my appointment with a "trainer" FEEDBACK PLZ!

vjohn04
vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Ok, so I just got back from my appointment I had scheduled with a "trainer".
We sat down, talked about my habits, goals, and my general outlook. I explained that I was interested in shedding a couple points in BF, but not necessarily lose weight. I said I was interested in maximizing my glutes and hammy workouts but could not perform squats or deadlifts the way I needed to (due to my back surgery, and I needed some sort of modifications since I'm not seeing the results I want to see).

Here were the triggers of when I stopped listening to him and decided he was full of crapola:


-If I do cardio and let my heart rate get over 165 bpm, I will burn muscle and not fat.
-To lose additional fat, I need to go on a low/no carb diet for at least 3 weeks while maxing out on protein.
-I need to include supplements (like cinnamon and cayenne pepper) to my diet because my metabolism needs a boost
- I don't need to count calories, I just need to watch carbs
-The stack ranking in terms of importance (least to most) for changing my body composition is as follows:
Diet
Supplements
Cardio
Weight Lifting

How can Supplements be more important than DIET? Whaaaat?



And then he asked me to pay him 74 dollars per visit. um. no.


Comments? Please feel free....


Edit for typo
«1

Replies

  • daj150
    daj150 Posts: 815 Member
    I hate to say this, but he is correct. This is part of the basis of the TNT Diet for example. It works very well for shaving body fat. Worked wonders for me...however, it's a short-term thing, as the trainer noted. Also, cardio does burn muscle. This is one of the first posts I think a trainer was actually correct for a change. I would say go back to him ASAP. If you don't believe this, I recommend doing some research. The only thing I would add to what he said is you also need to get a good amount of fiber as well. What sucks about this plan for most people is that this means you basically remove all fruits and virtually all carbs, which is really tough to do for most people. Good luck!
  • gimpygramma
    gimpygramma Posts: 383 Member
    What are his credentials? Not all "trainers" are created equal.
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    I'd like to see more opinions on this! How pepper and cinnamon can be more important than diet is rather mystifying to me too...
  • MFPBONNIE
    MFPBONNIE Posts: 94 Member
    You got all the information, use it and keep your 74 bucks! Listen to DAJ150.
  • MFPBONNIE
    MFPBONNIE Posts: 94 Member
    one more thing - you look FAB!!
  • daj150
    daj150 Posts: 815 Member
    The stack ranking is based on trimming body fat. The supplements are natural, so the body will be able to absorb them well (not like the crazy GNC vita-paks). Cardio may be a bit confusing. Cardio at that heart rate level usually means you will be doing HIIT training (High Intensity Interval Training). Think P90x, Insanity, CrossFit, etc. Do some sets of CrossFit burpees and you'll be at max heart instantly, lol. And finally, weight lifting is the most important. I'll try and explain this in a short summary....

    By minimizing carbs to an extremely low level, when you lift weights, your body FIRST tries to burn carbs. Since you will have almost no carbs for your body to burn, you start burning fat. However, you can't do stuff like long cardio workouts like distance running because you need carbs for that. Look up the TNT Diet....it explains this all pretty well. There are many other versions of this diet as well...they all say the same thing.
  • daj150
    daj150 Posts: 815 Member
    Oh yeah, check out Livestrong.com. You can learn all about natural supplements. For example, cinnamon helps reduce inflamation (THIS IS KEY for the workout plan the trainer mentioned), it aids with digestion, and more.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/285719-what-health-benefits-does-cinnamon-have-on-the-body/

    Enjoy!
  • Mock_Turtle
    Mock_Turtle Posts: 354 Member
    DA *kitten*?

    re: cardio burning muscle - that is a ridiculous myth. Pro soccer players stay jacked all season rather than turning into boney waifs from playing 40-60+ matches running 10km+ each time.


    Anyway here's Alan Aragon's take on it. I'd take his word over a local trainer bro everytime.


    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=428225&p=5305465&viewfull=1#post5305465
    [ you can also do higher intensity for shorter periods, & it accomplishes the same thing. this whole myth about raising intensity too much not burning fat on the same par with low intensity & risking muscle loss has been examined thoroughly. guess what? no difference in net fat oxidation when calories burned are matched between the 2 types of training. in other words, whether you train lighter for 2 hrs or train harder for 1 hour, the net fat oxidation is the same at the end of the day. in fact, from a research standpoint, a better case can be made for going higher intensity for fat loss & LBM retention, given the prereq that your joints & heart can withstand it, & this undoubtedly varies from person to person. the low-intensity "fat burning zone" is a myth that has been busted in the lab & in the real world. bottom line: do what type of cardio suits your personal preference, but don't do it based on the myth that lower intensity = more fat loss & more muscle retention. i have plenty of evidence to back this up, so any challenge is welcome]
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    I hate to say this, but he is correct. This is part of the basis of the TNT Diet for example. It works very well for shaving body fat. Worked wonders for me...however, it's a short-term thing, as the trainer noted. Also, cardio does burn muscle. This is one of the first posts I think a trainer was actually correct for a change. I would say go back to him ASAP. If you don't believe this, I recommend doing some research. The only thing I would add to what he said is you also need to get a good amount of fiber as well. What sucks about this plan for most people is that this means you basically remove all fruits and virtually all carbs, which is really tough to do for most people. Good luck!


    How does cardio burn muscle when my heart rate goes over 165 bpm??? I strength train, and alternate with cardio-- so I am unsure how this can occur.

    How will my body composition stay the same when I incorporate carbohydrates back into my diet? I am having a hard time wrapping my head around this one.
  • bonniecarbs
    bonniecarbs Posts: 446 Member
    DAJ150 you can train me any time! I've read this stuff you are talking about. I loved doing low carb when I was really heavy, its the only thing that worked for me. Finally down to where I can do MFP.
  • sullykat
    sullykat Posts: 461 Member
    But is it a long term solution?
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    one more thing - you look FAB!!

    Thank you! :-)
  • crazy4lulu
    crazy4lulu Posts: 822 Member
    hey sweety... i just p m d you on this!!!
  • bonniecarbs
    bonniecarbs Posts: 446 Member
    those pro soccer players eat a lot of carbs for that energy
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    I'm no expert..but check out this group:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

    Read all the stickies. It's great information to know and the people in the group really know their stuff. I'd ask one them to be honest.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    I'm a qualified and registered trainer, yours is not.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    hey sweety... i just p m d you on this!!!

    Please and thank you! I had send you a FR, and would LOVE it if you accept it!
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    I hate to say this, but he is correct. This is part of the basis of the TNT Diet for example. It works very well for shaving body fat. Worked wonders for me...however, it's a short-term thing, as the trainer noted. Also, cardio does burn muscle. This is one of the first posts I think a trainer was actually correct for a change. I would say go back to him ASAP. If you don't believe this, I recommend doing some research. The only thing I would add to what he said is you also need to get a good amount of fiber as well. What sucks about this plan for most people is that this means you basically remove all fruits and virtually all carbs, which is really tough to do for most people. Good luck!


    And THANK YOU for your response!
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    those pro soccer players eat a lot of carbs for that energy

    Exactly.
  • achild829
    achild829 Posts: 1
    It sounds like your are interested in toning your muscles, firming all the places that have sagged. You don't look like you have a weight issue, so I used that for my conclusion. After having been to many fitness coaches, my main concern is being fit, i haven't struggled with my weight in a huge way, but it is always something for me to be careful about.
    I would find a coach who is mirroring what you are saying.Emphasizing eating healthy is very important while working on fitness.Multi vitamins is important, but not more important than eating right. If he heard you correctly, you would have signed up. Keep looking, wait til someone says, what i hear you saying is....and if that's what you're saying, go for it. If you find that supplements are something that you want to incorporate, that's fine. But that's not what I hear your saying...js keep lookin:smile:
  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    He not only put supplements ahead of diet, he put cardio ahead of diet. You really don't need supplements, and cardio isn't magical though it will allow you to eat more.

    Dig into both Alan Aragon (mentioned above) and the Eat, Train, Progress group here on MFP (also mentioned above), and find a new trainer.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    those pro soccer players eat a lot of carbs for that energy

    Exactly.

    I'd still be playing soccer if I hadn't had my accident. This is something I thought of too.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    Thanks for the link to that group.... it's the first time I'd seen it.

    I guess the reason I had scheduled this was (well it was a Groupon, so I did get a deal) and that I just wanted someone "qualified" with their fancy certifications to tell me that I had a good plan, and I was doing the right thing.

    I also really wanted him to show me how to target my hamstrings and butt without performing exercises that would add too much pressure to my low back. He didn't really do that either.

    *sigh*
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Thanks for the link to that group.... it's the first time I'd seen it.

    I guess the reason I had scheduled this was (well it was a Groupon, so I did get a deal) and that I just wanted someone "qualified" with their fancy certifications to tell me that I had a good plan, and I was doing the right thing.

    I also really wanted him to show me how to target my hamstrings and butt without performing exercises that would add too much pressure to my low back. He didn't really do that either.

    *sigh*

    As I said, I'm qualified certified and registered. You appear to have good instincts. Keep researching from peer reviewed studies and medical professionals.

    I hope you can find someone qualified to help you with your back recovery.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    What he gave you is pretty standard advice for cutting for an event. If you're not training for av specific event there are many other routes you can choose. I'm just saying he wasn't full of crap, but perhaps his plan doesn't suit your current needs.
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    What he gave you is pretty standard advice for cutting for an event. If you're not training for av specific event there are many other routes you can choose. I'm just saying he wasn't full of crap, but perhaps his plan doesn't suit your current needs.


    Thanks for the advice! I don't think his plan suits my needs and will continue my quest elsewhere.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Wow. Even by personal trainer standards that is pretty stupid.

    It's like a dumbass cliche buffet.
  • CynthiaWinnie
    CynthiaWinnie Posts: 28
    I agree with everythig he says. Start weight lifting cardio style. super sets to keep your met going. Weight lifting burns all day long. Cardio only burns that 200 calories for that one hour. Lower your carbs, higher your protein. Got to do this. Weigh your foods not your body. Got to change!!! Listen to HIM!!
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    I agree with everythig he says. Start weight lifting cardio style. super sets to keep your met going. Weight lifting burns all day long. Cardio only burns that 200 calories for that one hour. Lower your carbs, higher your protein. Got to do this. Weigh your foods not your body. Got to change!!! Listen to HIM!!

    But I already lift three times per week?

    But I already weigh all my food?

    But I already max out my protein?

    But I'm not trying to lose weight?

    I'm not sure what you're getting at here.... Did you read the post?
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    I call bull poopoo on his advice. And take a grain of salt those who answered on this thread. Research research research and make your own opinion. The group posted is a good one.

    Good luck

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