Need some help guys. [Archive] - Bodybuilding.com Forums

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Own3r

03-11-2011, 03:12 PM

Ronin4help

03-11-2011, 06:18 PM

Alright so this is the first time this ever happened to me, my client is simply not losing weight :(

Facts and stats:

69 years old
5'10"
Diabetic
BMR + Activity (2400) as per bodybugg
BF 30%

It has been 3 weeks that I am training him 4 times a week. So far he did not drop 1lb, all lifts gone up by at least 12lb.

Diet is roughly 145P / 150C / 60F (started higher up)

I know that he is following the diet to the letter.

So what is causing the lack of progress?

Don't beat yourself up over it. You have no way of really knowing what he is doing outside your presence. He could be consuming something he isn't telling you. Also, three weeks isn't really a lot of time and it's not really time for you to be too concerned. He's a bit older, obviuosly, so he may need a few more weeks to adjust to the program.

BrandonKlodo

03-11-2011, 07:20 PM

bigw10921

03-11-2011, 07:43 PM

Own3r

03-11-2011, 07:50 PM

He is not eating enough. Eating under your BMR will cause your metabolism to slow down and body fat to store, also muscle mass will be lost.

Start him out on this -

Have him eat BMR + 300 calories a day spread over five meals. 40/40/20 ratio Protein/Carb/Fat. Make sure he is hydrated

Cardio

Time = 30 mins
HR= 140-160
Frequency = 4x a week

Hes diet is fine, I started him higher up by his blood sugar was getting out of hand. Plus if he would not be eating enough from the bat he would still lose quite some weight before the body would go in to starvation, which is not the case here.

ger2oo5

03-12-2011, 05:57 AM

So what is causing the lack of progress?

The fact that your client is 69 years old. Thats your answer IMO ;)

Most people find it hard to lose weight in later life due a slowing metabolism. It doesnt mean they cant lose weight, its just means it may take that little bit longer. Also, your client is suffering from a metabolic illness anyway (diabetes, im presuming type 2?) which doesnt help either. Just give it another few weeks. If there is still no response in terms of weight loss after a total of 4-6 weeks then you should advise the client to seek a doctors advice just to make sure something out of your control as a trainer (e.g. prescribed medicines) arent playing apart ;)

dirtydozen614

03-12-2011, 06:16 AM

I would assume it has to do with him having a lower metabolism due to age/inactivity and the insulin/medications he is taking for his diabetes. Insulin promotes fat storage as well so that likely has a lot to do with it. From my knowledge if he is T2 diabetic(seems that way as he is fat, not slim), he likely has a lot of insulin floating around in his body compared to a non-diabetic individual.

I've never trained or given nutritional advice to a diabetic as of yet but that's what I can think of atm.

BabyFaceAssasin

03-12-2011, 07:41 AM

Did you take any measurements? Specifically waist?

If all his lifts have gone up by 12lb in 3 weeks (which is pretty awesome) that means for sure he must have lost fat and gained some muscle. This is where taking measurments would have come in handy. Check the body fat % after 4 weeks. If it's lower then that means he just lost fat and gained muscle.

Own3r

03-12-2011, 01:19 PM

The fact that your client is 69 years old. Thats your answer IMO ;)

Most people find it hard to lose weight in later life due a slowing metabolism. It doesnt mean they cant lose weight, its just means it may take that little bit longer. Also, your client is suffering from a metabolic illness anyway (diabetes, im presuming type 2?) which doesnt help either. Just give it another few weeks. If there is still no response in terms of weight loss after a total of 4-6 weeks then you should advise the client to seek a doctors advice just to make sure something out of your control as a trainer (e.g. prescribed medicines) arent playing apart ;)

Its actually his doc that referred him to me, specifically to lose weight, also said he does not have any digestive tract problems aside constipation that had no apparent cause.

I would assume it has to do with him having a lower metabolism due to age/inactivity and the insulin/medications he is taking for his diabetes. Insulin promotes fat storage as well so that likely has a lot to do with it. From my knowledge if he is T2 diabetic(seems that way as he is fat, not slim), he likely has a lot of insulin floating around in his body compared to a non-diabetic individual.

I've never trained or given nutritional advice to a diabetic as of yet but that's what I can think of atm.

I will see if perhaps making him eat less carbs will help the fat loss.

Did you take any measurements? Specifically waist?

If all his lifts have gone up by 12lb in 3 weeks (which is pretty awesome) that means for sure he must have lost fat and gained some muscle. This is where taking measurments would have come in handy. Check the body fat % after 4 weeks. If it's lower then that means he just lost fat and gained muscle.

ITs actually 15lb 5 each week (typo) so the progress is there. He used to be with another trainer 3 months ago and gained 25lb since. I did take all the measurements so will do another assessment next week.

bigw10921

03-12-2011, 06:32 PM

I am amazed at all the answers..Number 1,,we are not supposed to be delivering nutrition advice in the first place...Number 2..the client is diabetic,,unless you are an RD you are risking a major law suit should something happen.Registered Dieticians go to school for at least 4 years to get licensed to take care of people with metabloic conditions..Did you????be very careful

nsiegel5

03-12-2011, 06:46 PM

I gotta tell you messing with a diabetics carb intake when youre really just shooting from the hip is not the best business practice. I would definately refer any dietary changes through a RD or his PCP, godforbid something real bad happens because your diet advice.
I think you are a little too bothered by an almost irrelevant number on a scale.
Control what you can control, change his exercise routine if its not working and go back and take measurements. Im almost never interested in what a client weighs and in fact 9/10 times I dont weigh them unless they beg for it. The tape measure body fat calipers and progress pictures are your best friends. I could care less if my client gains ten pounds if they start looking better performing better and feeling better.

JOSEF RAKICH

03-12-2011, 09:46 PM

- Lower calorie intake
- Increase cardio

Own3r

03-12-2011, 11:47 PM

Guys I am a nutritionist, and I am licensed. I am not really putting him on an extraordinary diet. just trying to make any possible adjustments to speed up the process.

Keltron

03-13-2011, 05:58 AM

That comes out o 1720 calories, how much does he weigh roughly?

But yeah, I wouldn't be concerned about a span as short as 3 weeks.

Own3r

03-13-2011, 07:40 AM

That comes out o 1720 calories, how much does he weigh roughly?

But yeah, I wouldn't be concerned about a span as short as 3 weeks.

He is 220, so by all means he should be losing hehe. I attribute the stagnation to the constant constipation though, so looking at more veggies now.

aman88

03-13-2011, 08:25 AM

He is 220, so by all means he should be losing hehe. I attribute the stagnation to the constant constipation though, so looking at more veggies now.

a lot of people have NO concept of how much they are actually eating and portion sizes. chances are he is not eating the way hes telling you he is.

workhard9

03-13-2011, 08:32 AM

He is not eating enough. Eating under your BMR will cause your metabolism to slow down and body fat to store, also muscle mass will be lost.

Start him out on this -

Have him eat BMR + 300 calories a day spread over five meals. 40/40/20 ratio Protein/Carb/Fat. Make sure he is hydrated

Cardio

Time = 30 mins
HR= 140-160
Frequency = 4x a week

He's a 69 year old diabetic. And contrary to popular belief there is tons of research proving that meals spread out through the day doesn't burn more fat, it's still my preference to spread the out the meals though.

Correct me if i'm wrong but couldn't the reason he might not be losing weight be because insulin blunts fat burning and he's gotta shoot it up everyday?

workhard9

03-13-2011, 08:37 AM

Guys I am a nutritionist, and I am licensed. I am not really putting him on an extraordinary diet. just trying to make any possible adjustments to speed up the process.

Hey correct me if I'm wrong cause I'm not completely sure, but doesn't insulin blunt fat burning? And he's gotta shoot it up everyday so that might have something to do with it

Own3r

03-13-2011, 02:09 PM

Hey correct me if I'm wrong cause I'm not completely sure, but doesn't insulin blunt fat burning? And he's gotta shoot it up everyday so that might have something to do with it

It does not necessarily blunt fat burning, rather it promotes fat storage, unless the dose is higher then advised at which point it becomes the most anabolic substance, hence the use in bodybuilding.

In case of my client he does not shoot any slin, rather he takes medication to control the release and management of insulin.

workhard9

03-13-2011, 04:44 PM

It does not necessarily blunt fat burning, rather it promotes fat storage, unless the dose is higher then advised at which point it becomes the most anabolic substance, hence the use in bodybuilding.

In case of my client he does not shoot any slin, rather he takes medication to control the release and management of insulin.

Oh alright! Thanks for the info! Yeah I knew it became anabolic at a certain point but I thought it also blunted fat burning. Well thanks for the info, you'll be repped!

Own3r

03-13-2011, 07:07 PM

No problem bro :)

ger2oo5

03-14-2011, 04:48 AM

In case of my client he does not shoot any slin, rather he takes medication to control the release and management of insulin.
What medication? You didnt mention this earlier mate. Diabetes medicine is notorious for causing weight gain/management issues.

Own3r

03-14-2011, 04:57 AM

What medication? You didnt mention this earlier mate. Diabetes medicine is notorious for causing weight gain/management issues.

We managed to cut the dose in half so far while keeping the blood sugar levels stable, that was lat the end of the week before last so hopefully we will see some progress now.

ger2oo5

03-14-2011, 05:08 AM

If the client is type 2, the diabetes is reversible. Im guessing this is why the meds were reduced to half, because of the effects of the client training with you and following a decent diet :)

You could try adding something like "better control of blood sugar" to the clients goals list. This would give the client something "tangible" to work towards whilst taking the emphasis off just the weight issue. Obviously, to reduce bodyweight or to control type 2 better, exercise and diet are key and therefore work hand in hand.

Im just thinking to keep your client motivated ;)

Good Luck!

Boom782

03-14-2011, 05:26 AM

I am quite surprised that only 1 person so far has mentioned muscle GAIN. If this person hasn't been involved in a workout routine in a long time, then it is VERY possible he put on some muscle and that is why the scale hasn't moved. Especially if his lifts gained almost 15lbs each.

I make it very clear when I start with a new client that sometimes the scale doesn't move as fast as they would like due to 'noobie' gains. That is why I take bf% and measurements. I have seen it many times were a client doesn't lose a pound but can lose 1-2%bf in a month.

shredorded

03-14-2011, 05:20 PM

I've had a few clients that have lost 5-8% body fat in the first month or so but havent lost any lbs due to muscle gain. Probably the case with your client

Own3r

03-14-2011, 05:30 PM

Did a bodyfat test today and he lost almost 4%, so we are all joyful and happy now :D

Thanks a lot to everyone in this thread! Love this forum for the great support and camaraderie!

Boom782

03-14-2011, 05:57 PM

Did a bodyfat test today and he lost almost 4%, so we are all joyful and happy now :D

Thanks a lot to everyone in this thread! Love this forum for the great support and camaraderie!

Nice!