Tales of a (Recovering) Disordered Eater

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• 1. Even “Know-it-Alls” N&hellip  |  February 12, 2009 at 7:23 am

  [...] here:  Even “Know-it-Alls” Need Refreshers « Tales of a (Recovering … Share and [...]

• 2. Holly  |  February 12, 2009 at 8:51 am

  You know, I’ve thought about this a lot lately. I have a tendency to be cardio girl, too, and I don’t want to get stuck in that routine again! I’ve been trying to incorporate weights more and have noticed a definite difference in doing so, it’s just hard because I definitely don’t enjoy strength training as much.

  I’ve never personally used a trainer but have ALWAYS wanted to! I’ve worked with some friends who are trainers, though, and it’s amazing all of the exercises out there that I had no clue even existed. I’m anxious to see how your first meeting with the trainer goes!

• 3. lissa10279  |  February 12, 2009 at 10:21 am

  Exactly, so I hope I can get a training session with her lined up soon, hopefully next week!!!

• 4. Leila  |  February 12, 2009 at 10:28 am

  It’s a great opportunity. You have the resources through your work why not? Plus, no matter what, you’re guaranteed to learn at least one new thing from the experience.

  But don’t forget, be demanding with your trainer. Be clear and specific of your expectations and make sure she respects them. Unfortunately I’ve seen one too many trainers take advantage of their clients. You might want to ensure you have a good cancellation policy or pre-interview your trainer.

  Good luck!

• 5. Dori  |  February 12, 2009 at 10:35 am

  I’m just like you - I know how important weight training is, but I only do cardio despite that. And of course the mindset “cardio burns more calories” blah blah blah is hard to snap out of. I think your decision to get a trainer is great. I had 2 sessions for free when I joined my gym, but I didn’t like it for a few reasons:

  1. It was a guy, and I know I would have been more comfortable with a woman
  2. He told me I needed to lose 10 lbs (even though I am not at my ideal weight, I am in NO way overweight at all - in fact, I am still considered slightly underweight)
  3. He had me do the rowing machine for much longer than I cared to - it was not the way I wanted to work out. I wanted to learn weight exercises and machines and all and I felt like he wasn’t listening to me
  4. He wouldn’t show me the best settings for the spin bike for me when I asked him to as a favor
  5. I didn’t feel great after leaving. When I have a really fantastic workout (like when I spin) I feel AWESOME when I am done, knowing I did something good for myself.

  I do think it is important to leave your comfort zone and do new exercises, but for me, lots and lots of rowing was just not what I personally wanted from my workout, so it is important to be vocal and speak up with your trainer.

  I think you will have a great experience with yours! My boyfriend uses a trainer who is also a professional dancer and he gets his butt kicked every time! It’s great to have someone to push you to your limit.

  Good luck! I am excited to hear how it goes!

• 6. lissa10279  |  February 12, 2009 at 10:39 am

  Thanks so much for the advice, Holly and Dori, about making sure to get what I want/need from it and to be vocal. Have no fear; I rarely hold back these days! I am going to go into it as open-minded as I can. But like you, the rowing machine is not where I see myself

• 7. auntie  |  February 12, 2009 at 11:14 am

  the only time i ever spent with a personal trainer was the “free” consultations i got when i joined a gym a few years ago, but it was a really positive experience. i’m glad i took advantage of that service, because he was able to give me a place to start - both with weights and cardio - and he also gave me goals to work towards, and educated me about how i could adjust my routines depending on the results i was after.

  this sounds like it will be a great boost for you - even as much as you know about being healthy, i’m sure there are things that those “in the industry” hear about or learn about long before the rest of us that could help you. good luck!

• 8. lissa10279  |  February 12, 2009 at 11:15 am

  Auntie, that’s exactly it, I have more to learn. I might know how to lift and have that edge … but I’m not DOING it anymore, and need the push — hope this helps!

• 9. Danielle  |  February 12, 2009 at 12:10 pm

  I’ve never had a personal trainer but it’s more about being unconfident than being overly so. I guess I feel like I’m not good enough… which is ridiculous because everyone’s got more to learn, haha. Good luck, let us know how it goes!

• 10. lara  |  February 12, 2009 at 12:14 pm

  Having a trainer was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I had one 3x/week for a few months. I had lifted weights prior to that but did what many women do–lower weight and higher reps because that is what you do to “tone” and not bulk. Well, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. So even if you think you know what you are doing in the gym you still might have plenty of room to learn. More lifting and less cardio gave me the best results I have ever gotten in my life. You have to forget about the darn HRM and “calories burned” when it comes to working out. That is actually the least important things in terms of improving your body. Worry about calories burned for the 23 hours of day you are not working out by eating well and moving more (non-exercise activity) that is what counts when it comes to losing weight. Not the calories burned during the workout (which HRM overstimate quite a bit) This has been a new mindset for me the last year and my only regret is that I didn’t learn it sooner!

• 11. lissa10279  |  February 12, 2009 at 12:29 pm

  Danielle, you should totally go for it!!

  Lara that’s totally it — I am sure I have plenty to learn. Even knowing what I know, there’s always someone who knows more. And if I can benefit from it — SCORE!

  I think I’ve used my HRM as a gauge but you’re right, it’s what we do the other 23 hrs of the day that matter too. I didn’t realize HRMs over-estimate; I’ve heard they’re pretty spot-on. (But they don’t take into account the calories you would have burned just sitting around anyway — if it says “500″ in an hour, you would have maybe burned 60 sitting doing nothing) but I do like the idea of focusing more on the other 23 hrs and that’s kind of the mentality I had when pissed off in the Detroit airport — I walked for 90 min just because. Killed my feet (wearing boots with heels) but still!

• 12. lara  |  February 12, 2009 at 1:39 pm

  It is more than just the difference between the calories you would burn at rest. The calorie burned estimate is based on heart rate which is not such an accurate measure of calories burned. My heart rate can go up high if I am startled. Some medications can make HR higher, some people have higher heart rates naturally etc but that doesn’t mean you are burning more calories. Then on top of that the HRM is plugging the heart rate data into a metabolic formula that is just that, a formula that may or may not apply to you.

• 13. lissa10279  |  February 12, 2009 at 2:38 pm

  Good points, Lara.

• 14. Baylee  |  February 12, 2009 at 7:59 pm

  I’m a first time reader…but I have also had extensive experience with eating disorders, and still struggle with one.

  Although I am a little younger than you are - it sounds like we’re both kind of experiencing the same thing. I know EXACTLY what i need to eat to keep my happy and feeling good..and I know I that I would probably be completely satisfied doing the 4-5 miles of cardio and a little bit of lifting for tone that i started out with when I first made myself go to the gym…but instead, I ALWAYS push myself way too hard..so instead, I’m doing 15-20 miles of cardio and I do almost every weight machine and push myself to increase the weights every week.

  I LOVE being at the gym. I love the feeling of walking in there with no motivation to exercise, and walking out feeling like you can do anything after a good workout. BUT..it would be nice to not have to go to that extent every day. If i miss one day, I feel like absolute crap. I wish I coudl find something that isnt quite so time consuming, but still benefits me and makes me feel just as good.

  I really hope that the trainer will help to give you the tools you need to get back in the groove! And I think that its awesome that your employer does that for you guys!!

• 15. lissa10279  |  February 12, 2009 at 9:50 pm

  Hi Baylee and thanks for writing!! We will get through this … and it gets too hard over the years to keep that “discipline” up — actually, who am I kidding — it’s beyond discipline; it’s obsession and it’s scary.

  I have a tentative date with her for next Tues. morning — she is calling me tomorrow to confirm. And she didn’t ask if weight loss was what I sought — whew! Though I did admit it was.

• 16. bleachusd  |  February 12, 2009 at 9:53 pm

  I’ve never used a personal trainer, but I have a few friends that *are* personal trainers and one that works for NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). There are a lot of programs and certificates out there. Trainers can get their certification at any of these different ones, but from everyone I’ve talked to… NASM is the leading one. It’s a very difficult program and highly reputable.

  So, my only advice would be to check her creds before you begin training with her. Listen to the things she says and asks (such as, does she ask about prior injuries, etc).

  Good luck!

• 17. run4change  |  February 13, 2009 at 11:15 am

  I have used personal trainer in the past and it seemed to help, but of couse I always gained it back. Now as you know I use WW and I also have a running coach to tailor a good running program for me. Works out wonderfully actually

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