I'm a trainer, and I'm flattered you think I know it all, bu
c2sky
Posts: 487 Member
I continue to see people post on here that they ask their trainers for nutrition counseling. But I ask you "would you go to a registered dietician for your exercise program?" Then why, oh why do you continue to say, "My trainer told me..." when it comes to your food planning????????????????????
I know, unnamed trainers and fitness instructors, who have become celebrities (I'm thinking of at least 3) all have their own books, videos, diet plans, supplements etc. So you think that we should also be able to give you just the perfect food plan, as your trainer. In some cases, books put out by trainers might have a food plan section under the direction of a dietician. But people still see the so called "trainer" as the expert. It really irks me because I know that many famous "trainers" don't have any real credentials other than they look good, lost weight themselves, or were fortunate enough to train a big name celebrity. Then they can sell anything from books to grocery items.
But any nationally accredited certification (of which I have held 3 personal trainer certs and beyond, including ACSM American College of Sports Medicine...the gold standard for the industry) all require trainers to sign a code of ethics forbidding promoting supplements or specific nutrition counseling. We can offer general guidelines, and make a few suggestions within certain guidelines, but it is very general stuff.
But folks, if your trainer does not refer you to a registered dietician, they are doing you a disservice, unless they are one themself. You would spend maybe just a little more per hour talking to a dietician. They really do know the answers to the questions I see on here all the time. Education does matter. Is education everything? Of course not, but it's vital.
The other type of questions people ask trainers are stuff that should be asked of a physical therapist.
Look, we want to help you, we really do, but we love you enough to refer you to the experts. And if your trainer gets bent out of shape because you want to see a dietician, ask them, "Well, how would you feel if I went to see the dietician for my workout program?"
I know, unnamed trainers and fitness instructors, who have become celebrities (I'm thinking of at least 3) all have their own books, videos, diet plans, supplements etc. So you think that we should also be able to give you just the perfect food plan, as your trainer. In some cases, books put out by trainers might have a food plan section under the direction of a dietician. But people still see the so called "trainer" as the expert. It really irks me because I know that many famous "trainers" don't have any real credentials other than they look good, lost weight themselves, or were fortunate enough to train a big name celebrity. Then they can sell anything from books to grocery items.
But any nationally accredited certification (of which I have held 3 personal trainer certs and beyond, including ACSM American College of Sports Medicine...the gold standard for the industry) all require trainers to sign a code of ethics forbidding promoting supplements or specific nutrition counseling. We can offer general guidelines, and make a few suggestions within certain guidelines, but it is very general stuff.
But folks, if your trainer does not refer you to a registered dietician, they are doing you a disservice, unless they are one themself. You would spend maybe just a little more per hour talking to a dietician. They really do know the answers to the questions I see on here all the time. Education does matter. Is education everything? Of course not, but it's vital.
The other type of questions people ask trainers are stuff that should be asked of a physical therapist.
Look, we want to help you, we really do, but we love you enough to refer you to the experts. And if your trainer gets bent out of shape because you want to see a dietician, ask them, "Well, how would you feel if I went to see the dietician for my workout program?"
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Replies
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Love the post! Thanks.0
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Love the post! Thanks.
You're welcome!0 -
My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it
The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.1 -
My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.
Will you really enjoy life more when you have a few beers, or when you've reached you're goal weight and are living a healthy lifestyle?0 -
Well said, and thanks.0
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Great post!0
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My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.
Will you really enjoy life more when you have a few beers, or when you've reached you're goal weight and are living a healthy lifestyle?
nothing tastes as good as lean feels0 -
My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.
I'm glad your trainer know where his limits are. Hopefully you know where your alcohol limits are. lol But seriously, a trainer should not even give you a calorie limit. They are not qualified to do that. It's different for every person. If you have a calorie limit, then your trainer might be able to give you ideas how to stay within that limit, but your trainer should not be saying, "this much protien, that much fats, this much sugars, etc. Your trainer can tell you what the national guidelines are for servings of fruits and vegetables etc. and your trainer can tell you what unhealthy foods to cut back on, or "drinks"
But that's it. That's the limit. 1 -
If my trainer told me to cut out the beer I would cut his throat!1
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Great post
I love this, and I plan to use this line here in the future!And if your trainer gets bent out of shape because you want to see a dietician, ask them, "Well, how would you feel if I went to see the dietician for my workout program?"1 -
My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.
I'm glad your trainer know where his limits are. Hopefully you know where your alcohol limits are. lol But seriously, a trainer should not even give you a calorie limit. They are not qualified to do that. It's different for every person. If you have a calorie limit, then your trainer might be able to give you ideas how to stay within that limit, but your trainer should not be saying, "this much protien, that much fats, this much sugars, etc. Your trainer can tell you what the national guidelines are for servings of fruits and vegetables etc. and your trainer can tell you what unhealthy foods to cut back on, or "drinks" But that's it. That's the limit.
I totally agree with your position but dont see that as the real world. I have seen trainers who have no business showing a dadlift and have seen some who do know whats what. But I do agree, they should not advise or at least give a disclaimer.0 -
As a trained PT i can also agree with the above post! On one of my courses we got warned that there was potential to loose your qualification or be sued if you gave out the advice of a dietition.
A dietitian does years more work than a PT to know *everything* there is to know about food, a PT is usually only limited to generic advice
A PT however will be able to help you set up a work out plan that suits you best, and incorporates your life style and mobility . They will also take into account any previous failures and be able to work around triggers or things that may stop you from wanting to exercise (ie shorter workouts more often, or at specific times), they can check up on you to make sure you are doing it right and at the right time, and harass you when you forget to do it (if you want them too of course!).0 -
My trainer told me to drink no more than 12 beers a night.2
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Good stuff. Thank you for sharing. (Honestly, I also find it kind of weird when people tout the nutrition advice of their family doctor as law. The average MD has little or no nutrition training, and, while he or she can probably give better nutritional advice than your average joe schmoe, you're still much better off talking to a nutritionist.)3
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My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.
Will you really enjoy life more when you have a few beers, or when you've reached you're goal weight and are living a healthy lifestyle?
I'd rather not choose between the two. Thankfully, we don't have to.4 -
Seeing the advice that many around here are getting, I'd be careful going to a trainer for a training program.1
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My trainer told me outright that he could not give me a diet plan or discuss a diet since he is not a state registered dietician. But, I do ask questions about what he eats and he will ask me what I ate before coming in. I am glad that we can carry on conversation like that without stepping over boundaries. I don't want to get him fired.2
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Seeing the advice that many around here are getting, I'd be careful going to a trainer for a training program.
True that. There are trainers that are training people that they have no business training. There are nutritionists that have no business doing food plans for athletes, when they have only done diets for cardiac or diabetic patients.
There are some "certifications for trainers" that are just a quick weekend test with a few weeks of reading. I do not hire those kind of trainers in my gym. And even credible certifications don't guarantee a good trainer. But it's a good start, and a degree and testing that goes with being a registered dietician is nothing to sneeze at. They understand biology in ways most of us will hope we never have to try to figure out. But first test of whether a trainer is a good trainer? Ask them for a recommendation to a good registered dietician with experience in sports nutrition. If they don't know one, they have not done their homework, and they think they know more than they do.0 -
Where is the like button????0
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Great post and comments.0
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My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.
Will you really enjoy life more when you have a few beers, or when you've reached you're goal weight and are living a healthy lifestyle?
I'd rather not choose between the two. Thankfully, we don't have to.
^^^What he said. I don't deprive myself of anything I like, I just use moderation and stay within my calorie goals for the most part. And I will reach my goal weight, I am already well on my way, but thank you for your comment 3 -
Good stuff. Thank you for sharing. (Honestly, I also find it kind of weird when people tout the nutrition advice of their family doctor as law. The average MD has little or no nutrition training, and, while he or she can probably give better nutritional advice than your average joe schmoe, you're still much better off talking to a nutritionist.)
Since I originally posted this over 5 years ago, I finished nursing school. I have now been working as a full time RN for almost 2 years. Since this post, I took a general nutrition class that was 4 days per week. I also took a separate nursing nutrition class (which was MUCH more difficult). The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know. Good dieticians can be tough to find because there is not a huge market for them (probably because everyone wants to just trust the internet or ask their trainer). Many would-be dieticians have trouble finding places to do internships. They have to go to school for 6 years. They know their stuff. I am awed by what they know. Yet still, people will believe what they read on the internet over them. I wish there was some good credible extra training for sports nutrition, that was more accessible. In the meantime, I will practice within my professional scope, and answer basic questions, all referring to an RD.
I re-visited this post today because mfp had a facebook post called "Ask a trainer", and the subject matter was nutrition. I commented about my disappointment in their chose "experts" today, and decided to bump this into the community.
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Thanks for the information! I am starting occasional sessions with a trainer soon and this is good to know going into to it.0
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My trainer doesn't even touch the nutrition subject with me.0
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Dave198lbs wrote: »My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.
Will you really enjoy life more when you have a few beers, or when you've reached you're goal weight and are living a healthy lifestyle?
nothing tastes as good as lean feels
As someone who has a current bmi of around a 20 and is lean/thin/skinny, this statement makes my eye twitch
As Jennifer Lawrence famously said-“I can think of a lot of things that taste better than skinny feels – potatoes, bread, a philly cheesesteak and fries.”
And cheesecake. Lots and lots of cheesecake
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crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »Dave198lbs wrote: »My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.
Will you really enjoy life more when you have a few beers, or when you've reached you're goal weight and are living a healthy lifestyle?
nothing tastes as good as lean feels
As someone who has a current bmi of around a 20 and is lean/thin/skinny, this statement makes my eye twitch As Jennifer Lawrence famously said-“I can think of a lot of things that taste better than skinny feels – potatoes, bread, a philly cheesesteak and fries.”
And cheesecake. Lots and lots of cheesecake
Since this was in response to a comment about beer, I can say that a couple beer will make me lean... on pretty much anything that will hold me up.
OP, I'm always curious when someone bumps an old thread as to why, so thanks for explaining. I was several responses into it when I realized it was 5 years old. I was so excited to see a trainer making this same point, which several of us do when it comes up. It baffles me when people assume trainer = expert at all things fitness, health, and diet related.4 -
crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »Dave198lbs wrote: »My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.
Will you really enjoy life more when you have a few beers, or when you've reached you're goal weight and are living a healthy lifestyle?
nothing tastes as good as lean feels
As someone who has a current bmi of around a 20 and is lean/thin/skinny, this statement makes my eye twitch As Jennifer Lawrence famously said-“I can think of a lot of things that taste better than skinny feels – potatoes, bread, a philly cheesesteak and fries.”
And cheesecake. Lots and lots of cheesecake
She said that? I need to 1) find out who she is, and 2) give her a medal.1 -
PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »crazyycatladyy1 wrote: »Dave198lbs wrote: »My trainer doesn't advocate anything other than keeping to a calorie limit. Although today he did tell me to cut out the beer, lol, since my weight loss is slow. I won't do that though because I want to enjoy my life, and if that includes beer, then I will keep drinking it The weight loss may be slow, but it's still happening ;-)
Edit to say very good post, thank you for sharing.
Will you really enjoy life more when you have a few beers, or when you've reached you're goal weight and are living a healthy lifestyle?
nothing tastes as good as lean feels
As someone who has a current bmi of around a 20 and is lean/thin/skinny, this statement makes my eye twitch As Jennifer Lawrence famously said-“I can think of a lot of things that taste better than skinny feels – potatoes, bread, a philly cheesesteak and fries.”
And cheesecake. Lots and lots of cheesecake
She said that? I need to 1) find out who she is, and 2) give her a medal.
She's like the most awesome actress ever
Her most famous role to date is probably The Hunger Games trilogy (she plays Katniss).
eta: she's kind of known for her love of food-here's some of her most famous food quotes-
https://www.phactual.com/jennifer-lawrences-obsession-with-food-in-10-quotes/0
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