Discussing EM2WL with trainer or coach

Hollyaw24

Hi all. I am 5'5", 187 lbs, female, 41 years old. Yesterday I started a primarily strength training boot camp which meets 60 minutes 2x/week, plus has "homework" of 45 minutes of cardio 4-5x/week. The coach emailed my calorie goal...1330…much lower than the 1600-1800 calories per day that I calculated. (Also, I got a bodymedia fit at the end of December, and it says I'm burning 2150/day average, without exercising.)

We are required to bring our completed food journal to each session of boot camp. While I'm sure I'd lose more at 1330, I am not interested in going that low, especially since I have not been working out for a few months and am starting to exercise.

1. Do you think that my calculations are off and that I should shoot for 1330? If so, please tell me! I want to do the right thing for my long-term success.

2. How do you explain the difference in calculation to trainers?

Thanks for your thoughts

ladyace2078

I would recommend discussing the methods of calculating the intake and your goals. That way you are basically saying 'we are both right, we just have different goals/methods' and the discussion goes much smoother.

Greenrun99

You can discuss the methods you are using, but they are probably going to recommend following their program.

Here is the reason why, you joined a boot camp its probably a 6 week program (something like that) designed at getting you in shape and losing some weight. Their main focus is to have you see weight loss in that time period doing the work they prescribe you (which is basically 7 days a week of working out) while following their program. Eating with a large deficit is the best way for you to see quick results in their time period.
Seeing this weight loss, you will be happy with the program and recommend it to your friends that you lost x amount of weight and it was a great program.. But here is the catch, after the program you will go back to eating "Normal" and regain most of that weight in a short period of time.. then guess what, you will resign up for their class.. This is the same trick Weight Watchers uses, and all the other diet programs use that have you eat basically 1200 calories a day with their designed meals to make you see weight loss.

With you paying for the program, I would probably just follow it or see if they will let you eat what you want just tell them your in it for the exercise and to get a focus on workouts.. Other than that if you do eat 1330 for the time period, when your done you slowly increase your calories back up to where you want to be (100 calories every 2 weeks or so)

Gapwedge01

You will lose weight. However, exercising 7 days a week will put stress on your body. In addition eating below BMR will put stress on your body and you will not have the same energy level you had at your current calorie level and will eventually stall.

I agree. This is a short term program trying to achieve short term results.

Hollyaw24

Thanks for the good ideas. I knew you could help. I agree that asking her how she calculated the calories is a good way to start the conversation. I expect that I will lose both inches and pounds by decreasing calories and increasing exercise without dropping to extremely low calorie intake.
I forgot that one thing she did say is that she is calculating for 3 days a week of working out because she doesn't think everyone will do their exercise homework each day. I would rather workout more and eat 1500-1600 than not workout and stay at 1300. This is another good discussion point I can add when we talk about it.
Thanks. My project for the week is to at least skim the pinned posts on this board so that I am better educated on this topic.
I am 50 pounds heavier than I was the first time I attended weight watchers. Eating low calorie is not a viable option for me at this time. I plan to find a method I can stick with for life.

Gapwedge01

"Eating low calorie is not a viable option for me at this time. I plan to find a method I can stick with for life."

You found the right place for that.

amonkey794

Heck if you are burning 2100+ calories withOUT exercise, you would lose even if you didn't do the homework exercise!