Some concerns about the plan my new trainer gave me
fietsvrouw
Posts: 50 Member
I am just finishing week 4 of my own plan that I made up, and although I have only dropped 6 pounds (from 270 to 264) on the scale in that time, I am pretty comfortable with that. My calorie goal after taking 500 off of my base metabolism is a little over 1800, and I am burning 700-900 calories a day hiking on the mountain near me, and am lifting weights 3 times a week. I have been tracking my exercise and trying to keep my additional deficit to around 700 (eating around 1800-2000) because I don't feel that a deficit of more than 1000-1500 a day is going to be healthy for me. I want to lose weight, but I would rather lose more slowly if it increase the chance of keeping the weight off for good.
I joined a gym because I outgrew my dumbbells and wanted access to a good weight room. I also decided to work with a trainer to really get a solid strength training plan. This guy is pushing a meal plan at me that is 1200 calories. I told him that that seemed too low, and that based on the calories estimated by MyFitnessPal for hauling my fat rear end up a 1000 foot elevation change every day, MFP is estimating that I need to eat 2500 to have a 500 calorie deficit. He scoffed and said the system is probably overestimating what I am burning.
My gut feeling (no pun intended) is that the deficit I have been maintaining is working and at a speed that seems safe reasonable to me. His "meal plan" is made up entirely of meals that are lie "4 oz raw tofu, 1 cup raw broccoli, 1 cup of raw parsley." No exaggeration. Although he stresses that he is offering a lifestyle change and not a diet, this smacks of diet to me. I know that under no circumstances and I going to be eating raw tofu and a cup of parsley on a regular basis, and I have been vegetarian for years.
Added to that, he is pushing a supplement called Emerge at me that is basically a diet supplement that contains an appetite suppressant, an undisclosed amount of caffeine, and synephrine, which is associated with ephedra-like side effects. Exactly what I don't want when I am cleaning up my food choices and really exercising to lose weight and get fit in a way that represents a sustainable lifestyle change. I know that when someone comes in and tries to tweak what you eat and how you exercise, it can evoke resistance, and I don't want to sabotage myself by resisting the changes I need to make to get fit and back to a comfortable weight. On the other hand, I have this feeling that what he is suggesting is really aimed at very fast, potentially unhealthy weight loss, because that is the product he is selling.
So I am wondering if my fellow weight-loss adventurers can tell me, am I just being resistant to change because I don't want to feel hungry all the time? Is 1200 reasonable when MyFitnessPal is estimating that I am burning 3000 calories? Help me, Obiwan Kenobis. You're my only hope!
I joined a gym because I outgrew my dumbbells and wanted access to a good weight room. I also decided to work with a trainer to really get a solid strength training plan. This guy is pushing a meal plan at me that is 1200 calories. I told him that that seemed too low, and that based on the calories estimated by MyFitnessPal for hauling my fat rear end up a 1000 foot elevation change every day, MFP is estimating that I need to eat 2500 to have a 500 calorie deficit. He scoffed and said the system is probably overestimating what I am burning.
My gut feeling (no pun intended) is that the deficit I have been maintaining is working and at a speed that seems safe reasonable to me. His "meal plan" is made up entirely of meals that are lie "4 oz raw tofu, 1 cup raw broccoli, 1 cup of raw parsley." No exaggeration. Although he stresses that he is offering a lifestyle change and not a diet, this smacks of diet to me. I know that under no circumstances and I going to be eating raw tofu and a cup of parsley on a regular basis, and I have been vegetarian for years.
Added to that, he is pushing a supplement called Emerge at me that is basically a diet supplement that contains an appetite suppressant, an undisclosed amount of caffeine, and synephrine, which is associated with ephedra-like side effects. Exactly what I don't want when I am cleaning up my food choices and really exercising to lose weight and get fit in a way that represents a sustainable lifestyle change. I know that when someone comes in and tries to tweak what you eat and how you exercise, it can evoke resistance, and I don't want to sabotage myself by resisting the changes I need to make to get fit and back to a comfortable weight. On the other hand, I have this feeling that what he is suggesting is really aimed at very fast, potentially unhealthy weight loss, because that is the product he is selling.
So I am wondering if my fellow weight-loss adventurers can tell me, am I just being resistant to change because I don't want to feel hungry all the time? Is 1200 reasonable when MyFitnessPal is estimating that I am burning 3000 calories? Help me, Obiwan Kenobis. You're my only hope!
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Replies
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I wouldn't do it. Google Nia Shanks, she keeps it common sense and real.0
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I am just finishing week 4 of my own plan that I made up, and although I have only dropped 6 pounds (from 270 to 264) on the scale in that time, I am pretty comfortable with that. My calorie goal after taking 500 off of my base metabolism is a little over 1800, and I am burning 700-900 calories a day hiking on the mountain near me, and am lifting weights 3 times a week. I have been tracking my exercise and trying to keep my additional deficit to around 700 (eating around 1800-2000) because I don't feel that a deficit of more than 1000-1500 a day is going to be healthy for me. I want to lose weight, but I would rather lose more slowly if it increase the chance of keeping the weight off for good.
I joined a gym because I outgrew my dumbbells and wanted access to a good weight room. I also decided to work with a trainer to really get a solid strength training plan. This guy is pushing a meal plan at me that is 1200 calories. I told him that that seemed too low, and that based on the calories estimated by MyFitnessPal for hauling my fat rear end up a 1000 foot elevation change every day, MFP is estimating that I need to eat 2500 to have a 500 calorie deficit. He scoffed and said the system is probably overestimating what I am burning.
My gut feeling (no pun intended) is that the deficit I have been maintaining is working and at a speed that seems safe reasonable to me. His "meal plan" is made up entirely of meals that are lie "4 oz raw tofu, 1 cup raw broccoli, 1 cup of raw parsley." No exaggeration. Although he stresses that he is offering a lifestyle change and not a diet, this smacks of diet to me. I know that under no circumstances and I going to be eating raw tofu and a cup of parsley on a regular basis, and I have been vegetarian for years.
Added to that, he is pushing a supplement called Emerge at me that is basically a diet supplement that contains an appetite suppressant, an undisclosed amount of caffeine, and synephrine, which is associated with ephedra-like side effects. Exactly what I don't want when I am cleaning up my food choices and really exercising to lose weight and get fit in a way that represents a sustainable lifestyle change. I know that when someone comes in and tries to tweak what you eat and how you exercise, it can evoke resistance, and I don't want to sabotage myself by resisting the changes I need to make to get fit and back to a comfortable weight. On the other hand, I have this feeling that what he is suggesting is really aimed at very fast, potentially unhealthy weight loss, because that is the product he is selling.
So I am wondering if my fellow weight-loss adventurers can tell me, am I just being resistant to change because I don't want to feel hungry all the time? Is 1200 reasonable when MyFitnessPal is estimating that I am burning 3000 calories? Help me, Obiwan Kenobis. You're my only hope!
Trainers are NOT nutritionists - and while I am not either, everything reputable I have read (and my own personal experience) says the way you are doing food is the correct, safe, healthy way. Working out that much and eating 1200 calories a day will result in lean body mass loss, messed up hormones, fatigue, and slowed metabolism. Just follow his workout advice as long as it makes sense to.0 -
I agree with you.
If you are happily losing weight at 1800-2000 I can't see why you'd want to eat 1200. Especially since I also agree with you that those meals sound gross.
If you are losing weight without supplements why would you want them? He's selling stuff.0 -
ditch this trainer, trust your gut. stay on your own path: it's working!0
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When people do 1200 here on MFP, they're supposed to eat back exercise calories...so if you go forward with this, then definitely eat back your exercise calories.
Also, I pretty much think 1200 calories is stupid and so is your trainer...get a new trainer.0 -
I would talk with management at the gym. I am not sure that this is his role and there may be other trainers that would suit you better?
Seems like there should be a test drive option for this type of thing.0 -
Trust your gut. Lower than 1500 results in boomerang bingeing. I have found that it depends on the food I'm eating - if I'm keeping my intake at 3 oz of protein per meal, 2 cups of raw veggies, 2 t. fat, 1 cup whole grain/root veggie, 1 cup 2% dairy, 1 cup fruit per meal, I am always full and nourished and the weight falls off.0
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It sounds to me like your personal trainer is trying to push a completely unsustainable and unsafe plan onto you. Your plan is working and you are doing this the healthy way. Stick with what you are doing (after all, it's working!). Those diet pills also sound dangerous to me.0
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It seems like you know what you are doing. I say keep on with your current dietary plans as long as they are working for you and sustainable, use the trainer to get new ideas for working out and proper lifting form for the compound barbell lifts. Good luck!0
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Oh - one more thing. Trainers aren't trained in dietetics. That is an advanced 4 year degree. He's trained in commissions.0
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Just nod your head and smile about his attempt at offering nutrition and focus on what he has to offer as far as weights. It sounds like you have a handle on your eating plan and it is working for you. WTG!0
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I think you are right to be suspicious of this plan. I mean, yes you would definitely see results, but it's completely out of line with what you want, and what you feel safe and happy doing. Also, like you said, it seems unsustainable, so once this "plan" is finished, is it likely that the gains (or losses, depending on how you want to look at it...) are going to be maintained? Or will some of the weight just suddenly reappear when you stop eating a cup of parsley for a meal?
Is it possible to find a new trainer at your gym? If it was me, I would feel uncomfortable working with this guy, since he seems like he might be less than completely concerned for your health and safety. If there is someone else there who will be more understanding of what you truly want out of your program, you might be better off with them.
Good luck!0 -
I agree with you.
If you are happily losing weight at 1800-2000 I can't see why you'd want to eat 1200. Especially since I also agree with you that those meals sound gross.
If you are losing weight without supplements why would you want them? He's selling stuff.
Nicely stated!!! I totally agree.0 -
I am just finishing week 4 of my own plan that I made up, and although I have only dropped 6 pounds (from 270 to 264) on the scale in that time, I am pretty comfortable with that. My calorie goal after taking 500 off of my base metabolism is a little over 1800, and I am burning 700-900 calories a day hiking on the mountain near me, and am lifting weights 3 times a week. I have been tracking my exercise and trying to keep my additional deficit to around 700 (eating around 1800-2000) because I don't feel that a deficit of more than 1000-1500 a day is going to be healthy for me. I want to lose weight, but I would rather lose more slowly if it increase the chance of keeping the weight off for good.
I joined a gym because I outgrew my dumbbells and wanted access to a good weight room. I also decided to work with a trainer to really get a solid strength training plan. This guy is pushing a meal plan at me that is 1200 calories. I told him that that seemed too low, and that based on the calories estimated by MyFitnessPal for hauling my fat rear end up a 1000 foot elevation change every day, MFP is estimating that I need to eat 2500 to have a 500 calorie deficit. He scoffed and said the system is probably overestimating what I am burning.
My gut feeling (no pun intended) is that the deficit I have been maintaining is working and at a speed that seems safe reasonable to me. His "meal plan" is made up entirely of meals that are lie "4 oz raw tofu, 1 cup raw broccoli, 1 cup of raw parsley." No exaggeration. Although he stresses that he is offering a lifestyle change and not a diet, this smacks of diet to me. I know that under no circumstances and I going to be eating raw tofu and a cup of parsley on a regular basis, and I have been vegetarian for years.
Added to that, he is pushing a supplement called Emerge at me that is basically a diet supplement that contains an appetite suppressant, an undisclosed amount of caffeine, and synephrine, which is associated with ephedra-like side effects. Exactly what I don't want when I am cleaning up my food choices and really exercising to lose weight and get fit in a way that represents a sustainable lifestyle change. I know that when someone comes in and tries to tweak what you eat and how you exercise, it can evoke resistance, and I don't want to sabotage myself by resisting the changes I need to make to get fit and back to a comfortable weight. On the other hand, I have this feeling that what he is suggesting is really aimed at very fast, potentially unhealthy weight loss, because that is the product he is selling.
So I am wondering if my fellow weight-loss adventurers can tell me, am I just being resistant to change because I don't want to feel hungry all the time? Is 1200 reasonable when MyFitnessPal is estimating that I am burning 3000 calories? Help me, Obiwan Kenobis. You're my only hope!
If I were you I would do some light research into why HIS way sucks, and YOUR way is working. Print that off and show him how unhealthy his way is. If you eat like that, you will gain it all back when you start eating "normally" again. Sounds to me like you know your body better and just needed heavier weights... screw the trainer, lift with a friend or on your own ;-)0 -
WOW... Somebody needs a new trainer.0
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Someone doesn't understand what "it's a lifestyle change" means. It's meant to indicate that instead of a short-term drastic change in your food intake, you do things that are intended to be permanent. But people like that trainer seem to think of it as just a slogan to sell their ... diet plan.
Realistically, who is going to live forever on raw tofu and parsley? Is that a sustainable lifestyle change in the modern world, for people with workplaces and families and traditions and festivals? Probably not.0 -
Abort! Abort! Danger Will Robinson!0
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Go with your instincts
I am hoping he is a good trainer (with the weights and all) than he is with nutrition. If so, just ignore his psycho babble, and just make use of his weight training knowledge to the best of your ability
Edited to add: Or, get another trainer 0 -
He's broken your trust--believe in your gut feelings, your body is telling you something about this guy isn't right. Find another trainer who you, and your body, feel comfortable with.0
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In all honesty, I would request a different trainer. You are paying for the service, either directly or through your gym membership. Don't be afraid to ask for a switch. And tell them you want someone who will specifically train you on weights.
I would almost be tempted also to report him for trying to push product on you, unless your gym is ok with that. Hopefully not.0 -
Wow. I'd demand a refund. What a schmuck pushing that.0
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Wow - so many great replies. I see that I have found the right community.
This is a huge help - I didn't sleep all night because I was going back and forth in my mind about this. I am going to let him train me in weights, take his meal plans, smile and then eat what I have been eating.
Reading your responses made me remember the back story he gave me when I signed up for the gym membership (he is the owner!). He had weighed over 400 pounds, then lost it and gotten to a healthy weight. Then gained it all back plus some. Then lost it again, and now he is up to almost 300 pounds again. Clearly he doesn't have a handle on what works for weight loss. I guess this should have been a no-brainer for me, but everyone's feedback really was the support I needed to keep following my path.0 -
You couldn't pay me to do that.0
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Thanks! I am going to Google that right now.0
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Your plan sounds right, his sounds wrong.
I have dropped from 250ish to about 198lbs by myself and its taken me 12-18 months, and the last 4 months I have been heavy lifting and I am SO HAPPY with my progress. It has happened slowly but I know now that it is not going to shoot back up 30lbs as soon as I stop counting calories.
I would ditch that trainer for another one, one who has no influence on your diet and just looks at your exercise.
(Oh and I eat about 1650-2000 cals a day for my steady loss)0 -
I detest trainers that try to emphasize certain diets and supplements as the "way" to lose. Ditch the plan. And always inquire why since it's your money.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I may try this mix and see how it works. Thanks for the tip!0
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Yeah no good, he is not looking out for you but himself and also pushing products, that's a red flag.
TRUST your INSTINCTS. trust your Gut.0 -
This made me laugh so hard, I am pretty sure it was an bonus 20 calories burned (AND coffee nearly shot out my nose.)0
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Wow - so many great replies. I see that I have found the right community.
This is a huge help - I didn't sleep all night because I was going back and forth in my mind about this. I am going to let him train me in weights, take his meal plans, smile and then eat what I have been eating.
Then, when it all works out for you and he tries to take the credit, smile politely, thank him, and then shove your meal plan and how you did it down his throat. (I'm in a "mood" today....) 0
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