Trainer's nutrition advice

[Ali W 2]

I joined a gym Jan 30th. I received 2 sessions with a trainer. 1st session was a work out session, the 2nd session was with a different trainer and he proceeded to talk to me about my diet, even after I had told him several times that I had VSG. I am 4 weeks out now and need some advice.

Currently I eat the following:

B- Protien shake - 30 g protien

L - 2oz ham and 1 mozarella stick

D - Something like 2 oz of chicken, or some refried Beans with cheese.

I am supposed to start adding some soft veggies this week.

He wants me to do this:

Breakfast - protien shake

snack - hardboiled egg

lunch - 1/2 chicken breast with spinach

Snack - 1/2 cup cottage cheese

dinner - 4 oz talapia with veggies

Snack - pudding or yogurt

Just looking at his list makes me feel sick...there is just no way to eat all that. I am confused, because my surgeon has said ABSOLUTELY no snacking.

So my question is...do I add some Snacks (much smaller than what the trainer suggested) to my current meals. He went into the schpeal about your body will burn the muscle if there is no fat in your diet. And that I would not have enough energy to do my workouts. I am so confused...I am going to the gym 4 times a week. I do 30 minutes on treadmill and then I do a few of the machines. I am there about 45 minutes in total.

Ali

[klus263 9]

I don't have an answer yet on this I have an appt with my Nut on the 28th to actually discuss this issue, I just started working out and I am burning around 400-450 calories during a workout but I can only eat around 600-700 calories a day. I can barely eat more than 1/2 cup of food at a time. So hopefully I can get some good direction in regards to this. I am following my nuts advice as she is the specialist in regards to VSG. My trainor is understanding but not well versed and she recommends that I speak them directly as they are better equipped to deal with my dietary needs. I will post back once I met with her.

[MINI-Me 196]

I'm sure the trainer has the best intentions, but you really need to follow your surgeon's plan right now. Sounds like you are about right for your meals at 4 weeks out.

What does your surgeon say about Snacks? Mine allowed 2-3 Snacks but they were Protein rich - meaning pepperoni sticks, string cheese, egg, etc.

From my understanding, the Protein is the most important right now. Protein is going to have some fat attached to it, so you'll be fine there. But, your body will burn muscle (i.e. heart ,etc) without appropriate protein intake.

[Dawn 16]

I too say listen to your surgeon and NUT not the trainer! Trainers usually aren't as well educated about WLS! My surgeon and NUT say to have Snacks and small meals but every doctor is different and has seen what works with most of their patients. I am 3 months out and I don't think I could eat all that the trainer wants!! LOL

[k8bwalsh 1]

My doc and nut both say to have Snacks - and it's all about Protein right now. It sounds like your trainer is telling you to have protein rich snacks. I would definitely follow your doctors plan, though, and go ask your doctor. It does sound like a lot of food, but that's probably b/c I just don't get hungry anymore. Nothing sounds good to me at this point (I was sleeved 3 weeks ago today, and am still on pureed foods. blah! can't wait til this phase is over!!!) Good luck!

[Susanne 32]

If you follow your NUT/surgeon, which is probably the best right now, please make sure you tell them that you work out that much and make sure they know you are not just talking. Everyone says they "work out". You can work out and barely burn 150 calories walking at 2.5mph for 30 minutes. You can also work out lifting weights for an hour and then doing 30 minutes of intense cardio. Make sure your doctor knows what you do and adjusts your calories/meal plan accordingly.

You only consume around 400 calories, and your trainer is absolutely right to say that you cannot workout on this low calorie count. His recommendation is clearly not for a fresh sleeve, but you have to find a middle ground between the person who knows your medical history and the person who knows your activities. Cross check his recommendations with your NUT and you should be good. If you cannot eat that much, tell your trainer and ask for some foods with a higher calorie density - a slice of whole grain bread with Peanut Butter and some low sugar jelly can give you a good energy boost with 200 calories and should be easy to eat.

Don't try not to eat more - it may look counter productive, but it isn't. Even if you drive your car very fuel efficient - you MUST have fuel or you don't go anywhere or strand half way down. Just when working out, you don't strand but keep going and damage your engine.

As for Snacks, I too eat Snacks. I was told 4 meals - ie. two meals, one snack, but I usually have two smallish snacks and at times, it looks more like I am having 5 meals with a little less than 200 calories for a total of 900 calories. In the end, the NUT gives you recommendations - you have to find what works for you.

Over the last 3 months since surgery, I have found that it doesn't matter too much when I eat, what I eat or how often I eat, what matters is my total calories and my workout. If I stall, I stall no matter what. If I lose again, it's just because my body is ready and not because I worked out more/less, ate more/less carbs/fat or so. I just came off a 23 day stall, and that after I ate everything "wrong" (like sushi, alcohol, snacks)

[Ali W 2]

Thank you all for your responses! I appreciate this board so much to get instant feedback! It looks like I need to call my NUT to discuss this with her.

[Stacy160 201]

You might have to look the trainer in the eye and sternly say "LOOK--I'll tell you again that I've recently had MAJOR stomach surgery and my diet is VERY strictly controlled right now to prevent life-threatening complications. It is not up for discussion at all, so let's please move on with the workout and not bring it up again." And if he insists, then find another trainer.

[M2G 1,836]

Yes, absolutely follow your surgeon's guidelines. The trainer's guide is about what I can eat (except make the 4oz down to 2oz) but I'm almost 4 months out. Also I don't do very many Protein shakes as my surgeon is absolutely against using shakes after the 6 week post-op mark.

I have to eat at least 6 times a day to get in the required Protein. Sometimes more. But there is a difference between snacking and grazing. Grazing means you are eating food all day long and not sitting down at an appropriate meal time to eat an appropriate meal. Make sure you understand your surgeon's intention when he says no snacking. There is NO WAY that I could get 65-90 grams of protein a day with 3 meals and nothing in between (an no shakes either!)

Definitely call your surgeon or NUT for advice. Although I don't think the trainer's plan is a bad post-op VSG plan but it probably is better suited to someone who is farther out from surgery. Just my 2 cents!

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

They are both good plans, but the quantity of food in the trainer's plan is just too much for you right now.

[angelantx 0]

my surgeon is very vague about what i should eat, other than just making sure i get enough Protein. when i mentioned watching my carbs, they told me not to worry about that. but...i still do. i just think i lose better with lower carbs. anyways i went to Bariatric Eating and found an awesome food diary that i follow. that is when i decided to start doing Protein rich Snacks. heres a normal day...

b-Protein shake

snack-string cheese or greek yogurt (8-10 grams protein)

Lunch- tunafish or chicken,cheese and salsa

snack-string cheese/greek yogurt or tbsp of Peanut Butter

supper-- small salad with protein or salmon

good luck

[angelantx 0]

forgot to add the food planner link:

http://www.bariatriceating.com/befoodjournal.pdf

[**LaSaJaTa** 4]

I'm 7 mos out, down 103lbs. I started working with a trainer after 3mos, so i've been training 4 mos, 2x a week, no cardio, only heigh weight, low reps. Building muscle mass. I have to say, the first trainer i worked with (once) tried to tell me the same thing. In fact, we had a huge argument about it, and needless to day, i fired him. I started working with a new trainer who 'gets' what i'm doing (building muscle mass) and understands my nutritional needs! Working with a trainer who will invest in YOU, spend time to read about and learn about VSG patients, makes a HUGE difference. With his help, and my focus, together i've lost 103lbs, and have less than 10 to goal. In such a few months, i personally feel, the 'weight training to failure' program he put me on has made the biggest difference in the way i feel, look, and frankly, live.

Trainers are a dime a dozen, but a GOOD trainer, well....he/she is like GOLD.

Dump the trainer, and find one who 'gets' you too! YOU'RE WORTH IT.

[Eureka-C 20]

I was told by my nutritionist and surgeon to wait until 6 weeks to 3 months to add serious exercise. I was told for the amount of calories and energy needs for healing it was better to do light workouts, walking, housecleaning, playing with my kids. Then when I am healed and able to eat enough Protein start moderate exercise, weights, machines, bikes etc.