My Weight-Loss Fail - Why a Personal Trainer Didn't Work
There have been two times in my life where I was so desperate to be thin I spent thousands (yes thousands) on a personal trainer.
I walked around the gym looking for the most ripped up guy and said "I want him!"
And here's the thing.
After $6,000 I didn't really look any different.
I worked out like I was supposed to and all the trainers marveled at how much stronger I became. and I WAS stronger. But I didn't pay $6,000 and haul all my cookies to the gym 3x a week at 7am because I wanted to be able to benchpress 60lbs.
I wanted to look HOT in a bikini. I'm not ashamed to admit it.
My things weren't smaller. I still had rolls in my midsection. WTH?
One trainer convinced me I needed to do "carb cycling" which was thorny as a vegan, but I did it. No change.
Eventually I couldn't justify the expense any longer. I was spending more on personal trainers than my car payment. Or my rent. I had a second job just to pay for this indulgence!
I resented myself, and my fat for not budging.
And why was I so vain?
It all felt so hopeless.
I kept beating myself up.
That's when I cancelled my gym membership, cancelled the personal trainer, and bought a big bag of kale.
When the weight started coming off, at first I thought I was just losing muscle from not working out, but so much of it was coming off, and in all the right places, that, frankly, I didn't care! I was getting the results I wanted.
I also felt a lot better (low carb is for the birds!). I started eating tons of potatoes, and felt happily satisfied, even though my ex-trainer would have died.
About a month later I ran into the check-in clerk from the gym and he said "Daaamn girl! you look so good! [Name] has really been working you out! What time are you comin' in honey? Haven't seen you in the mornings!"
I didn't have the heart to say "Actually I quit the gym. And the trainer. I've just been eating a lot of potatoes and kale!"
I just smiled, hugged him and carried on with my shopping.
Of course I didn't learn my lesson the first time, or the second. It took years for all this to sink in... including me gaining and losing the same 10lbs for years.
But what I know now is that very truth from some many years ago. It has always been about my diet. What I was eating has always mattered more than anything. and I've seen that with hundreds of clients.
Exercise can be good for toning after loss, and keeping your mental health + joints healthy, but when it comes to losing weight, for me, and the vast majority of my clients, the secret has always been *what* goes in the mouth.
In December 2012, I started strictly following meal plans. No more half-ing it, or kinda sorta doing it, or doing it when I felt like it. I just made the commitment and amazingly, it's the first time I've ever maintained my weight so consistently... and more importantly, I feel awesome. I feel amazing. And I'll never spend $6,000 on a personal trainer again. But I will eat my potatoes!