TeamRH

[theeyeroller]

As a current member, I have felt so fed up with the group! Finally, somewhere where you can discuss issues and not get shut down for having an opinion that differs from the cult of TRH. I do feel it’s become like a cult, full of sycophants and woe betide the non believers.

*Long Post*
I do not have any issue with the concept of the plan. I think it’s obvious to state that every individual burns calories at differing rates and requires a calorie deficit specific to them for it to work.
My own experience was that I had been diagnosed as pre- diabetic, whilst not grossly overweight by most people’s standards, I was classed as obese by the NHS for my height. I managed to very, very slowly lose weight using MFP but still had a stone and a half to lose. I’d watched Richie and his page for many years and decided to join up.

I was set a calorie amount which I thought was way to high but I thought, maybe I’ve been eating too little and that’s why I’ve stalled? Set my steps at 10k and workout 3 times a week. Off we go...
I put weight on from the very first week. I upped my steps... they upped my calories... I upped my workouts and they wanted to up my calories. After 2 months and no weight loss.. ( bearing in mind I’m now half a stone heavier than when I started), I asked for help. The help was forthcoming but it wasn’t err, helpful. I spoke to a coach, their ‘top coach’ who went through all my data on MFP and the app. I had been the perfect client and tracked everything and she couldn’t find fault with anything apart from I’d added a slice of brown bread but hadn’t weighed it... twice. She told me tracking generically would cost me a lot of calories long term doing this. She also told me there was nothing wrong with what I was eating/drinking/ exercising and to stick at it. I explained I was legitimately concerned I’d gained weight and it wasn’t budging. I was also worried that I was in fact now maintaining considering all the exercise I was doing ( well over 15k a day on most days). She said it was likely muscle gains. She told me to trust the plan. So I did.
Cut to just after 3 months and now working out 5 times a week ( resistance training), 15k a day steps. No weight lost. Muscle definition coming through but my waist is getting bigger and so is my stomach. I contact the coaches and as I’d done progress pictures, I felt the undeniable truth was there for them to see. I was told they could see a difference. ( Yes, I’d got fatter!! ) When I asked them to specify where they saw physical differences in the pictures, they didn’t answer me. They told me to do more steps... and tried to make me up my calories and I refused. I pointed out I was now back to my dangerous pre diabetic weight and i had concerns about my health. I told them I’d had to buy bigger clothes as I couldn’t fit in old ones.
I felt the responses were literally cut and pasted from a data base of TRH material. Look at this video... follow these rules... absolutely felt like they didn’t have the expertise to address my very individual concerns. Found out that the coach is not qualified. Just someone who uses TRH and works out a lot by the look of it. No one ever said.. go and get checked at your Dr, this is unusual or anything remotely like that. Just stick to the plan. I had to negotiate to drop my calorie amount down to 1400 ( lowering my exercise days and steps) and when I said I wasn’t losing I was told that it was impossible not to Lose weight at 1400 calories, and Equating this amount to something a 7 year old child would Eat. So I was told to stick at it and get back in touch in 2 weeks.
Well I haven’t, I am so utterly disillusioned with their approach. I am doing it on my own again. As someone who gave it their all for 3 months I feel as though I didn’t fit Richies data “algorithm’ and no one could tell me why. Still
Paying as a member.
Due to his controlling nature I couldn’t even find members to speak to for their experiences, as he squashed the calorie clubs. His ego is out of control and I can’t bear to read the POD posts. It’s so false.

I’m outraged on your behalf, especially as you’ve paid good money and taken all the advice and the person advising you isn’t even properly qualified, it’s disgraceful. Everyone is different and some people need fewer calories to successfully lose weight. Personally i would rather eat less calories and not have to jump around a room like a hyperactive child, but it seems that everyone on team RH would rather run around like the Duracell bunny so they can scoff another few hundred calories a day! Maybe i’m just lazy!

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Apart from as a PT does he have any other qualifications for diet and nutrition? He goes on as if he's the only person in the world who fully understands how the body burns calories

 

[ChubClubThug]

So I cancelled ages ago, they gave tried to contact me twice, but I've blocked them, emails go to spam, but No more lately and wondering is it because I've an Irish bank ACC do they realize they haven't a hope?

They can't even provide a decent contract. They're trying to hold us on a contract that is designed for gym memberships, where you physically go and attend the business. I'm not sure of the laws on distance online coaching, but surely if you're not consuming their content, or in possession of their app they can't charge you or hold you to it?? They're not sending us anything monthly, their coaching is reliant on another app not even owned by them. They rely on their clients being in a fb group! It's pathetic. They don't have to take out insurances to distance coach. They don't even coach they just swear. It's a load of bollocks.

 

[Moodles]

Pulling up a chair as I’m interested to see what people have to say.

I can’t complain personally at the moment as I haven’t had any issues but hearing what a few others have said has opened my eyes. I must admit though that I don’t like how when they started out they were all about not trying to sell and push things like protein powders on people and now they have their own range of protein powder. They seem to have changed over the years but not in a good way and are now making money on the things they used to slate others for.

 

[rememberwayne]

I don't know why anyone would want to be associated with that. The only thing that would motivate me to do is steer clear of someone so unprofessional, how else does this manifest itself in the rest of their business? If this is them putting their best face forward then what's their worst?
You don't need to have a high level of intelligence by any means but think before you post, think beyond the realms of your own train of thought. Take it Richie manages their IG account? Someone else should take the reigns.

He does not celebrate his own birthday and has even convinced his partner to do the same (certainly in previous years). He does not understand how people do not put their diet ahead of happiness, friends and family. What an utter sociopath!

I'm not offended by it either but i think the thing about shitty areseholes is just going too far. I can't see him attracting new custom by talking like that and people will definitely leave so it will have a negative effect on his buisness.

Unfortunately some lap it up and are still under their spell. That IG post looks like it has been written by an 11 year old chav

Agreed!
I also saw the track your kids post on FB using whatsapp and thought I wonder if that's how he keeps tabs on Rach?
He's all about control!

I do not know how people can't see it, they are the absolute opposite of couple goals in my opinion.

 

[twinkleunicorn]

I don’t even know who Emma is??? There certainly aren’t many affiliates left (not decent ones anyway, they’re all over on Preece Nutrition ) Apparently he was really controlling with the affiliates regarding what they posted, even things like their appearance when doing lives.

I’m quite new to the whole TeamRH ‘thing’ and they are the only ones who seemed to pop up. Emma was gifted a years membership and Crissie...well I’m not sure! Neither are qualified coaches, yet regularly popped up doing exercise slots! I unfollowed when he started telling people to take scales with them when they eat out

 

[Lilith91]

#2 Team RH: Tyrant, Egotistical, Argumentative, Megalomaniac = Richie Howey.

 

[Whatsallthis]

I’ve seen people suggest portable ‘handbag’ scales for when out and about. That’s just too far imo.

 

[theeyeroller]

The problem with his plan is it’s too much too soon for the average dieter.

For the average person who wants help losing weight (the majority of which have come from other diet groups such as SW, WW etc and/or have limited knowledge on the what why’s and how’s calories in vs calories out or are just a bit lost), the massive amount of information and macro detail is just unnecessary, overwhelming and not fit for purpose.

I hate to give them a business plan idea, but if they want to appeal and really work they need to look at different levels.
1) average person who wants to lose weight and needs encouragement to move more = realistic calorie amount/realistic deficit based on cals only and a max 10k steps a day.
2) person who has nailed step one and has hit a plateau, stuck in a rut, bored or is ready to increase fitness or who already has a very high step count daily = introduction to basic macros but with realistic targets and increased steps/workouts
3) those experienced in training/exercise, whether that be runners or they go to the gym a lot etc, or those who want to become leaner not just slimmer = increased calories (due to training expectations) with much more detailed macros to support their training with personalised fitness plans along with it.

They also need to get some fucking empathy, take on constructive feedback, evolve and drop the shitty attitude.

He fits into number 3 and expects 64 year old Jean from up the road who’s been on SW for the last 15 years to suddenly start tracking her fucking protein - which probably equals 22 chicken breasts for breakfast - and to do 15k steps even though she’s just had her knee replaced. He’s fucking clueless and can’t see past his own nose.

Well said! I don’t think the average overweight person needs to bother about macros or try to hit that many steps, it’s too much pressure!

 

[theeyeroller]

I can’t believe he’s demanding doctor’s letters now, he’s becoming like a pumped up, macro counting, Geordie Hitler! The service he provides isn’t that great so people should be allowed to cancel!

 

[Holilamp]

Welcome to the Team rh cult!! His disciples will shoot you down if you dare to diagree with their Master!!

I know , last week i was on te fb group every 2seconds panicking or posting but now ive gone quiet on there and not really looking. Richie just seems so aggressive and lacks common sense - and hes not interested in uncovering why people feel eating unhealthy is cheaper of pressurising the government to change things, no hes just slagging them off. Really annoys me.

Christ, sounds like it's got worse if that's possible! They are really toxic. Denying yourself anything is literally diet culture, the very thing they take the piss out of. I stopped using his ridiculous methods of stressing over fibre and protein, I have counted my cals 100%, without walking a million steps a day and I'm losing weight very easily on a good budget of 1600cals. A lot quicker and a more pleasant experience, than his suggested 1800 cals and a bare min of 5000 steps.

It IS a cult and his members are so desperate to be part of the cool kids, not many will pipe up and say how they really feel.

It really is. They preach no food is banned and i really fancied a kfc. Been wanting it for 2weeks and posted on geoup that i was gonna have 1. A few members wers nornal and said enjoy, 1 said i shouldnt have treats until i nail my macros and once i nail my macros i wont want kfc anyway. So bottom line is i ahoulsnt have kfc. I did anyway.

I think to be fair some of the barshit advice comes grom menvers not rh but surely as an admin its his role to stop those discussions? When someone is stepping next to their sleeping child surely its down to him to say enough is enough? When someone is obsessed with getting their steps even when injured he should say something? He shouldnt be encoursgung people to get up earlier or go to bed later for steps - sleep is important!! When members post aboyt considering white rice in shite allowance he should say something, and when someone says they struggles with steps they shouldnt be called lazy! Ill do around 11k today. I had a day off and a lie in. I walkes to and from supermarket and its started to snow. I might go for a walk before bed as it calms me and is healthier than wine. Im gonna try and be more realistic- ive been drawn into members saying to step during lunch, step at break, step step step, that my work productivity has actually gone down and i hate myself for lying in and not going for a walk before work. This week im putting work first. Ill still do walk in lunchtime and after work but i aint gonna stress. Last week i went walking in the snow for 'steps' and almost broke my neck lol.

There are some supportive people too. What i dont like is being told to weigh wraps, crackers, breads, chocolate bars etc rsther tjan entering 1 slice or whatever. I understand weighing cheese etc but weighing out a ham sarnie yogurt snd can of coke individually just takes twice as long.
I do also think his tough talking as he calls it has a place but he takes it too far. Rather than mentioning chocolate starfishes and calling us all lazy and deluded, he could make a post about how eating healthily can be seen as more expensive but hefes tbe benefits, some people spend xxx on takeaway, nd heres some tips if ypure on ypur uppers/cant afford leccy/ link to jack monroe, while acknowledging if you live a life of poverty not to feel guilty at seeking comfort through food. He (and many posters) come across as middle class people whove not had to struggle too hard; certainty bet RH has never walked 2miles in rain to and from ahop with screaming children, got ome and soaked lentils in a freezing flat only to have the kid refise to eat it and then cry at bedtime as theyre hungry. He just comes across as ignorant - yes all us fatties waste cash on takeaway and whine at the cost of blueberries arent we knobs ha ha ha.

Their protein powder isnt fab eiher. I bought a pack as struggling with protein and the fb group would have us believe its better than cadburys. I mean its alrigjt, and its not awful, but it tastes like those cheapo powders you use to make instant hot choc..certainly not as good as cadburys.

The plan i do like, but i think rh attitude is way off and he needs to take responsibility for what goes in the group too as it is dangerous

 

[Bae56]

It's laughable how they seem to think they're enlightening the world with their discovery of calorie deficit, therefore everyone is beneath them it's a basic function of the body.

 

[Jossylovesmoss65]

Just found this thread. It’s shocking to here everyone’s bad experiences.
It’s funny I was looking at their fb page and I noticed they don’t have reviews activated. I believe this is because on Facebook negative reviews cannot be deleted and also fake “good” reviews are harder to detect.
move never known a good strong business to deactivate the review option on their social media page. I’m a business owner myself and my fb reviews are important in the portrayal of my business

Another example of how he has to have total control over everything, his mantra was 'no fucking moaning ' so even if you are unhappy about any aspects of his 'plan' you are not allowed to voice your opinions.
Totally onesided!

 

[theeyeroller]

Tough love shouldn't be used as a blanket approach. It only works for certain people & certain situations. It can't be applied to everyone all of the time. He doesn't know the members on a personal level.

There's a whole host of emotions involved when you're overweight, if someone is following a plan (your plan) & asking for help you give them positive encouragement & don't just reiterate what they already know in a harsh/humiliating manner. Without their members they're nothing.

I was at my peak health & fitness wise but after kids & chronic illness I'm the worst I've been. I had an abundance of time & energy to spend in the gym & prep meals. I don't have that luxury anymore. Kids come first & I come last. People's lives are bigger & more complex than getting your steps in & with all the will in the world, sometimes it just doesn't happen.

Well said, it’s the members who are paying their bills so he should treat them with more respect. There’s tough love then there’s just being a douche!

Being overweight is a constant mental, emotional and physical battle. Some people who really struggle need a kinder approach. I’m exactly the same as you, I’m not the priority any more, my kids are and that’s absolutely how it should be. I would like to lose a bit of weight but I don’t want my kids to have a mum who prioritises working out over their needs and makes them think they need to weigh out every gram of food.

 

[Twinkle6]

What the flying fuck did I just read?

there’s a sub group that takes it even further?!

my . God

 

[Blancmange]

I can honestly say I've not once come across another online fitness group/page etc that will tie you into a year long contract. That's the biggest teller to me.. it's definitely all about the money.

 

[Droosie123]

I agree you have the choice to pay up front or pay monthly. It tells you how much it will be..you pay for your calorie allowance and the info.

You also pay for access to an app which doesn't always work efficiently or effectively.

 

[Jossylovesmoss65]

A bad review on trustpilot, hes not gonna be happy with that!!

 

[flibble123]

Is there anyway that you can prove they have broken the contract? (Not sure what the contract is)

They have disclaimers about speaking to a medical professional if you have an eating disorder. That being said, when I repeatedly told the coaches I’d had disordered eating in the past, I got a lot of “oh that’s tough” type comments and no mention of speaking to my dr. Unlike when I asked if it was safe for my son to have protein powder and they immediately said that I shouldn’t without a drs advice, I was only asking as they encourage you to bake with it and I’d seen baking el saying more protein is probably a good thing for most kids etc... they are all so unqualified to be giving any advice honestly.

Show em who's boss

Thank you so much for your advice. This is all a chore.

 

[flibble123]

Is there any regulators for his line of work? He needs reported.
On one hand I want to say no disrespect to anyone who likes his nasty, low, childish instagram posts because I'm sure they must be a little dim themselves but on the other hand all they're doing is encouraging it so they're part of the problem.

He's like a toddler, act out, get a reaction, repeat. The man has deep rooted insecurities and he's projecting his miserable insecurities onto anyone who feels is vulnerable enough to become a victim. He's a sad man.

Unfortunately the fitness/wellness industry is wildly unregulated. Hence why they can sell skinny teas and lollipops and all sorts of useless shit. He makes fun of that stuff, but also uses it all to his advantage by getting away with a lot of nonsensical and over the top claims himself.