Personal Trainers

fitnewlife

Is anyone working out with a personal trainer?

I decided to get a personal trainer for 4 weeks to get me focused on my yearend goal.

Today I did my body analysis with my personal trainer. His scale said I weigh 140 with 31% body fat. That's either overweight or obese. He wants to get me down to 127lbs.

So this week he has on a restricted diet of nothing but fruits, veggies, and protein shakes. Thank God for Shakeology. Then I will transition back whole grains and lean meats. We'll see how it goes. I weighin in 4 weeks so wish me luck.

SHBoss1673

What kind of nutrition training has your trainer had? I ask this as a ACE certified personal trainer myself, and know that I would NEVER give someone a nutrition plan without being trained formally in nutrition. I'll give advice, offer my opinion, but never ever give someone a plan. Especially one as strict as that without at least some kind of nutrition training (formal training with a certification by an NCCA accreditation backing it).

gurgi22

Please listen to SHBoss1673 and make sure this trainer knows what they are talking about. Some personal trainers have no certifications at all. I would run the advice he gave you by a certified nutritionist of dietitian before following him blindly.

emersoam

I'm not a fan of this nutritional plan either. Your body needs healthy carbs for fuel/energy! This is especially important when you are starting up a new exercise regime, which is going to be tough on your body.

fitnewlife

I get some carbs from the shakeology and from baked sweet potatoes or bake potatoes. But I'll check with my doc this afternoon to see what she says because I have an appointment with her. Thanks so much for the advice and I will sure to what my doc says and not the trainer. She knows me a lot better.

AnAbsoluteDiva

I would say that a bunch of doctors don't know much either.

Your trainer has you on a decent enough regimen. Complex carbohydrates, low fat, protein from the shake although I'm not crazy about seeing liquid protein. Sounds like you'll get plenty of fiber if you mix up the vegetables enough. V-8 in the morning is bangin'... try it.

My credentials: Master's in Nutrition and BS in exercise physiology.

sallyLunn

I like your goal of learning how to swim. It is a very worthwhile goal.

fitnewlife

I actually feel quite energized and I didn't have any coffee. I had a cup of green tea. Now I'm about to eat some broccoli, cauliflower, and corn. I'll have another shakeology this afternoon. For dinner I'm going to eat a huge salad and for my evening snack either an apple for I just might make me a fruit salad. Tonight I'm going to make a pot of vegetable soup and cook a sweet potato for my lunch tomorrow.

I would say that a bunch of doctors don't know much either.

Your trainer has you on a decent enough regimen. Complex carbohydrates, low fat, protein from the shake although I'm not crazy about seeing liquid protein. Sounds like you'll get plenty of fiber if you mix up the vegetables enough. V-8 in the morning is bangin'... try it.

My credentials: Master's in Nutrition and BS in exercise physiology.

edorice

A great protein shake that I would recommend is BSN Lean Dessert. Others have stated that you need carbs, but they don't seem to realize that your carbs would be coming from the Shakeology, fruits, and veggies. Duh!

I think having the help of a personal trainer is a decent idea for a short period like you are doing. From that point on you need to tap into your own intensity and have a solid plan of action.

fitnewlife

Thanks and trust me if I feel too hungry or too weak I will add in carbs. But today has been a good day so I'm good.

A great protein shake that I would recommend is BSN Lean Dessert. Others have stated that you need carbs, but they don't seem to realize that your carbs would be coming from the Shakeology, fruits, and veggies. Duh!

I think having the help of a personal trainer is a decent idea for a short period like you are doing. From that point on you need to tap into your own intensity and have a solid plan of action.

Azdak

I'm sure you'll survive, but it does bother me to see people spending good money on a "trainer" who is acting, at the very least, unethically and, depending on the state, possibly illegally.

SHBoss1673

I'm sure you'll survive, but it does bother me to see people spending good money on a "trainer" who is acting, at the very least, unethically and, depending on the state, possibly illegally.

my thoughts exactly. ACE is very specific about what you should and shouldn't be telling clients. I.E. you can offer advice as long as you are blatantly clear that you are NOT a professional, and this is only your opinion and that if they want more information you strongly recommend they go see a professional. Nutrition is basically a state thing, there's no Federal government body that covers it (with regards to speaking to clients), but many states specifically prohibit trainers from giving out any advice without being certified by that state's governing body. Massachusetts (the state I live in) doesn't have a governing body, but you can still be sued for all kinds of violations if you present yourself to a PAYING client as a professional in the field. Generally, all you have to say is "I'm not a certified nutritionist or registered dietitian, but if it were me this is what I'd do..."
And then I'd probably be very firm about suggesting that they go see a registered dietitian if the plan were anything other than very close to the FDA food pyramid.

fitnewlife

He did suggest I see my doctor that's why I'm going. I have other concerns I have to discuss with my doc besides the meal plan.

I'm sure you'll survive, but it does bother me to see people spending good money on a "trainer" who is acting, at the very least, unethically and, depending on the state, possibly illegally.

my thoughts exactly. ACE is very specific about what you should and shouldn't be telling clients. I.E. you can offer advice as long as you are blatantly clear that you are NOT a professional, and this is only your opinion and that if they want more information you strongly recommend they go see a professional. Nutrition is basically a state thing, there's no Federal government body that covers it (with regards to speaking to clients), but many states specifically prohibit trainers from giving out any advice without being certified by that state's governing body. Massachusetts (the state I live in) doesn't have a governing body, but you can still be sued for all kinds of violations if you present yourself to a PAYING client as a professional in the field. Generally, all you have to say is "I'm not a certified nutritionist or registered dietitian, but if it were me this is what I'd do..."
And then I'd probably be very firm about suggesting that they go see a registered dietitian if the plan were anything other than very close to the FDA food pyramid.

SHBoss1673

my point was just that unless he has some kind of certification in nutrition, he shouldn't be giving you meal plans to follow at all, he can make suggestions on types of foods that are better than others, and maybe recommend that you follow types of nutritional profiles, but never giving you diet plans. Recommending you visit a doctor is fine, but my point is that instead of giving you a diet plan, he should have referred you to a registered dietitian or at least someone with an ncca certification in nutrition.

It may be the perfect plan for you, and he may be excellent at nutrition, but legally (and morally), it's irresponsible for someone to pass themself off as a professional on a health related topic unless they have specific training in that field, especially if you pay them for their services. Which is why I asked, maybe he has it. I don't know.