Some concerns about the plan my new trainer gave me

luckyshilling

I don't think you are being resistant to change. I agree that his dietary suggestions do not sound maintainable.
Yes, MFP may not give you accurate calorie burns at all times. Maybe buy a heart rate moniter if you desire an accurate cal. burn count on your (amazing by the way) hikes. It would be money much better spent than if you bought that Emerge stuff.

1 cup Parsley, ugh:sick:

luckyshilling

Oh - one more thing. Trainers aren't trained in dietetics. That is an advanced 4 year degree. He's trained in commissions.

Wow - you were so right on this one. I just got back from the gym where I asked for my membership fee back, as it is within the trial week. I expressed my concerns, and in response, he basically called me a weakling and proudly told me he only eats 850 calories a day and is "losing 4-5 pounds a week." Then it slipped out - he is pedaling the "Take Shape for Life" program, but without the meal replacements. I guess he makes a completely unpalatable plan that leaves you gasping for food and then when you tell him you are hungry ("let me know if you are too hungry on this) he sells you the supplements. I looked up Take Shape for Life - the company is involved in litigation because it is a pyramid scheme. He refused to refund my money "because it annoys him" and said I have to return on Tuesday when his office assistant is there. He also mentioned that he is the absolute top in his field.

What a jerk!

fietsvrouw

I called Take Shape for Life this morning and the plot thickens. He is a certified coach for the program, but the meal plan and supplements he is pushing are not part of Take Shape for Life. They referred the matter to their compliance department.

I went back to the gym this morning to ask again that the owner/trainer (same person) refund my subscription fee, because it is in the first week and I don't really want to continue at his gym given his dishonesty regarding the meal plan. When I went in, I told the employee that the plan was being misrepresented as Take Shape for Life and that I wanted a refund and would be going elsewhere. I was asked to return in 10 minutes when the owner would speak with me. When I returned, he had about a dozen boxes of what looked like snack bars from the Take Shape for Life program on the counter and he had someone else with him whom he introduced as "officer XXX of the police department". I asked if this was an employee, and he said "it's just someone so that there is a witness about what I tell you" (it was another gym patron" in case you are disrespectful like you were yesterday.

For the record, I was in no way disrespectful. I asked that we discuss why I wanted to leave the gym somewhere besides the front desk of his place of business, I did not raise my voice, but I let him know that the plan he was offering was not a safe and healthy plan, let him know what was in the supplement he was pushing (he had no idea.)

He then proceeded to tell me I had misunderstood, and that the plan he gave me and the program he used was a different weight loss program. It was the first time I had heard the name of this "other program" and it is not listed on his website. He was geared up to give me a huge speech. It was very clear that what he was trying to do was intimidate me by introducing this gym patron as a police officer, and that he wanted to create a story (the only one in front of a witness who is not in his employ) that what he really told me was the speech to follow.This guy is obviously very aware of the legal implications of what he is doing and that what he is doing is fraudulent. I definitely did not mishear him or misunderstand him.

So wow - I guess I just learned a valuable lesson on trust (and when not to) and on how unscrupulous a gym can be.

lcfairbairn74

That whole place sounds seriously dodgy!! I am glad you are out of there for a whole host of reasons!! :noway:

Did you eventually get your money back? You can go out and buy that heart rate monitor and continue doing fabulously as you have been!

ShaunaMcMac

Go with your 'gut' ????

herblackwings39

I hope you got your refund after his little anti-litigation speech and I wish you the best of luck in finding a good gym with a reputable trainer.

_Zardoz_

Dodgy I really hope you have managed to get your money back and can now find a good gym. The problem is the minority of idiots like this give the rest of them a bad name.