How to Use a Personal Trainer to (Actually) Lose Weight

Most of us tend to carry around a few stubborn extra pounds, and talk a lot about how and when we’re going to lose them… with very few results.

The truth is that the lifestyle change needed for real weight loss almost always requires outside influences and support, like (for instance) joining a healthy eating program, training for a long distance race, or hiring a personal trainer or coach.

If this is the year is THE year for you, and you’re truly committed to getting healthier, a personal trainer can be a great option - if you know what to ask for.

Below you’ll find our top tips for hiring a trainer, if weight loss is your #1 goal.

1. Be honest about your goals

There’s a bit of a stigma in some circles associated with losing weight these days, and some people find it uncomfortable or embarrassing to admit that weight loss is their target - to anyone.

Meeting with a trainer is no time to be coy about your motivation, however: they’re there to help you achieve your goals, so they need to know what those goals really are.

Sit down knowing what your ideal weight is, and you’ll be able to work together to structure a plan that gets you there in a reasonable amount of time. Some trainers will also be able to make diet recommendations - but they can only do so if you’re straight with them about the results you’re after.

2. Rely on your trainer for motivation (especially when you’ve got nothing left in the tank)

Let’s face it - losing weight can feel hard. We all have good days and bad days, and, left to our own devices, sometimes the bad days win.

We’re not sure if it’s a Canadian thing, but some folks can be a little overly polite with their personal trainers - they don’t like to let them know if they’re having an off day, feeling discouraged, or not jiving with the plan that’s been put in place.

It’s okay to lean on your trainer a bit - that’s why you hired them! Let them provide the extra motivation when you’ve got none left.

You’ve likely been trying to lose this extra weight for a while, and doing it on your own. Now’s your chance to take advantage of being part of a team. Speaking of which...

3. Combine your specialists, grow your team

A personal trainer can’t replace a good nutritionist, naturopath, doctor, etc. If you really struggle with the healthy eating end of things, or are having a harder-than-normal time sticking to your program, there might be other health concerns and/or requirements to address before you can shed those extra pounds.

The more professionals you bring into your process, the more information and accountability you’ll have. Which, of course, means a much larger chance of success. Share what your health team is telling you with each member - the more integrated they can be on their approach to your weight (and overall health), the better.

4. Be okay with shedding pounds safely

The number one folly when hiring a trainer to lose weight is expecting to see overnight success.

For one, losing weight safely is a gradual game - on average, unless you’re well over your ideal weight range (think obese), losing a couple of pounds a week is the healthiest and most sustainable way to drop weight.

Secondly, if you really want to keep the weight off, you’ll need to commit to a full lifestyle change. On average, it takes people about 21 days to develop a new habit (like, for instance, working out or eating healthy), and longer than that to cement it as a routine. Seeing a trainer for several months in a row and gradually increasing your workouts while you adjust your diet will give you time to create a habit of well-being, and a whole new body type.

There’s no shortage of support out there for someone who’s ready to shift their lifestyle, be it in service of weight loss, improved mood, increased strength or better sleep. I learnt at Physiotherapy Victoria, a trainer is a wonderful option - if you know what to ask for, and how to use one!