Nutritionist or Trainer?
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I think that I agree with most on here. A certified Trainer that makes you comfortable in the gym will pay dividends in the future.
I feel that the nutrition side, while simply put "eat less than you burn" may take a number of different specialities to solve.
Have you looked in to a Healthy Eating course, maybe at a local community college or night school. If you know you need to eat healthy, but dont know what to cook or how to prepare this might be a better option.
If it is eating "habits" a nutritionalist is not really going to help, you may need to go down the Psychology route.
If you need a plan to follow rigidly then a dietician recommended by your doctor
As with all professions look for certifictaions and recommendations, lots of quacks out there that give the good ones a bad name.0 -
What was wrong with the responses in the thread you started yesterday?
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10020725/nutritionist-or-trainer
Nothing was wrong with it...I realized after I posted it that I put it in the "Introduce yourself" section and I didnt mean to...I meant to put it here because I thought it would get more response here..and I was right.
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jenniferschaeffer wrote: »What do you struggle with? Do you flounder in the kitchen or in the gym? I spent my money on krav maga (martial arts) classes because I know how to cook/eat in a healthy way that I enjoy, I have figured out my form for lifting, but I would have a very hard time motivating myself for a high intensity workout. The self defense and comradery is the cherry on top.
Id say both probably. I grew up in the south and learned to cook southern style using lots of butter and sugar, etc. I know what things I SHOULD be eating, but I was never introduced to them and would say I'm pretty picky and don't really like them. I have no idea how to cook healthy and make it taste good...and lets face it, if it doesn't taste good I wont eat it. I dont even know if that's something a nutritionist can help with.
In the gym, I'm very intimidated. I don't know what to do, I'm embarrassed to walk in front of everyone to get to the weights which is what I really want to do. Most people there are in incredible shape and I feel judged there. In the classes that the gym offers, I feel completely behind because I'm starting in the middle of what looks like everyones 10 thousandth time being there. I end up hiding in the raquetball court and doing that for a little bit and then leaving.
AHH!
So many points here. Where to start.... I'll start with: you want to do weights. WOOT! Ok, I suggest that you look into StrongLifts5x5. There are other great programs, but with this one, you only need to learn how to do 5 lifts properly, and its one of (if not THE) best beginner weight training programs. The program and the app are both free. Look at Ripptoe's form videos on YouTube. Find a personal trainer who is willing to do one or two sessions with you and show you those lifts and those lifts only. Some trainers will not show a woman freeweights and try to talk them into bosu balls and Jillian Michaels DVDs. Make sure that they know what they are talking about. Hopefully this help with your confidence.
As for confidence: No one is specifically watching you in the gym. And even if someone was, who cares? You're young and cute and about to become a badass. Let 'em watch.
Ok, food next. Set your goals here: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
Now, do you have problems meeting your macro or calorie goals with the food you eat? Are you satisfied? If so, don't worry about some things being labeled "healthy" or "unhealthy". 35-40% of my calories have come from fat for years and my blood work is amazing. I also aim for at least 110g of protein a day which is aprox 1g/lb of LBM (lean body mass). Less fat or less protein makes me less satisfied and unable to meet a reasonable calorie goal when I'm cutting. YMMV.
If you are close, but not quite there, then look up easy substitutions and take baby steps. Try a new vegetable every week. Look at ways to cook them that you enjoy. For example steamed broccoli is gross IMO, but charred with a bit of chipotle dry seasoning and YUM! Try adding an extra piece of fruit to your cart at the grocery store, add a post workout protein shake, look at recipes on this site and try what looks good etc.
If you have absolutely no idea where to start and/or your cals/macros are WAY off, then consider a nutritionist. I've never been to one, but I would expect that it would be difficult for them to give you a book of recipes that have exactly the things that you like but better. They'll have ideas for substitutions and recipes, but it won't be simple or easy.
Well, that was longer than I expected. Good luck!
I dont even know what Macros are! lol I usually can keep my calorie intake at goal, but then everything else is out of wack..like the sodium or the fats...I can't seem to get it all under goal.
Thanks for the advice..really appreciate it!
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Registered Dietitian over a Nutritionist! (Nutritionists are educated approx 18 mos - 2 years while Reg. Dietitian's spend 4 years studying food). I wouldn't go without a trainer either since I have no clue what I would do in a gym type setting.0
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Neither. I have enough people in my life picking at what/how I eat and workout for free.0
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Neither, both are vultures. If it was a do or die scenario, probably a nutritionist.. IF they were really qualified.. (not this 1 year certificate crap)0
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I know enough about nutrition that I don't need guidance there, really. But I had a PT for a few months (met only twice a month) and it was awesome. Of course, it has to be someone who actually knows what he or she is doing and talking about ...jenniferschaeffer wrote: »If you were able to hire someone to help you through your process, would it be more important to you to have a nutritionist or a personal trainer for the gym?
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Nutritionist, not everyone is the same so the diet best for you would probably be easiest found by a nutritionist. Personal training would be good to learn lifts properly which will pay dividends in the future, but abs are made in the kitchen.0
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I've seen both in my life and neither of them really helped me. The nutritionist asked me to follow his restrictive plan, which really didn't work long term, and the personal trainer was telling me to use machines, so... yeah, better save the money.0
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Or find people competent in their chosen professions.I've seen both in my life and neither of them really helped me. The nutritionist asked me to follow his restrictive plan, which really didn't work long term, and the personal trainer was telling me to use machines, so... yeah, better save the money.
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Or find people competent in their chosen professions.I've seen both in my life and neither of them really helped me. The nutritionist asked me to follow his restrictive plan, which really didn't work long term, and the personal trainer was telling me to use machines, so... yeah, better save the money.
Agreed, easier said than done though!
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jenniferschaeffer wrote: »I_Will_End_You wrote: »Trainer. You don't need to pay someone to tell you to eat less than you burn.
I obviously know to eat less, but its what to eat, how often, how to cook it, and the things that I think are healthy probably aren't the best. I could eat just a cheeseburger a day and be "eating less" but not healthy... there's so many fad foods and things that supposedly are healthy but have so many things in them that are bad for you...I just dont know what those things are or what to look for.
Do some research on macros, how much protein, fat and carbs you should be getting. You can eat as often or seldom as you like, as long as you're getting the right amount of calories and nutrition. 3 meals a day, 6 meals a day, 1 meal a day...whatever you prefer. Read labels. Look up recipes. Fad foods are just that....fads. There aren't special foods you should or should not eat. Eat what you like, try to balance your macros, and stay in a deficit. Don't make it more complicated than it is.0 -
I_Will_End_You wrote: »jenniferschaeffer wrote: »I_Will_End_You wrote: »Trainer. You don't need to pay someone to tell you to eat less than you burn.
I obviously know to eat less, but its what to eat, how often, how to cook it, and the things that I think are healthy probably aren't the best. I could eat just a cheeseburger a day and be "eating less" but not healthy... there's so many fad foods and things that supposedly are healthy but have so many things in them that are bad for you...I just dont know what those things are or what to look for.
Do some research on macros, how much protein, fat and carbs you should be getting. You can eat as often or seldom as you like, as long as you're getting the right amount of calories and nutrition. 3 meals a day, 6 meals a day, 1 meal a day...whatever you prefer. Read labels. Look up recipes. Fad foods are just that....fads. There aren't special foods you should or should not eat. Eat what you like, try to balance your macros, and stay in a deficit. Don't make it more complicated than it is.
Will do! Thanks!
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Dietician!
I could've paid a trainer, but I don't. If I didn't know how little you can know and still be a trainer, I might've. But I do know that...and find it frightening that people take health advice from anyone who is a trainer. Yikes. They're fine for organizing workouts, but that is pretty much all they're qualified to do.
I did pay a dietician. Big help for me! But I had a special diet and many questions. Still, some pop up.
Given the choice, I'd take the person qualified to give advice every time.
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A good trainer will be able to guide you with your nutrition. I saw a nutritionist a few years back and when I look back, I cannot believe she never mentioned calories.0
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I think this is a bit uneven and unfair to the poor old nutritionist.
Should be chef/ nutritionist v personal trainer v psychologist0 -
Started with the nutritionist to help with our food choices and then moved on to the trainer. Couldn't afford both at the same time.0
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I might consult a dietician, which is entirely different from a nutritionist. A nutritionist does not need any credentials to call themselves that. A dietician is certified and trained.
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"I obviously know to eat less, but its what to eat, how often, how to cook it, and the things that I think are healthy probably aren't the best..."
I am at this point. I use the diary to log what I eat and can manage my calorie budget (mostly) but what I need help with is balancing carbs/fats/proteins.
I would like to be able to download my MFP record of what I have eaten over past months and take it to a nutritionist for advice in reaching that balance. My reasoning is that my diary contains a record of what I like to eat which should give the nutritionist a starting point from which to adjust.
Does anyone have an idea as to how to download the record (diary)?
Thanks...j
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Trainer has more practical value.
Por que no los dos? Trainers and RDs are not expensive to hire.0 -
Well that depends on what you struggle with the most. Personally, I know the basics of good nutrition and I don't need someone to sell me on their own personal ideas of what a healthy diet is. But I don't have the slightest clue how to navigate my way through the weight room of a gym… so I would go the trainer route. But that's just me… others may have different needs.But to be honest... I wouldn't actually go with a personal trainer either. The free trainers available at most gyms work great for me. They help me design a workout and show me proper form… then leave me alone to do the work. In the end, its up to me to push myself and its me I have to answer to. Which is exactly how I like it and what works best for me.0
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