Nutrition coaching?

[runningwild]

I'm looking to start seeing a nutrition coach to help me with unsuccessful weight loss efforts.  Can anyone recommend someone in the area?

Thanks,
 Stephanie

[Sandy]

I wish I could.  There are a number of nutritionists in the area but none that are sports focused so it depends on what you're looking for.  I have dealt with a lady out of Kingston that specifically works with athletes. 

If anybody knows of someone please bring it to our attention.

[chattyfeet]

Does it have to be a nutritionist that specialized in sports??  Because I know one who works at Mindful MOvements, her name is Jill Detlor, and she is a nutrition specialist.

[Sandy]

What does she specialize in?

[chattyfeet]

nutrition!

[runningwild]

I am VERY new to running, and am currently sideline with an apparent injury (I'm having a hard time believing the physio guy....).

I am looking for someone who can help me focus on eating the right foods at the right times, in an effort to lose my last 20ish pounds.  I took up running in September, and have been off for a couple of months (and may be off for another couple if the physio dude has his way), so I don't know if a sports specific person is necessary or not.

Ultimately, I am hoping someone can analyse what I have been eating and tell me what I'm doing wrong, because the scale hasn't budged in months! (even before I became "injured").

Do you know how pricey it is to see a nutritionist?

[runningwild]

I also meant to ask if the store (Tri & Run) has any sort of analysis and/or meal planning options as a service?

[chattyfeet]

Runningwild, I don't know how much a nutrition counsellor costs but I can guarantee you it WILL NOT be cheap.  I am sure you are aware of this but weight gain is usually always caused by too many calories IN and not enough calories OUT (or burned).  Sure there are medical explanations for weight gain, but they're generally the exception and not the rule.  Plain and simple.  I think sometimes we are often looking for someone to "analyze" too much, and really it's quite simple.  Count every single calorie you eat in a day and do this for a week.  IF you are consuming less than your body requires to maintain it's current weight and still gaining, then you should definitely see a doc or a nutritionist.  But you will probably find that you are consuming too much.  And this is where willpower comes in to play.  having said that, I must say I have never been sidelined with an injury so I can imagine it must be VERY difficult.  If I had to all of a sudden stop running for an extended period of time I just KNOW I'd gain 10lbs in a month!  Because I eat, eat, eat...as a result of all the running I do.  I can't imagine all of a sudden having to STOP eating a lot of my favourites.  You aren't burning the calories you'd like to...but unfortunately that means you will need to cut the calories you're taking in.  It would be nice to find that "magic pill" or that magic "formula" but in my humble opinion I think it's the simple equation of calories in vs. calories out.  If you burn 500 calories a day, or CUT your daily intake by 500 calories each day,  while eating the right foods you should lose 1 lb a week! Good luck to you! 

[Sandy]

That's funny Chatty but what TYPE of nutrition.  There are a few RD's in the area that JUST deal with heart patients, then there are the nutritionists who deal with deficiencies only, then those that deal with people with wheat allergies.  So you can see that "nutrition" is WAY too broad of a term and when you say she is a "nutrition specialist" I would like to know WHAT area of nutrition she specializes in.

RunningWild I don't know what your injury is but if you are able to weight train, even if it's just upper or lower than the increase in muscle mass will hep to burn the 500 calories a day that Chatty speaks of.  As your activity has declined your calorie requirements have declined so if you can't run than find an activity you can do like swim, or bike along with weight training.

I have a great book on Nutrient Timing as it applies to sports nutrition (another specialty) if you want to borrow it.

[WendyM]

I have used Michelle Mueller (??) at One to One in the past and found her very helpful.
She provided me with lists of foods I should avoid when training.  Really common sense I know but sometimes you need someone else telling you what you already know.
Now when I am having difficulty with my diet I write absolutely everything down so I see how many calories and the type of calories I am taking in.  I use www.myfooddiary.com to analyze my daily intake.
Good luck.
Wendy

[runningwild]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

Sandy - this is Stephanie Anderson with the physio guy who says I have a herniated disc and therefore shouldn't run.  You showed me some stretches to do which I think have been helping.  I was in there chatting with you ladies looking for advice a few weeks ago, and I was at Barb's trigger point massage info session.  I bought the TP hip dysfunction kit, and find it has been helping alot too.  Barb did some simple tests on me, and thinks I might have piriformis syndrome.

I went for a run last week for the first time in over 2 months (I went slow and steady of course) and was in alot of pain for 2 days...hardly able to stand up straight.  I think it was definitely more than just being achy and tight...

While I understand the theory behind calories in/out, I've never been good at knowing what sorts of things to eat, and what to avoid.  I also have a hard time gauging how many calories certain things are that do not have labels.

I think what I am looking for is someone to have a look at what I am doing now, and give me an idea of what I am doing wrong.

I've always tried to eat healthy and exercise, but I am certainly no expert!  I am also the type of person that follows something better when it is laid out for me in black and white, hence why I was seeking help.

I think even some specific guidance from someone who knows more about nutrition than I do would be helpful.

[chattyfeet]

you can find the calorie content of EVERYTHING edible on the planet...right on the internet!  You have a wealth of information at your fingertips.  But I know what you mean about having it "laid out" in front of you!  I'm the same way with marathon training! 

[Sandy]

Take a look at www.weightwatchers.ca.  They don't count calories but points assigned to not only calories but also nutritional value.  They will assign you a point total based on a number of parameters, they make meal suggestions based on same, you can track your weight online and utilize your points gained through exercises.

If you don't find that helpful bring a food diary in and we can chat.

[Janet]

Hi Runningwild,
  I have found that sparkpeople.ca is also a very good website. It is run by dieticians, you can ask for meal plans, but it also lets you customize if you want more protien in your diet, or more fibre, has a vast data base of food, and lets you track your exercises, foods, has recipes, articles, forums, just a great website.