People today are highly concerned with their bodies and their health so it is no surprise that more and more people are hiring personal trainers to help them lose weight and get in shape. For the most part, this is a good thing. It’s great to see people taking a positive step towards weight loss and a healthy future.
However, do you really need a trainer? There are some people out there that can greatly benefit from the regular expertise of a personal trainer. There are many other people who could likely do it just fine on their own if they would only set their mind to it. The trainer merely serves as a person to answer to; the person you are paying to kick you in the tushie when you don’t get moving!
It’s true that your trainer knows a lot about helping you get in shape and lose weight to be a healthier and more beautiful you. So what are some big secrets your trainer doesn’t want you to know?
1. You don’t have to “feel the burn”. We’ve all heard the phrase “no pain, no gain”. You may have even chanted it a few times yourself during your workout but one thing your trainer might not want you to know is that working harder and pushing further won’t help you lose weight if you are injured. Remember, for beginners, slow and steady wins the race!
2. You do not have to give up junk food entirely. Trainers have a habit of blacklisting certain foods that just might happen to be your favorite. There is good reason for this. Most people that are overweight may already have a problem with saying no to food. However, cutting out a favorite treat altogether can lead to serious cravings and secret binges. It’s okay to have a little chocolate or a soda now and then – just learn how to pace yourself and keep it to a minimum. Be sure you never use the food item as a “reward”. (As a side note, in most states, trainers cannot give nutritional advice unless they are a registered dietician.)
3. You don’t need a routine to burn calories. Trainers train you to focus on a set, regular weight loss and exercise routine because that is the best way to get you in the habit of exercising and to push you to do what you need to do to burn calories. However, you can just as easily burn calories and get the exercise you need in your regular daily activities. There are many healthy habits that can be incorporated into your daily activity that do not require a gym, or a trainer.
4. Losing weight is often simply about forming better habits. You need better and healthier eating habits, sleeping habits and exercise habits. Forming these habits will help you lose weight and keep it off- without needing a trainer!
If you are using a trainer, keep in mind that you should feel comfortable with the trainer that you are working with. It should be someone not only knowledgeable but also someone that cares about you and your needs. Remember, you should work together as a team with your health as the common goal.
