My story...Personal Trainer?

24 Hour Fitness Trainer??

Hello. I recently have gone through a pretty bad breakup with my 6 year long boyfriend (alcoholic ex-boyfriend) about 7 months ago. I'm 29 years old and have gone through quite a bit of emotional turmoil in the past 8 years with just being with abusive men or just not really picking the cream of the crop in terms of men. Well, unfortunately, the way I deal with stress is eat excessively and have picked up some pretty bad habits that I have been trying to cut back.

A few years ago I went on the Atkins diet for a year. I started at about 5'3, 205 lbs and went clear down to 140 lbs! It was great, but I wasn't exercising. So, the minute I went off that diet, I packed on the lbs that left me at a whopping 196 lbs on my small 5'3 frame back in June. Fortunately, I carry my weight rather well, so no one ever guessed how much I weighed until I went to the doctor and basically got yelled at!
Well, June was the month I got cheated on, relationship ended and for the first time I'm out on my own here in Los angeles (no family lives here). Fortunately again, I am an Engineer and I can support myself and am able to make it ok on my own...

But I have been working out for 5 months, without changing my diet and have managed to cut off over 20 lbs. I am now 175 lbs, 5'3, which is great. But I've been stuck at this weight for over a month now. I've cut my diet down since January 2nd to between 1200-1500 calories a day. I tend to go over on days I eat out and have sometimes gone up to 1700-2000 calories a day, but I chose healthy options always. 

I am starting to feel frustrated with my 3-5 times a week cardio routine and am wondering if hiring a Personal Trainer is really worth it? Or should I try a Pilates at home video and see if that helps? I don't really want to spend a lot of money on a trainer, but I know that I want to get to at least 140 this year and am really focused on my goal.

HELP!!!

Are you going to 24 Hour Fitness for your gym?  If so, they may have some specials or packages where you can get 5 sessions or half sessions for a reduced/special price - then you can see if you like it and if it's worth it for you. 

That's where I go, and that's what I did when I started there.  I wanted to start weight training but I wanted someone to show me how to do it properly and develop a little workout routine for me.  I thought that it was worth it, and I wish I could afford more sessions (but can't fit it into the budget right now).

Yes, 24 hour fitness is where I workout. I do 35 mintues on the elliptical and 20 on the treadclimber. I love it!

But, alas, still no weight training. need to get to that! :( I am losing but still flabby. That's the reason for the interest in the personal trainer.

Thanks for the advice!

If you can afford it...DO IT!! I cannot say enough about how much having a personal trainer has helped me!!!! I started a year ago, trained for about 4 months straight, did another 3-4 weeks during the summer, and just started up again after christmas. I have lost a total of 82 pounds so far, gained muscle, and learned so many new exercises and work outs! Having a routine that incorporates cardio and weight training will help you stay tone as you lose the flab!

Original Post by niltzsch:

If you can afford it...DO IT!!

 

Agreed. I am a trainer, so I understand exercise and progression, periodization etc. Yet even I have had a trainers. It's so useful to get a different take on exercise from someone else. That, and you tend to push a LOT harder with a trainer (at least I hope my clients do!)

Go for it.

Yes, I can afford it. This year I am going to accomplish my list of goals and quit putting stupid crap off. I've had it with me making excuses and making goals based on what other people think I should do. This year is the year of my body. I'm going to take care of it and be happy.

Today I signed up for the personal trainer. 7 Sessions at 24 hour fitness. We'll see how it goes. I definitely hope I'm on my way. She wants printouts of my calorie intake and what I am eating. Whoa! Scary! Eeek! Now I have to be more than accountable to myself by also to her. Should be fun!

Thanks guys for the confidence. I love these forums!

Tami

WTG th,
Congrats. I think you made a great decision concerning your well-being and attitude towards your personal quality of life by getting a PT. We look forward to hearing your progress in the near future. Love your words, "Should be fun!"