I started working out with a personal trainer last night. I've known him forever so it was good! His boss (also a trainer) annoyed me though. She said first off that wls is crazy and she would've never let me do that to myself. She said she gets very frustrated when training her clients who've had wls bc there's a very specific zone they have to keep their heart rate in in order to lose weight. She told my trainer if he takes me out of that zone, he'll cause me to gain weight. I know what she's talking about.. It's a test you get done that tells you at what heart rate you burn fat most effectively. It's for EVERYBODY, not just wls patients. We all have a zone that works best for our bodies and we are all very different. Anyway, she made it sound like he can't ever work me very hard. I know right now being only 2 1/2 months out, I only consume 600 to 800 cals per day so obviously I can't go very hard yet, but eventually I would like to step it up, alot. I am a former athlete. I like to weight train. Is she right? Or is she an idiot? How hard do you all work out?

I think that weight loss is about calories above all else- calories in versus calories burned, and not so much to do with your "zone". A deficit of 3500 calories equals one pound of fat loss no matter what your zone is. Seems to me she was being judgy and critical of your choice to have wls and was trying to make you feel bad with her comments.

She's an idiot!

VSG doesn't change the physiology of how you're going to burn calories and lose or gain weight.

Is she an idiot? How hard do you all work out?

Yes she is an idiot. I work out hard, heart rate when doin cardio, intervals 3 minutes up 2 minutes down 150 up 130 down, I don't do much cardio any more mostly strength training.

What a biatch..and a stupid one too.

My trainer has never had a WLS patient and we started working out together when I was 6 weeks out and consuming 500 calories. I am almost 5 months out now and as my calories have increased he has stepped up the intensity of the workouts. I don't even know about heart zones yada yada yada..all I know is I am a puddle of sweat and cursing him out by the time we are done. 52 pounds later I consider him a success!

"never let you do that to yourself"? What is she, your mommy (and you're 12)? She needs to keep her opinions to herself. If she's addressing you directly, tell her thanks for her concern but you've made the best decision for yourself in consultation with medical professionals and you don't care to hear any more from her. Seriously! She's a service provider, not your boss. And if she's telling this to your trainer and he's relaying it to you, if it happens again, ask him not to not relay the negative judgments of others to you. People (it sounds like the boss in this case) really need to learn some boundaries.

Exactly!! I agree with all of you. I think I'll talk to Clint, my trainer, and somehow relay to him that she doesn't know what she's talking about, without being too blunt, which is hard for me. Thanks for the input!

If any trainer points to a chart, and says you're "zone" is "this" because of your weight and height, or any other factor NOT using biometrics, they're idiots trained by the certification system. Your zone is your zone, mine is mine, it doesn't matter that we've had WLS, after you're fully healed, it's fair game. I and several others I know on here bust our asses in the gym, your physical limitations are still just that, before or after surgery, they're the same and will have to be improved on just like before surgery. Do your thing, bust ass in the gym and don't worry about what she says.

Mark, that's exactly what I wanted to hear!! I don't feel bad. I know my body and I know my limitations. I just don't see what half assing it is gonna do for me and I'm definitely not paying a trainer for that! Thanks for the advice!