New To This..Have some venting to do

kac52b

Hi there! New to the board and also trying to get in shape to look fab (or just fit in lol) that dress. I've just recently started the process because my dress fittings start at the end of December. So far I'm more than a little discouraged...I joined a local gym and decided to give personal training a try (i got 2 sessions free for just joining the gym). I've been at it for 2 weeks and, to me, something doesn't seem right about what the trainer is having me do. To date: I've done no cardio (well stuff I would consider cardio like treadmill, elliptical, etc), we work out 3 days a week for an hour at a time, he told me low-fat is a bunch of crap and just cut out junk. Our workouts usually leave me tired and wanting to pass out so I would call them intense but they're all over the map. But it's always interval training. For example, Saturday afternoon he had me do squats with 10 lb weights for 2 minutes, then move to jumping up in the air and slamming an 8lb medicine ball down, to sprinting as hard as I could for 30 seconds on the treadmill, then repeat everything for 30 minutes. Then for the other 30 minutes, he had me do planks, 'wall' push-ups, what I call 'knee dips', and assisted pull-ups. I was exhausted at the end. He told me I shouldn't be tired and that I wasn't 'carb-ing' up enough before the workouts.I haven't lost an inch or a pound. I'm eating good, keeping track of portions, still eating low-fat, low-calorie. I'm not about to 'carb up' like a football player. I'm about to ditch this guy and go it alone because right now all I'm seeing leaving me is my money. When my friend and I used to workout in college, we would do 45 minutes on the elliptical 4-5 days a week, eating healthy and within two weeks, our jeans would fit looser. What I'm doing now seems to be more intense than that but nothing is coming off! Grrrrr! Very frustrated!What do you guys think? Keep the gym membership and ditch the trainer? Or give him another week?

msmoore80

I'd say if you don't like this guys style then you should ditch him! You should pay for someone you actually like to work with and trust with your health. I'm not a professional but it sounds to me like you're doing more strength training than weight loss activities. Did you discuss a plan for weight loss with him before you started? Maybe he is unsure of your goals?

lmark7786

I would ditch the trainer for a while but keep the gym membership. Try it your way (although strength training is also important - think about adding it in 2 or 3 days a week?) and see what happens.

Nebb

I honestly think that sounds like a great work out - you are doing high intensity circuits, and that is good for your body and metabolism. Keeps it on its toes! If you want more cardio, I suggest going into the gym early and getting some cardio in before that but you will benefit greatly by doing an all over work out like he is providing you. It is similar to something my trainer has me do.You need to make sure you are eating a balanced diet. Low fat, isnt all its cracked up to be. Your body NEEDS fat to function, its just a matter of choosing foods with good fat. Your body also does need carbs, so dont cut those out either. You need a diet higher in protein if you are doing a routine like this - you will feel way better after the work out if you have a protein drink or something, and your muscles will thank you.You have only been at this for 2 weeks... you wont see lots of progress in that time. Keep at it, try discussing your concerns with him, and be patient. He is helping you build muscle mass which you will benefit more than just shedding the fat alone. Please just be patient.

sohappyforthem369

The way you describe the situation sounds as if  you don't like the trainer and for that reason I"d choose another trainer.Good luck to you. One day at a time.

beeftip

I agree with Nebb- that actually sounds like a really good plan for weight loss and he is right about the diet. But then again, if you dont mesh with your trainer for whatever reason, you should find one you are a better fit with.

chicagochocolate

Is it possible he expects you to do additional cardio on the days you don't meet with him? Sounds like he has a crappy attitude- I don't know why he would expect you to not be tired after that, carbs or no carbs. I'm tried just reading about it.

brynhild

I think you should have an open conversation (calm, respectful, all that jazz) about this. It's supposed to be team work in my opinion or you might as well do it on your own. Are you asking questions? Is he being informative? If the chemistry doesn't work, there's nothing wrong with switching, but I'd start with a talk first - he might have some plan that he for some reason hasn't been able to put words on. If that talk changes things into a more constructive direction (you feel like you're on the same page then), turns out you already have what you need, a supportive trainer. If not, there's no harm done; you learned what type of person you don't like working with. Gym membership and trainer are two different things, so I'd try with another one before just walking out.

kac52b

He knows my goal: lose an inch around my chest and waist is the main goal and my secondary goal is lose 15 pounds and tone up in the process. We established that before we started. But beyond a food log, he has offered (or given) no help diet-wise. I used to belong to Weight Watchers so I'm incorporating things I learned there into a self-made diet. Lean protein, portion control, good carbs and low(er)-fat items like 2% or skim milk. I hate dairy products beyond cheese and ice cream so getting that in is difficult  I've read up on the interval training and a lot of people use it, and it seems to work for the people. I guess it's just new to me and maybe that's why it seems so foreign. I think part of the problem is that he seems to think I'm much more coordinated and in shape than I really am. I expect to be a little tired and sweaty when I get done with a workout but not to the point of about to throw up. I'm just trying to get in shape, not compete in the next Ironman lol. I talked to him last night about taking the intensity down a notch so we'll see what happens thursday night!I was dealt a small blow last night: I joined the gym with my younger sister, who was all gung-ho to lose 20 or so pounds she's gained since going to college. We paid the extra money and got a joint membership so we could go together. She has yet to show up once and informed me last night she doesn't want the membership anymore. So now I'm trying to convince my FI to take her portion because I'm not going to be able to afford it if he doesn't. I think the Wedding Weight Loss deck is stacked against me lol.

brynhild

Oh man, that sucks! With your sister I mean. Try a friend too if FI isn't up for it! GL.

kac52b

I have a friend that I would like to ask but how do you ask a girl (who is pretty moody) that just had a baby in June if they want to start going to the gym with you, without insinuating that they need to lose weight? She's pretty touchy about some things and I don't want to tick her off, but I think she would have fun, especially if I end up dropping the trainer. I guess I look at it as a break from the baby for the day but she may not see it like that. **Side note: I'm trying out this Spark People thing I keep hearing about. Anything I need to know or try out? I'd never heard of this before I started talking to all of you!

brynhild

No matter what you choose to say, you should start from yourself; it would make you very happy to have her there, she'd be a great support to you and you'd love some time for just the two of you. If you explain your situation with the PT, it would be clear to her that it's about you, not her (so to speak). I can imagine she might be relieved on some levels to have an excuse for getting out of the house when she knows someone reliable takes care of her child.

kristenmpatrick

I'm a part time fitness instructor and I think the workout he has you doing seems right on track. Interval training has been shown to burn more fat than just pain cardio. However, I think you should incorporate some cardio on the days you don't see him, as well as some weight training. Your probably building muscle which is why you haven't seen a change. In the end, you will see your clothes getting looser. Although if you aren't meshing well with him, I would try to get another trainer. You need someone who will motivate you. As for carbing up before....you don't need to do that. You should have a light snack like a protein shake or bananna to give you a little energy before.  Hope that helps