Hello! Just joined... (personal trainer)

Think my issue is nutrition rather than anything medical, but I get myself in a knot about these things as I have some anxiety issues, and I am very stressed at the moment. The exercise generally helps so I try to keep it going. I am a picky vegetarian which I know is bad - I eat lots of fruit and veg, but don't like nuts. I have been doing the same kind of exercise - HIIT, and some strength for a couple of years. I work hard, and generally enjoy it, but I swear its getting harder! I feel so so tired at the moment, and rather than feeling energised by the workout I feel shaky and dizzy. Trying to drink more water - not always getting enough.

I would start with the number of calories you are getting. Are you fueling your activity?

Thanks for the responses. I eat enough calories for general day, I think. I don't always fuel my activity. Having a toddler i have to book childcare, and a generally run out of the house last minute before class starts, and do well if I remember to take some water and and gym card!

I worry about protein powders - aren't they lots of calories? Actually I worry too much - thats part of the problem!

You make the protein powder calories fit into your day just like anything else.

Hi Verner,
great to have you here on the forum.

And since your offering help, grins, just a little question.

I have nerve damage in my arms/hands/feet and back, so my mobility is limited.

I'm ok on the food side, got that well in hand, could you recommend any types of exercises or equipment that would be helpful to tone up tummy and thighs as i try to loose the extra weight.?

Big thanks in advance.

I'm based in england uk

Leslie, if you're still around, I'll add my 2¢, though it's probably worth way less than 2¢. I have some experience with nerve damage from a car accident. I tried lifting for the longest time, and I LOVED squats (Okay, I actually hated them, but I absolutely loved how they made my rear end look, lol.) But,ultimately, I had to give up lifting, because it was really hard on the knee and elbow that were damaged in the accident. I did a lot of research about low-impact resistance exercise, and I finally settled on Callanetics. I don't know if you've ever heard of it, but it was developed by the late Callan Pickney, a former ballerina, to be a low impact way to tone your body. I find that it works really well at toning my bottom, thighs, and stomach. I do 20 minutes each day from the Quick Callanetics DVD -- Stomach, Hips and Behind, or Legs -- and also 45 minutes of walking for cardio. You can do swimming for your cardio, and Callanetics or maybe Pilates or Yoga for resistance?

Here's a quick clip of Callanetics, to show you a bit of what it's like. Excuse the hair. Pickney did this video in the early '80's, lol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_25kyb7BfVM

Would love to have an enthusiastic, optimistic friend like you. Encouragement is always nice to have! Glad to see personal trainers leading clients to MFP. I think it's a great site.

pressumably your offering this for free then? otherwise i don't think your technically allowed to advertize in the forum