Hello, I am sorry I have been MIA, but between some financial problems, work problems, and trying to workout at the gym I have been wearing very thin.

So I decided to hire a trainer. When I interviewed my trainer she was very nice, has more certifications that I even knew existed in sports medicine and rehabilitation, young, pretty, and very supportive. She was also very familiar with gastric surgeries and espeically the lap band. So in all of my wisdom not having worked out in years I have hired her for the next three months. Well the first two session were good, she was firm but somewhat forgiving. Now she is like a five foot tall termainator that I am scared too death of! I think I would perfer Marine boot camp! She loves to switch things up, promises me we are only going to do 10 reps, then when I get to 10 she spouts as only a drill instructor can "give me 5 more", and if I even so much as groan then it is "now its 10 more". When I am on cardio, she loves to push buttons, there are times I think I am going so fast I must be powering the whole gym! When it is time to work the AB's she tries to fold me up like a piece of oragami. By the end of each workout I feel like I need "the paddles". When I am totaly finished she smiles at me, and becomes that sweet little trianer I hired and tells me "good job, but I was easy on you today, next time I am going to have to beat the shit out of you"! GULP! What did I do? Now on the positive side, I can now run on the tread mill for an hour, do the eliptical for about an hour, and the cross trainer for fourty five minutes. I am starting to tone up, and I think my keg has collapsed. The down side to all of this is that I am losing size in my stomach, legs, face and neck, but I am holding steady on weight. I guess I will show up for my next training session, but if I totally disappear beware of the 5'0" trainer from hell, do not let her appearnce fool you!

Biker

Hi Biker,

Remember trainers work for you. Most of them seem to be seem to be on the two extremes either apathetic or psycho drill sergeants. I have never really found one that is very balanced. That being said, you need to tell them what your goals are and how you would like to meet them. Most of these folks have formula work out they put people through and one size does not fit all. Second, they do pick obscure changes to show their value and push you, however, remember which way the cash is flowing. Many trainers have an over inflated sense of their purpose in life. So here is what I would suggest:

1. Tell them what is bothering you, sliding scale workout sets don’t help motivate you

2. Set up your own terms and goals for the program

3. Remind her it is her to help you not discourage you

4. Be honest about the help you need, and set a more measured pace

5. Tell her that you need to pick a routine so you can measure and track your efforts and results

6. Pick a time 6 weeks out to change the routine and then stick with that for a while

7. Assuming you are going more than once a week, let here pick the random work out day every week or every other week.