I Got Told Gym Won't Help Me Lose Weight

The "trainer" is full of it.

It IS calories in, calories out. (Although weights are great for you, and muscle mass at rest burns slightly more than other body mass at rest. )

Weight loss happens in the eating. If you're at a calorie deficit (even if you're not exercising at all) you'll lose.

Frankly, shame on that dude.

Awe...don't listen to them. While they are right that by building muscles you up your metabolism...that's NOT the only way to lose weight. Cardio is still really really good for you and very good for your heart and burns fat! As far as why you didn't lose...I can't really say. Sometimes that just happens. Seems like everybody is having a "bad" week this week...so it's not just you. I'd like to think that maybe the earth is in some sort of weird rotation and that at this time, everbody weighs an extra 5 lbs! (that's my theory and I'm sticking with it!

So stick with it. Don't give up!

How do you know your heart rate for a calorie burn?

I hate to say this, but I think the trainer was just telling you that to make a sale. In my experience, some of the trainers can be pretty sketchy and they are just trying to get you to sign up. If you do decide to get a trainer, make sure their motivation is pure- to help you!

Hope this helps! Good luck!

I have been doing this for the last year. I have a really hard time with the strength training part of exercising. I just get bored with it. Anyway, so my exercise routine is mainly cardio. I go between the elliptical and treadmill (running), and have lost about 65 pounds.

Although I did lose all that weight without strength training, I now wish I had done it because I have a lot of extra skin and flab now. My goal this year is to tone.

So, you will lose weight. I did! Eventually you will want to tone at some point though.

Hope this helps.

Your diary shows that you are consistently around four hundred calories low. That's not so good to begin with. In fact, there was a day there you only had nine hundred. That just doesn't seem like enough. As far as calories in/calories out, I firmly believe that is correct. However, it is good to have some strength training mixed in there. By the way, strength training doesn't have to be painful. Start out super light and once your muscles start getting used to being used, build up to heavier weights with low reps. Some soreness will be there, but it shouldn't be painful. I do believe you can still lose weight with cardio only though. In fact, I bet there are many on here who have.

It is a long process, losing weight. It happens so slowly you generally won't notice a difference, it sorta sneaks up on you. Be patient and strong. If you are consistingly losing a pound a week you are doing fantastic. Also, understand that its not just about losing weight, but about being healthy and building self respect by proving to yourself that you can do it. And, of course, you definitely CAN do it. You should try eating a bit more though. I have never experienced it, but many experts say your body goes into starvation mode if your caloric intake is too low.

I know all this can be confusing and I defintiely felt overwhelmed when I started working out to lose weight. You are right that cardio is a good way to lose weight and it is about calories in compared to calories out.
I think people get scared about strength training and what it is. It doesn't mean that you have to lift super heavy weights and get huge muscles.
You can do other exercises like squats and lunges holding onto hand weights or body weight exercises like tricep dips and push ups. These are great exercises becuase you don't even need to go to the gym to do them. Even for abs you can do plank exercises and leg lifts. These kind of exercises will tone your muscles and will continue to burn fat for a longer time after you have stopped exercising than cardio will.
Everyone is different but if you are going to the gym 5 times a week maybe do 3 x cardio and in between alternate with just a small amount of cardio and these kind of exercises.
I think you will find that they will really help you.

The biggest issue with people losing weight is getting discouraged, because they are not seeing results fast enough. Weight just doesn't melt off and it varies from person to person and how much and where they lose it from. I lost 50lbs in the past and was just like you "not seeing any results," but when I look back I wanted to lose the weight in my stomach, but instead I was losing it in my face, arms and legs first. As others said the trainer may be looking for business. Just keepeat on calorie counting and making sure you are making smart choice and keep exercising. Change your cardio up a lot as your body will adjust to the routine and you won't burn as much as you did before. Push yourself every time and make it a goal every week to go longer, harder or faster the next week.

When it comes to weights I would always suggest this as it does increase your metabolism, tone your body and burn calories. Try to start to incorporate this into your rountine by doing seperate muscles groups. I will give you an example on what I do for just an idea. I tend to go to cycle class a lot since it burns tons of calories and very intense. I hope some of this information helps and I wish you the best!!!

Weights Cardio
MON Back and Biceps Running
Tues Chest and Triceps Cycle
Wed Legs Stair Master/ Walking on incline
Thurs Shoulders Cycle
Friday OFF Cycle

I'm pretty sure somebody else has said the same thing, but whoever this trainer is probably needs to lose his job. YES, weight training should probably be added to, if it's not already in, your routine, b/c it'll help burn more fat. But it's not the ONLY way you'll lose the weight. I don't know much about Weight Watcher's, but I'm pretty sure you're taking in too many calories if you're not losing any weight. Calories in vs. calories out is one of those things that it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to go against, except for some other type of medical problem a person may have. So, keep up your cardio, consider adding weights, and use MFP.com to count your calories and lose your weight!!!!!!!! Good luck!

As a manager of a gym and a trainer for 11 years I am telling you that what the trainer told you is false. If you consume less calories than you take in you are going to lose weight. Be sure to eat enough as if you eat too little your body will go into starvation mode and hold onto everything it can especially fat. You need to do lots of cardio as this will help you lose fat but you should also do resistance training to build lean muscle mass too especailly if you are eating to lose weight. If you don't then you will lose muscle which will weaken your joints and slow your metabolism down slowing the rate at which you burn fat. The more lean muscle mass you have on your body, the faster your metabolism will be and the faster your body will burn fat.
I hope this helps. Keep up the workouts and good luck. You can do it.

The "trainer" is full of it.

It IS calories in, calories out. (Although weights are great for you, and muscle mass at rest burns slightly more than other body mass at rest. )

Weight loss happens in the eating. If you're at a calorie deficit (even if you're not exercising at all) you'll lose.

Frankly, shame on that dude.

Hell ya! That's right, I started out by just not eating fast food and walking more, 3-4 times a week for bout 45miin! I lost weight. Give yourself time. It sometimes takes my body a week or more to show results of extra exercise or bad eating choices. It's not instant. As long as you eat your cals and exercise cals you should be fine. Keep hope, and give dude a diry look from me next time ya see him! :grumble:

:flowerforyou:

I am so demotivated.
I joined the gym 18th of Decemeber, have had no caffiene and only alcohol on New Years Eve and thr 4th of Jan.
I have been doing cardio at the gym, about one hour either on the exercise bike or cross trainer, and then half an hour on the one I did not do the hour on.

I have been sticking very strictly to low fat, weight watchers food. Despite this I feel no different, feel I look no different (no one has said otherwise) and have only lost a bit of weight.

I was speaking to someone at the gym today who is a personal trainer, and he said my workout will NOT help me lose weight. He said the only way to lose weight is through building muscle - ie- lifting weights. I don't want to do this as it hurts me.
He said what I have been doing for the past few weeks will no have helped me lose any weight.

I thought it was calories in vs calories out. And I burn around 500 calories most times I go to the gym and I go around 4-5 times a week. Please help, I don't understand why he said this workout wouldnt work.
And why I feel and look no different

I think that as long as you are challenging your body, and 'excercising' you should see results within time. Be realistic, you're not going to drop a ton of weight right away, but try and not feel discouraged by this. I work out with a trainer and I've only lost 10 pounds in 3 months. Was I expecting more? Not at all. I don't focus on the numbers because they will fluctuate. Instead, focus on how your clothes fit and becoming healthier and stronger.

And a good trainer will never tell you that what you are doing isn't going to help! Like Jennplus said, he was probably just trying to get you as a client!

Good luck!

Do not get demotivated. Here's a nice description of target heart rates from the American Heart Association that should help you.

Target Heart Rates

AHA Recommendation
Health professionals know the importance of proper pacing during exercise. To receive the benefits of physical activity, it's important not to tire too quickly. Pacing yourself is especially important if you've been inactive.

Target heart rates let you measure your initial fitness level and monitor your progress in a fitness program. This approach requires measuring your pulse periodically as you exercise and staying within 50 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. This range is called your target heart rate.

What is an alternative to target heart rates?

Some people can't measure their pulse or don't want to take their pulse when exercising. If this is true for you, try using a "conversational pace" to monitor your efforts during moderate activities like walking. If you can talk and walk at the same time, you aren't working too hard. If you can sing and maintain your level of effort, you're probably not working hard enough. If you get out of breath quickly, you're probably working too hard — especially if you have to stop and catch your breath.

When should I use the target heart rate?

If you participate in more-vigorous activities like brisk walking and jogging, the "conversational pace" approach may not work. Then try using the target heart rate. It works for many people, and it's a good way for health professionals to monitor your progress.

The table below shows estimated target heart rates for different ages. Look for the age category closest to yours, then read across to find your target heart rate.

Age Target HR Zone
50–85 % Average Maximum Heart Rate 100 %
20 years 100–170 beats per minute 200 beats per minute
25 years 98–166 beats per minute 195 beats per minute
30 years 95–162 beats per minute 190 beats per minute
35 years 93–157 beats per minute 185 beats per minute
40 years 90–153 beats per minute 180 beats per minute
45 years 88–149 beats per minute 175 beats per minute
50 years 85–145 beats per minute 170 beats per minute
55 years 83–140 beats per minute 165 beats per minute
60 years 80–136 beats per minute 160 beats per minute
65 years 78–132 beats per minute 155 beats per minute
70 years 75–128 beats per minute 150 beats per minute

Your maximum heart rate is about 220 minus your age. The figures above are averages, so use them as general guidelines.

Note: A few high blood pressure medications lower the maximum heart rate and thus the target zone rate. If you're taking such medicine, call your physician to find out if you need to use a lower target heart rate.

How should I pace myself?

When starting an exercise program, aim at the lowest part of your target zone (50 percent) during the first few weeks. Gradually build up to the higher part of your target zone (75 percent). After six months or more of regular exercise, you may be able to exercise comfortably at up to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. However, you don't have to exercise that hard to stay in shape.