and some exercise. Again, you have thousands of people on this site that prove it every day.
  • corgarian
    corgarian Posts: 366 Member
    ok, yes that is sooo boring. BUT the trainer just gave you the basics. It's your job to research and expand. SPICES are life savers, they dont add extra calories and can make the most boring chicken breast a fiesta!
    Too many people take what a trainer or someone says and see it as law or something. No, they cant hold your hand and baby you, they can just give you the tools to start with and its your job to learn more and make it interesting.
    I dont see anything wrong with that meal plan as a starting point.
    *minus the shake, i only take those for when I worout.*
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    They want me to take Green tea extract, l-carnitine, and CLA, casein powder

    I would try to stick with the plan. You're never going to know if it works or not if you don't give it a chance. I see so many personal trainers frustrated that the clients didn't get the results because they didn't follow in on the eating part.

    Green tea is great, it does help with weight loss.

    L-Carnitine is going to boost your workouts, burn more calories, build more muscle and enhance attitude in the gym.

    Krill oil is great, lubricates joints and adds good Omega 3's fat to your diet.

    The powder is a food item, it's loaded with a high quality protein and other good nutrients.

    I think she's wanting you to have the casein and carnitine because she's about to put you through a serious work-out and that stuff can really aid in recovery. A lot of building muscle is recovery. If you don't recover fully between workouts, you'll not build the muscle. If you're so sore you can't live, you'll get discouraged and have crappy workouts.

    I can barely afford sneakers/workout clothes/cheap protein. Definitely not a personal trainer at the cost you described. It's frustrating for me to see you have excellent advice, information, resources etc and taking advice of random MFP'ers to not follow the plan. It's like it's laid out in your lap when I've literally spent years figuring this stuff out from friends, the internet, the workers in health food stores, blogs etc etc whatever's free. But that's my issue not yours!

    It's solid. Your trainers plan will work if you follow it. Your trainer knows what she/he is talking about it. It's worked for others. Why not give it a try?

    As you go through with the class and make peers of the others and see the trainer regularly the reasons for the plan and reasons for her advice will become more clear.

    :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    They want me to take Green tea extract, l-carnitine, and CLA, casein powder

    I would try to stick with the plan. You're never going to know if it works or not if you don't give it a chance. I see so many personal trainers frustrated that the clients didn't get the results because they didn't follow in on the eating part.

    Green tea is great, it does help with weight loss.

    L-Carnitine is going to boost your workouts, burn more calories, build more muscle and enhance attitude in the gym.

    Krill oil is great, lubricates joints and adds good Omega 3's fat to your diet.

    The powder is a food item, it's loaded with a high quality protein and other good nutrients.

    I think she's wanting you to have the casein and carnitine because she's about to put you through a serious work-out and that stuff can really aid in recovery. A lot of building muscle is recovery. If you don't recover fully between workouts, you'll not build the muscle. If you're so sore you can't live, you'll get discouraged and have crappy workouts.

    I can barely afford sneakers/workout clothes/cheap protein. Definitely not a personal trainer at the cost you described. It's frustrating for me to see you have excellent advice, information, resources etc and taking advice of random MFP'ers to not follow the plan. It's like it's laid out in your lap when I've literally spent years figuring this stuff out from friends, the internet, the workers in health food stores, blogs etc etc whatever's free. But that's my issue not yours!

    It's solid. Your trainers plan will work if you follow it. Your trainer knows what she/he is talking about it. It's worked for others. Why not give it a try?

    As you go through with the class and make peers of the others and see the trainer regularly the reasons for the plan and reasons for her advice will become more clear.

    :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

    Wat? L carnitine is pretty much useless and do you really think she's going to be building a bunch of muscle while eating at a deficit?
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    And I don't mean to sound huffy with you. A lot of my frustration is from other MFP'ers advising you not to follow it.

    Good luck on your success which ever decision/s you make.

    :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    They want me to take Green tea extract, l-carnitine, and CLA, casein powder

    I would try to stick with the plan. You're never going to know if it works or not if you don't give it a chance. I see so many personal trainers frustrated that the clients didn't get the results because they didn't follow in on the eating part.

    Green tea is great, it does help with weight loss.

    L-Carnitine is going to boost your workouts, burn more calories, build more muscle and enhance attitude in the gym.

    Krill oil is great, lubricates joints and adds good Omega 3's fat to your diet.

    The powder is a food item, it's loaded with a high quality protein and other good nutrients.

    I think she's wanting you to have the casein and carnitine because she's about to put you through a serious work-out and that stuff can really aid in recovery. A lot of building muscle is recovery. If you don't recover fully between workouts, you'll not build the muscle. If you're so sore you can't live, you'll get discouraged and have crappy workouts.

    I can barely afford sneakers/workout clothes/cheap protein. Definitely not a personal trainer at the cost you described. It's frustrating for me to see you have excellent advice, information, resources etc and taking advice of random MFP'ers to not follow the plan. It's like it's laid out in your lap when I've literally spent years figuring this stuff out from friends, the internet, the workers in health food stores, blogs etc etc whatever's free. But that's my issue not yours!

    It's solid. Your trainers plan will work if you follow it. Your trainer knows what she/he is talking about it. It's worked for others. Why not give it a try?

    As you go through with the class and make peers of the others and see the trainer regularly the reasons for the plan and reasons for her advice will become more clear.

    :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

    Wat? L carnitine is pretty much useless and do you really think she's going to be building a bunch of muscle while eating at a deficit?

    Well, I'm not as successful as you clearly are (nice abs!) and I was also thinking some crap-o grocery store protein and normal fish oil would do the trick as well, but I don't think any of it will hurt at all, especially cost is not an issue.

    :wink:
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    I get the feeling the trainer is going for a no-holds-barred pull-out-all-the stops mega-super insane-o transformation right before swim-suit season, and I think if she follows the plan she'll have eye-popping jaw-dropping "OMG that happened in 8 weeks?!?!" results she's going for.
  • wsand70
    wsand70 Posts: 1
    I'm gonna side with Asa for the most part on this. However I think there is a clash with goals. You probably want a long term goal and got sold a short one. This short term goal is ideal for the up-coming bride or the athlete getting ready for the big day.

    Ultimately you will have life long success when you train yourself necessary boundaries with drive. Similar to winning the lottery, you won't have the knowledge needed to deal with what got dropped in your lap. When it's all gone, you will go back to what you know. So seek the proper training that gets you to your long term goals.
  • A_Warrior_Princess
    A_Warrior_Princess Posts: 344 Member
    I went through a similar program at my current gym. The nutrition portion was very plain jane and boring, but when I questioned her about it she told me this is just to get me through the next 8 weeks to help lose the fat and build muscle, it is not meant to be a long-term plan.
    Is it tough to stick to, YES, but only you can decide if if it something you want to do for the next 8 weeks. I would suggest that if you try it and begin having problems - (I normally eat higher carbs and so I really struggled the first week with low energy) to talk to them for some minor adjustments so you can stick with it (if that is what you choose to do) Good Luck to you
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    I went through a similar program at my current gym. The nutrition portion was very plain jane and boring, but when I questioned her about it she told me this is just to get me through the next 8 weeks to help lose the fat and build muscle, it is not meant to be a long-term plan.
    Is it tough to stick to, YES, but only you can decide if if it something you want to do for the next 8 weeks. I would suggest that if you try it and begin having problems - (I normally eat higher carbs and so I really struggled the first week with low energy) to talk to them for some minor adjustments so you can stick with it (if that is what you choose to do) Good Luck to you

    Lose fat and build muscle you say?
  • larovers
    larovers Posts: 100
    yes I have decided to stick with their plan. I might just spice up the meals a bit with spices that is all. I will see what happens and If I cannot deal with the food part then I will ask for modifications.

    Also, they want me to take green tea extract but I am sensitive to caffeine but she told me that no green tea extract she had ever seen had caffeine in it so I can confused...doesn't it naturally have caffeine in it?