Shamed for CICO method at the gym

HI Guys, at a computer now so I can share the whole story.

Just joined a new gym (pretty standard set up box gym). I have been using the elliptical to get in some low-impact cardio. Here's what happened.

I was intercepted by a personal trainer that works for the gym. He's the guy who gives each member a free training session when they join.

I was done with a workout and he pulled me aside to offer the free training. I thought "cool." He said he had seen me doing the elliptical for the past day and that it was pretty standard ::especially for women:: to b-line for cardio like the treadmill/elliptical.

I listened to him for a minute then interjected that I am an ex cross-fitter (3 years), did orange theory, did bbg and other body weight movements. I told him that I had a low back strain and that I was simply doing light cardio because it was something that i could sustain when my body is injured. I told him I prefer body weight, circuit training.

He asked me what my goals were. I said weight loss. I said I was counting my calories and doing cardio at the moment. He gave me that look like "girl that doesn't work" and said that CICO doesn't work (or it does at first) but it is not the real key to weightloss. Then he went on a soap box speech of whatever he thought worked. I didn't really push the topic but like I said, CICO has worked really well for me and has kept the weight off (unlike so many fad diets I've done like keto or paleo).

I know its not that big of a deal what he said and he was just trying to be helpful. In fact I used to be in his camp thinking CICO was useless/ineffective.

During and after I did feel bad about myself and that I was doing something wrong -- EVEN THOUGH I KNOW IM NOT. I guess its the first real time I've been on the receiving end of criticism of a type of exercise or weightloss.

Obviously do what works for you! to each their own