Thursday 13 August 2020

Certified Weight Loss Specialist

Rather than remain idle during these times of lock down and social distancing I have tried to keep my brain occupied. I am now certified as a Weight Loss Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). It took me slightly over 2 months to complete the online study modules and then successfully write the exam.

Here are some of the highlights of the course:
  • Obesity is a growing problem in in industrialized nations. Pun intended.
  • Children are becoming overweight and obese in alarming numbers. Electronic gadgets and games have supplanted physical play time.
  • Extreme diet and exercise programs are rarely sustainable.
  • To lose weight a person must expend more calories than they intake. A combination of diet and exercise works best.
  • Weight loss plateaus occur when calories in equals calories out.
  • Macronutrients; carbohydrates, protein, fat, should be kept within suggested guidelines.
  • Diets that favor one macronutrient over another are not based on sound science.
  • Nutrient dense food should be chosen over energy dense food.
  • Junk food should be limited but the course stresses that in terms of weight loss a calorie is a calorie! The type of calorie is important but the real key is Energy In versus Energy Out. 
Fitness Trainer Greg Harvey of FitNWell in Edmonton has helpfully critiqued the course content. He disagrees that a calorie is a calorie. He also says that there is much more to the story than Energy In versus Energy Out. "Donuts and bon bons are not the same on insulin levels as vegetables and whole grains." The course also had less emphasis on the timing of meals. Greg says that circadian eating is a recent dietary strategy that should not be discounted and offers up some video references. 


Greg, as always, your advice is logical. Just don't expect me to rewrite the exam!

***It should be noted that making nutritional and diet plans is beyond the scope of Fitness Trainers unless they have a science degree and a Registered Dietitian designation. Fitness Trainers can give general advice and offer the client resources such as the Canada Food Guide or MyPlate......(No! Skip the Dishes is not a food reference resource) The Fitness Trainer should also be prepared to refer the client to an RDA....or professional dietitian. However, such courses can be helpful since the exercise parameter and the nutrition parameter work better in synchronicity.   

Now that I have this newfound knowledge, let's attack those jelly bellies - starting with mine! Point me to the proper food guide instead of the pizza menu.

Little Bobby Strong
Certified Weight Loss Specialist

Time to put this new certificate to work.
My World Strongest Man diet plan is falling 
short of my weight loss goals.


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