Lost 8 stone already - Looking for the ultimate personal PT
Discussion
Working 7 days a week and eating nothing but fast food with no exercise resulted in me touching 30 stone in October last year which is when i decided to take action before I ended up dead.
I started seeing a local personal trainer and over the last few months have lost 8 stone and visiting the gym 5 times a week doing a mixture of cardio and weights.
I have been eating less than 1000 cals a day and my trainer has offered nutritional advice but most of the time i have been eating 2 sandwiches a day and nothing else.
I'm now 22 stone and a good bit fitter but feel Its time to get to the next level and being honest I want dramatic results. I have heard a lot of good things about www.upfitness.co.uk and I was wondering if anyone here has personal experience of them and if the claims they make are true.
I know they are expensive @ over £100 an hour but they seem to know what they are doing and can fix the training/ nutritional using science rather than stuff they learned on a 6 week pt course.
The other thing i should mention is for the first time in tears I can commit time and 100% effort without distraction, I have the focus and and determined to get it right.
Thoughts from experts please
I started seeing a local personal trainer and over the last few months have lost 8 stone and visiting the gym 5 times a week doing a mixture of cardio and weights.
I have been eating less than 1000 cals a day and my trainer has offered nutritional advice but most of the time i have been eating 2 sandwiches a day and nothing else.
I'm now 22 stone and a good bit fitter but feel Its time to get to the next level and being honest I want dramatic results. I have heard a lot of good things about www.upfitness.co.uk and I was wondering if anyone here has personal experience of them and if the claims they make are true.
I know they are expensive @ over £100 an hour but they seem to know what they are doing and can fix the training/ nutritional using science rather than stuff they learned on a 6 week pt course.
The other thing i should mention is for the first time in tears I can commit time and 100% effort without distraction, I have the focus and and determined to get it right.
Thoughts from experts please
uber said:
..... over the last few months have lost 8 stone and visiting the gym 5 times a week doing a mixture of cardio and weights.
I have been eating less than 1000 cals a day and my trainer has offered nutritional advice but most of the time i have been eating 2 sandwiches a day and nothing else.
I'm now 22 stone and a good bit fitter ....
Sounds like you're doing alright as you are to me!I have been eating less than 1000 cals a day and my trainer has offered nutritional advice but most of the time i have been eating 2 sandwiches a day and nothing else.
I'm now 22 stone and a good bit fitter ....
How long did it take to put the weight on? It will take a while to shift it, and it seems as if you are shifting it fast.
Keep going and keep the money in your pocket for something nice to reward yourself with would be my (non expert) advice.
Quick question - how tall are you? If you're 6'6" then you're getting pretty close to a good weight but if you're 5'2 you've still a fair way to go. If you are getting down near your target weight the progress will get slower and a PT will help, but if you are still aiming to drop a few more stones, it sounds like you know what you are doing.
Well done on losing 8 stone though - that's the equivalent of not carrying a person on your back all day. Must make a massive difference.
Well done on losing 8 stone though - that's the equivalent of not carrying a person on your back all day. Must make a massive difference.
Exercise is only a third of the solution. Rest is another third and diet is the final part.
See a nutritionist: you say you've now got time to focus more. You've done amazingly well so far - remember that most people would have given up after finding out how hard it is to drop the first stone. Now is the time to really get your diet sorted and a nutritionist can help you choose foods (and determine quantities) that will help you fuel your body without going to excess and will fill you up whilst giving you all the protein, carbs, fats and other nutrients that you need.
See a nutritionist: you say you've now got time to focus more. You've done amazingly well so far - remember that most people would have given up after finding out how hard it is to drop the first stone. Now is the time to really get your diet sorted and a nutritionist can help you choose foods (and determine quantities) that will help you fuel your body without going to excess and will fill you up whilst giving you all the protein, carbs, fats and other nutrients that you need.
Honestly my advice would be to learn everything you need yourself. All of the information is out there and it can all be had for far less than £100.
If you don't do it yourself and lets say you are out with friends, family etc, how could you possibly make a good dietary choice for instance, you couldn't.
Also the other question, I'd have is, if you are pushing to achieve dramatic results have you in your minds eye a picture of the final shape you want? Because this will determine where you look and who you use for a PT should you decide to take one up.
For instance asking a normal PT with very little muscle for help building muscle is akin to asking a fat guy how to lose weight. They've not done it so how could they know other than to regurgitate something they've learned in a classroom.
Anyway, great result so far, keep it up!
Lee
If you don't do it yourself and lets say you are out with friends, family etc, how could you possibly make a good dietary choice for instance, you couldn't.
Also the other question, I'd have is, if you are pushing to achieve dramatic results have you in your minds eye a picture of the final shape you want? Because this will determine where you look and who you use for a PT should you decide to take one up.
For instance asking a normal PT with very little muscle for help building muscle is akin to asking a fat guy how to lose weight. They've not done it so how could they know other than to regurgitate something they've learned in a classroom.
Anyway, great result so far, keep it up!
Lee
Well done for losing 8 stone already. If you aren't feeling any adverse effects of such a low calorie diet (like being weak/tired etc) then I'd say keep doing what you're doing. Only if you start to reach a plateau where you aren't losing anymore weight would I say its time to change something around.
Well done on the weight loss - serious fat shedding. However, your current consumption sounds pretty awful IMHO & I doubt it is doing you any favours
You don't need to pee away a ton an hour, nor should you be trying to exist on <1000 Cals a day via sarnies. It may have worked so far but it isn't the way forward.
A little bit of fishing around here, plus some Google love will cost you nothing but time, but will really reap dividends, more so than wallet bashing PTs - 75% or so diet, 24% right (but simple) exercise and 1% flogging yourself in t'gym.
Diet wise, how about:
Breakfast - Porridge or a scrambled egg or two, plus mushrooms (or similar).
Lunch - Turkey/chicken/fish salad
Evening meal - Meat/Chicken/Fish stir-fry (or some appropriate veg)
While simple, the above won't be massively different, calorie wise, from your current 2 sarnies a day, but will be better for you.
You don't need to pee away a ton an hour, nor should you be trying to exist on <1000 Cals a day via sarnies. It may have worked so far but it isn't the way forward.
A little bit of fishing around here, plus some Google love will cost you nothing but time, but will really reap dividends, more so than wallet bashing PTs - 75% or so diet, 24% right (but simple) exercise and 1% flogging yourself in t'gym.
Diet wise, how about:
Breakfast - Porridge or a scrambled egg or two, plus mushrooms (or similar).
Lunch - Turkey/chicken/fish salad
Evening meal - Meat/Chicken/Fish stir-fry (or some appropriate veg)
While simple, the above won't be massively different, calorie wise, from your current 2 sarnies a day, but will be better for you.
scdan4 said:
Sounds like you're doing alright as you are to me!
How long did it take to put the weight on? It will take a while to shift it, and it seems as if you are shifting it fast.
Keep going and keep the money in your pocket for something nice to reward yourself with would be my (non expert) advice.
I would say it was over the last 3 years How long did it take to put the weight on? It will take a while to shift it, and it seems as if you are shifting it fast.
Keep going and keep the money in your pocket for something nice to reward yourself with would be my (non expert) advice.
Du1point8 said:
A quick query... how can you do all what you are doing including exercise and then live off less than 1000 cals?
do you not feel seriously weak all the time?
I normally do a daily 20 min stair climb, 5k on treadmill (fast walk) then a mixture of boxing, weights, kettlebells.do you not feel seriously weak all the time?
davepoth said:
Quick question - how tall are you? If you're 6'6" then you're getting pretty close to a good weight but if you're 5'2 you've still a fair way to go. If you are getting down near your target weight the progress will get slower and a PT will help, but if you are still aiming to drop a few more stones, it sounds like you know what you are doing.
Well done on losing 8 stone though - that's the equivalent of not carrying a person on your back all day. Must make a massive difference.
Im just under 6 ft Well done on losing 8 stone though - that's the equivalent of not carrying a person on your back all day. Must make a massive difference.
Ordinary_Chap said:
Honestly my advice would be to learn everything you need yourself. All of the information is out there and it can all be had for far less than £100.
If you don't do it yourself and lets say you are out with friends, family etc, how could you possibly make a good dietary choice for instance, you couldn't.
Also the other question, I'd have is, if you are pushing to achieve dramatic results have you in your minds eye a picture of the final shape you want? Because this will determine where you look and who you use for a PT should you decide to take one up.
For instance asking a normal PT with very little muscle for help building muscle is akin to asking a fat guy how to lose weight. They've not done it so how could they know other than to regurgitate something they've learned in a classroom.
Anyway, great result so far, keep it up!
Lee
This was one of my main issues as the PT I have is thin but not exactly someone you would look at and think is super fit. The gym we go to has very little, if anyone who I would say is built in any wayIf you don't do it yourself and lets say you are out with friends, family etc, how could you possibly make a good dietary choice for instance, you couldn't.
Also the other question, I'd have is, if you are pushing to achieve dramatic results have you in your minds eye a picture of the final shape you want? Because this will determine where you look and who you use for a PT should you decide to take one up.
For instance asking a normal PT with very little muscle for help building muscle is akin to asking a fat guy how to lose weight. They've not done it so how could they know other than to regurgitate something they've learned in a classroom.
Anyway, great result so far, keep it up!
Lee
DukeDickson said:
Well done on the weight loss - serious fat shedding. However, your current consumption sounds pretty awful IMHO & I doubt it is doing you any favours
You don't need to pee away a ton an hour, nor should you be trying to exist on <1000 Cals a day via sarnies. It may have worked so far but it isn't the way forward.
A little bit of fishing around here, plus some Google love will cost you nothing but time, but will really reap dividends, more so than wallet bashing PTs - 75% or so diet, 24% right (but simple) exercise and 1% flogging yourself in t'gym.
Diet wise, how about:
Breakfast - Porridge or a scrambled egg or two, plus mushrooms (or similar).
Lunch - Turkey/chicken/fish salad
Evening meal - Meat/Chicken/Fish stir-fry (or some appropriate veg)
While simple, the above won't be massively different, calorie wise, from your current 2 sarnies a day, but will be better for you.
Thanks, I know your right regarding the nutrition, its trying to match up the right food and exercise to get me optimum results You don't need to pee away a ton an hour, nor should you be trying to exist on <1000 Cals a day via sarnies. It may have worked so far but it isn't the way forward.
A little bit of fishing around here, plus some Google love will cost you nothing but time, but will really reap dividends, more so than wallet bashing PTs - 75% or so diet, 24% right (but simple) exercise and 1% flogging yourself in t'gym.
Diet wise, how about:
Breakfast - Porridge or a scrambled egg or two, plus mushrooms (or similar).
Lunch - Turkey/chicken/fish salad
Evening meal - Meat/Chicken/Fish stir-fry (or some appropriate veg)
While simple, the above won't be massively different, calorie wise, from your current 2 sarnies a day, but will be better for you.
uber said:
DukeDickson said:
Well done on the weight loss - serious fat shedding. However, your current consumption sounds pretty awful IMHO & I doubt it is doing you any favours
You don't need to pee away a ton an hour, nor should you be trying to exist on <1000 Cals a day via sarnies. It may have worked so far but it isn't the way forward.
A little bit of fishing around here, plus some Google love will cost you nothing but time, but will really reap dividends, more so than wallet bashing PTs - 75% or so diet, 24% right (but simple) exercise and 1% flogging yourself in t'gym.
Diet wise, how about:
Breakfast - Porridge or a scrambled egg or two, plus mushrooms (or similar).
Lunch - Turkey/chicken/fish salad
Evening meal - Meat/Chicken/Fish stir-fry (or some appropriate veg)
While simple, the above won't be massively different, calorie wise, from your current 2 sarnies a day, but will be better for you.
Thanks, I know your right regarding the nutrition, its trying to match up the right food and exercise to get me optimum results You don't need to pee away a ton an hour, nor should you be trying to exist on <1000 Cals a day via sarnies. It may have worked so far but it isn't the way forward.
A little bit of fishing around here, plus some Google love will cost you nothing but time, but will really reap dividends, more so than wallet bashing PTs - 75% or so diet, 24% right (but simple) exercise and 1% flogging yourself in t'gym.
Diet wise, how about:
Breakfast - Porridge or a scrambled egg or two, plus mushrooms (or similar).
Lunch - Turkey/chicken/fish salad
Evening meal - Meat/Chicken/Fish stir-fry (or some appropriate veg)
While simple, the above won't be massively different, calorie wise, from your current 2 sarnies a day, but will be better for you.
Anyway here are a couple of sites out of many I often look at;
Lyle McDonald - Nutritionist to the stars
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/
BrinkZone - Lots of sports science stuff and he keeps its fun
http://www.brinkzone.com/
Theres loads of others if you are interested.
I'm going to have to agree with the majority of responses here.
Firstly I think losing 8 stone is an incredible achievement, shows how driven you must be.
Sandwiches really aren't the best things to be eating day in day out, you really need some variation in your diet. With the right diet you'll find you have more energy, so you can do more exercise and lose more weight, just by changing your diet around a little.
Theres so much free information on the internet, the key is finding it from a reputable source. Theres plenty of diet plans for different goals on websites such as mens health or mens fitness.
Finally I'd have to say that >£100 an hour is crazy money. Unless you have money to burn I'd stick with the one you have and just up the intensity.
Firstly I think losing 8 stone is an incredible achievement, shows how driven you must be.
Sandwiches really aren't the best things to be eating day in day out, you really need some variation in your diet. With the right diet you'll find you have more energy, so you can do more exercise and lose more weight, just by changing your diet around a little.
Theres so much free information on the internet, the key is finding it from a reputable source. Theres plenty of diet plans for different goals on websites such as mens health or mens fitness.
Finally I'd have to say that >£100 an hour is crazy money. Unless you have money to burn I'd stick with the one you have and just up the intensity.
uber said:
davepoth said:
Quick question - how tall are you? If you're 6'6" then you're getting pretty close to a good weight but if you're 5'2 you've still a fair way to go. If you are getting down near your target weight the progress will get slower and a PT will help, but if you are still aiming to drop a few more stones, it sounds like you know what you are doing.
Well done on losing 8 stone though - that's the equivalent of not carrying a person on your back all day. Must make a massive difference.
Im just under 6 ft Well done on losing 8 stone though - that's the equivalent of not carrying a person on your back all day. Must make a massive difference.
Like everyone else is saying, you probably want a few more calories - the body enters a "starvation mode" below a certain level and your metabolism slows down significantly, making it harder to lose the weight.
You can only get away with a starvation diet for a couple of weeks. If you push it for much longer you will start to develop conditions associated with malnutrition. The best thing to do now, would be to start eating at regular intervals throughout the day. Try to get as many of the food groups into each meal as possible, but keep the portions small. Try not to get too hung up on the calories, dieting is not all about calories.
davepoth said:
uber said:
davepoth said:
Quick question - how tall are you? If you're 6'6" then you're getting pretty close to a good weight but if you're 5'2 you've still a fair way to go. If you are getting down near your target weight the progress will get slower and a PT will help, but if you are still aiming to drop a few more stones, it sounds like you know what you are doing.
Well done on losing 8 stone though - that's the equivalent of not carrying a person on your back all day. Must make a massive difference.
Im just under 6 ft Well done on losing 8 stone though - that's the equivalent of not carrying a person on your back all day. Must make a massive difference.
Like everyone else is saying, you probably want a few more calories - the body enters a "starvation mode" below a certain level and your metabolism slows down significantly, making it harder to lose the weight.
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