I graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Nutrition,
but it only took six short months after being on the job to abandon that
degree. Though the field wasn’t for me, I learned a lot and can happily apply
that knowledge to my own life. So, it wasn’t a total loss.
Recently, a local personal trainer displayed a nutrition
certificate that he was able to obtain from an online course in a few months.
While I applaud his efforts to further educate himself about the world in which
he works, I feel it is part of my old job to tell my fitness buddies to proceed
with caution when accepting a diet plan or diet advice from a personal trainer.
Back in the day, I worked as a nutritionist for a doctor. When
patients came to me, I already had access to their charts-medical history,
family medical history, blood work, blood pressure, and current medications
that the patient was taking. Based on all of this information, I was able to
make informed decisions on realistic diet recommendations for each person.
In contrast, other than whatever information you decide to divulge
about yourself, personal trainers do not have any information on you in which
to base their nutritional guidance, nor are they trained to deal with any
underlying medical conditions. The blunt truth is that even if they did have
your chart work, they would not be able to properly utilize the information to
give you a diet plan that is truly best for your body.
Before I discovered running, I tried the gym
thing…twice. I hired personal trainers both times. The first personal trainer I
hired suggested protein bars (which were actually loaded with sugar) prior to
the workout. I declined and just stuck with a snack that was more appropriate
for me. However, the second trainer (let's call him Tim) encouraged me to try
his diet, which pretty much consisted of protein shakes and fruit. Other than
my height and weight and a quick BMI calculation, Tim had no further details
about my health. So, when I decided to inform him that I was a type 1
diabetic, I expected him to alter his diet advice. Instead, Tim's response was,
“Great! So, a protein based diet is perfect for you!” I was amazed that, even
with his obvious lack of knowledge, he was still confident in his advice...for
a type 1 diabetic.
It was then that I started wondering about the
accountability of personal trainers. What if I didn’t tell Tim about my health,
followed his diet, and wound up in the hospital? Is he liable for giving me a
diet plan that he technically is not licensed to give? Or does the responsibility
lie on the client to disclose medical issues before going on a diet suggested
by an unqualified person? I don’t know the answers to these questions. But my
gut feeling is that a trainer is the expert at fixing the outside of your
body, while a dietitian is better qualified to fix the inside.
I'm hopeful that my experience with Tim
isn’t the norm. But I think it's important to be cautious when accepting
generic plans. This is not only limited to advice from personal trainers, but
also from your buddies who swear by products that incorporate shakes, pills or
some other type of fad into your diet. While I'm sure their intent is not
malicious, before committing to a product or a plan suggested by a
non-professional, ask yourself if you could see yourself using this
plan/product for the rest of your life. Ask yourself if the person promoting it
is qualified to tell you what to put inside your body. Ask yourself if you are
100% sure that it is safe...for you. If you are unsure of your
answers to these questions, then I urge you to move on and consult with a
registered dietitian, or at the very least, your doctor, to find a plan
tailored to your body and to your health
goals.
(Tip: There is a difference between learning how
to eat right and going on a diet. Sometimes, they aren't the same thing. Keep
this in mind when making food and supplement choices.)
I am a huge supporter of being healthy and fit,
but I firmly believe that getting there the right way is imperative.
Seeking the right health plan for yourself may take more work than simply
ingesting a shake or signing up for a gym. Remember- this is your fitness
journey, and cutting corners shouldn't be an option.
It's hard to lose if you surround yourself with
professionals who are most capable of devising the best plan for you. So,
choose your team wisely, and then simply follow your sculpted path to the
healthiest you.
Good luck and happy new year!
*This piece was published on Reality Moms on January 7, 2017.
