Amy: The Problem With Gyms & Trainers

I think I must be like pretty much everyone. I knew I had gained some weight, but I didn’t really think it was that much.

But when my doctor said I was pre-diabetic, I figured, OK, I better lose a few pounds. My mom was pre-diabetic, and then they said she had diabetes, and finally she had to give herself shots so I knew it was a big deal.

But, changing things up on my own was harder than I thought it would be and I didn’t really feel like I was making much progress.

I had a friend who had lost some weight with a personal trainer at the gym and she said he was great, so I signed up with her guy.

That lasted about three weeks and I just sort of ghosted him after that.

I know it worked for her, BUT. I hated actually going to the gym, first of all — I felt like everyone was looking at me and like they could all tell I didn’t know what I was doing. Which probably wasn’t true but still, it’s how I felt.

Also, he just annoyed the stew out of me. He was so sure he knew everything I was doing wrong but I don’t think he gets my actual life AT ALL.

Looking back, I think what I really wanted was a coach, not someone who was going to boss me around. I’m not my kids, I don’t need to be told what to do.

I just want someone who’s tuned in to my life, who understands what I’m trying to do, and can help me figure out good ways to do it, so I don’t have to have all the answers myself.

(Stories represent typical situations based on the aggregated experiences of our providers and clients.)