Social media has exploded in the last several years.
With that, a lot of people have become self-proclaimed online personal trainers selling custom workout plans and meal plans to people trying to get into shape.
So, what’s the problem?
Online personal trainers may have some sort of personal training certification
BUT,
Very few have the qualifications needed to make the nutritional recommendations they are making.
Unless they possess a nutrition degree/certification, a certified personal trainer is not allowed to make any nutritional recommendations.
Can Online Personal Training Help You Get Into Shape?
When looking for an online personal trainer it is very important to find someone that is a licensed or registered nutritionist. This is your body and health you are dealing with. Be sure you find someone who is a qualified professional in nutrition and not an internet sensation.
The online personal trainers at The Optimal You not only are Master Trainers having their Masters of Science in Kinesiology, but are Registered Holistic Nutritionists (RHN), so you can be certain you are working with qualified professionals.
Problems with Online Personal Training
The problem with the diets that most online personal trainers give is that they end. You hear about all these 3o day detox diets, or 5 week ketogenic diets. Very strict rules need to be followed for weeks to notice result. But with these diets there is usually a moment in time where the diet ends and the ‘normal’ or old way of eating resumes.
The results?
Most, if not all, of the weight comes right back on!
Here are 3 reasons why ordinary diets fail:
1) Diet is a temporary state
To most a diet is looked at as following a meal plan for a given amount of time where you torture themselves to look good for their next vacation. But what usually happens after the trip is that the motivation is gone, the diet is out the window, and the weight comes back.
2) Diet is too strict
Strict rules on what you can/cannot eat need to be followed and meals need to be carefully weighed and portioned. Such strict rules actually make more likely for you to end up binging on “cheat” foods.
3) Hormonal Challenges:
Despite a calorie reduced diet and a good workout plan, your body may become stubborn and hold onto weight due to hormonal imbalances. It is very important to address these imbalances.
IIFYM – The Biggest Lie Told by Online Personal Trainers!
The IIFYM (if it fits your macros) approach used by most online personal trainers, states that whether you eat a balanced, health-promoting diet high in vegetables, lean proteins, fruits, nuts, and legumes, or a bunch of processed foods, as long as the calories are right, you will lose weight.
IIFYM is an approach to dieting based on food quantity as opposed to food quality.
Here’s the deal:
Most people look at weight loss only in terms of calories. Burn more calories than you eat and the weight comes off.
Unfortunately, it is not this simple.
Foods you are allergic too or intolerant too can set off a domino effect that alters the chemistry of your digestive system.
The result is often an immune system response and inflammation, which can affect your ability to maintain a healthy weight.
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What an Online Personal Trainer Should Teach You
When working with an online personal trainer to design a plan to reach your goals, three things should be made clear. How much to eat, what to eat, and how to prepare the food you eat.
The first step in determining the right diet for you is:
…understanding your body’s needs and the amount of food to reach your goals…
this is what the term ‘macros’ refers to.
In other words,
The amount of protein, fats, and carbohydrates a person has to consume each day to reach their goals.
Yes, it’s true!
Understanding the quantity of food one must consume is of great importance, but equally important is the quality of food.
Many online personal trainers make macro recommendations to their clients with foods that are not healthy choices. It is important to understand that a calorie is not just a calorie and it is very important to get your macros from high quality sources.
Foods To Eliminate From Your Diet:
- Dairy: Milk, cheese, yoghurt
- Processed Foods: Bread, cereal, pasta
- Fried Foods: Fries, breaded foods
- Sugars: Fruit juice, soda, pop
Oils and Salts – Two Biggest Overlooked Factors
Next, the method of preparation is incredibly important.
What is the point of eating healthy food if you are poisoning yourself by using the wrong oil and salt?
As a general rule oils that are liquid at room temperature are unstable at high temperatures and as a result convert to trans-fat when exposed to heat.
At The Optimal You we suggest that everyone avoid cooking with oils like olive oil, canola oil, and be sure to avoid using table salt.
Cook only with coconut oil or butter (from grass-fed cows) and use only Himalayan salt!
Supplements – A Crucial Part of the Protocol
You hear all this talk about macro-nutrients, the proteins, carbs, and fats but never hear about the micro-nutrients, the vitamins and minerals, which are equally as important.
At The Optimal You we advise our clients to get as much of their vitamins and minerals from organic whole food sources.
However…
…our soils are very mineral deficient nowadays so we cannot count on them to provide us with adequate minerals unfortunately.
So we must supplement our diet with vitamins and minerals. An online personal trainer should be qualified as a nutritionists or dietician to be able to create a supplement plan tailored to your needs and to explain why each is needed.
In addition to that…
You can view more information on our meal and supplement plans.
Back to the Question…Does Online Personal Training Work?
At the end of the day online personal training does work!
But ONLY…
…if you find the right person with the proper qualifications.
A good online personal trainer will educate you and help you find a new ‘normal’. Not try to give you a temporary fix.
They will work with you to lay a foundation that will not only get you to your goals, but will provide you with the tools to significantly improve your health in the long-run.
If you are interested in learning more or are ready to begin your online personal training journey with us visit www.the-optimal- you.com.