I just signed up to work with a personal trainer who knows I am on JC. He warmed me that I shouldn't expect to notice any differences in my weight loss for a month (I have been at a plateau for several months). I know that the body needs time to react to a new routine, but I just wanted to see if anyone saw this first hand. The reason why I'm asking is that I can only afford to meet with him 4 times, and with my work schedule and commute time may only be once a week. I'm hoping to learn exercise routines that I can do on my own for days where I work on my own.

Thanks!

I lost almost no weight my first 4 weeks working out with a trainer. I lost 4% body fat, one pants size and lots of inches, and 3 lbs. The scale is actually a horrible measure of progress.

Well he was talking about weight on the scale and that is definitely true. I have been working out since January 7th. Sometimes I lose weight. most of the times not. I am losing inches and definitely burning fat. I'm gaining muscle mass. So this muscle mass makes the scale sometimes stay at a standstill. I mean that can be so frustrating when weighing time comes. I dread my weigh in.s I just want to get my food and be gone. Then I look at the little things like I can walk up my 4 flights of stairs without stopping., before i was breathless. I'm getting stronger. I found classes like spin and Zumba tat I love and because of Jenny Craig, I quit smoking.

The complete opposite is true for me. I started working with a personal trainer my second week and I'm averaging over 10 lbs a month right now. At my week 11 WI I was down a total of 31 lbs. So I guess everyone's body works differently. you might just have to see what your body does.

Good luck!!

Beth

Well mine wasn't working out with a trainer, because on a teacher's salary I can't afford both Jenny Craig and a personal trainer. SO I'm weight training on my own and doing cardio on my own. I did have a trainer an intro trainer for 2 sessions. I'm thinking though as I reach halfway(I have a long way) I may try to find a means to afford one. It's either a trainer of Jenny Craig. right now , I'm choosing Jenny Craig.

Couldn't agree more with everything you've said. I wish JC would use body fat % instead of BMI as a gauge of progress or fitness or target weight. Body composition is critical. The more muscle mass you have, the higher your resting metabolism = the more calories you burn sitting in your car or at your desk or in front of the TV. The scale might not show much change, but one thing that's so great about weight training, is that you see results in the mirror, FAST! And that in itself, is motivation enough.

Thank you so much for your replies! I think it's easier for me to not get frustrated if I know what to expect. I can completely understand about the cost of everything though. I am just 6 months out of major knee surgery and my doctor gave me the go-ahead to exercise on my own. I'm just afraid that if I am left to my own devices I'll do something wrong and hurt myself again. I would love to lost inches even if my weight stays the same. I got my body percent measured and it was well over 40%. I knew it was going to be bad, but seeing it so bad was a real eye opener.

I go in for my first real session tomorrow so I'll see how it goes and what he wants me to do calorie wise. He already told me that I should bump up the cals when I work with him a bit, but not too much. I think it would come out to an additional milk or fruit serving.

I appreciate your feedback, and I wish you luck.

This trainer sounds right on the money, about possibly having to bump up your cals. When I'm in heavy workout mode, I do the 1500 cal. plan. On days (or weeks like this one) when I can't work out, I stick with 1200. Make them good calories, though. Within 30 minutes of weight training, yo want to eat some good protein - a lot of it. So, the milk would be a better choice. Have the fruit BEFORE the workout, some cheese, or milk or even a protein shake AFTER. my gym makes a protein shake that's mixed with water, has no carbs, something like 120 calories and TONS of protein. Tastes good, too.

You're right, too, that working with a trainer to learn how to do things with correct form will prevent injury, AND it'll mean better results, because you'll be working more efficiently and more focused on the particular muscle.

Good for you! That body fat % is gonna drop like a rock.

I do a fitness class twice a week that includes quite a bit of weight training. I started the class mid January (I also do 1 zumba class and some other cardio on my own). Since then I've had some pretty small losses, typically about 0.2-0.6 lbs. per week. I've heard that this is normal and that the larger losses should be starting up again soon. I certainly hope so!

I asked my fitness instructor how much extra protien I should be eating afterwards and she said only 4-7 grams. I usually go straight home afterward and have my dinner (and the JC dinners all seem to have at least 11 grams), so I dont really add anything extra unless I'm hungry. I'm already on 1500 calories, anyway.

Take care,
Angela

Thanks Angela and Poozieny,

Everything you said makes sense. Unfortunately my trainer was involved in a minor car accident yesterday and wasn't able to make it to our training session. He is okay, but was pretty shaken up. So, I went to the gym on my own and worked out for a while. I got the sense that I wasn't able to push myself very hard so it was probably good that I didn't spent that time with a trainer.

Have a great weekend!