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If the pool is swimmable, that's good exercise that won't strain your joints.
I've started swimming about a year ago for exercise and (hopefully) weight loss. Swimming for at least an hour five to seven days a week for almost a year and I didn't lose any weight. Did get more toned and it was interesting to feel the different muscle groups reporting for duty as the swimming progressed. Kinda seemed they start from the extremities and then work inwards. Might be different for you, but that's what it seemed to me.
Still didn't lose any weight even after months of swimming until I started 'portion control'. Doesn't really matter what, for me, it's all about how much. I bought some vintage Fire King dishes (if it won't fit in the dish, I can't eat it) which are about half the size of our current dishes and now the weight is finally coming off. Still pretty slow, but at least it's heading in the right direction.
Congrats on joining the gym! Having a routine for working out is great and it imparts a healthy structure to life. You'll notice pretty quickly how much better you feel, physically and mentally. I go to the gym Tues-Thurs-Sun; and then light running/walking Mon-Wed-Fri. Half the battle is just showing up -- once I'm there, I do some short cardio on the recumbent bike or treadmill to warm up (only about 10-15 minutes), then a few hand weights; and then the machines. Having the machines or universal makes it easy because you just do it and they work all the different muscle groups. I'm in and out in under an hour. Always feel better afterwards and think more clearly. Doing the weights/machines improves metabolism and increases insulin sensitivity (the opposite of insulin resistance which can lead to diabetes).
Your gym sounds great and not busy. Go at least twice a week -- three times would be ideal (with a day in between so your muscles can rest and repair).
jeesh. walk. walk. walk and oh, did i mention? WALK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i once weighed 230 around 25 years ago, when i found out i had cancer, i divorced my ex pro-se right from my hospital bed, and once out of the hospital, despite eating myself thru the highly contentious divorce, no lie, i ate nonstop. truly....but i walked. walked and walked and walked.
i started out slowly, a half mile, then a mile, after only a month we were up to 5 miles religiously 5 days a week. the pounds fell off, despite the 3,000 calories a day i was eating..... not only that, i lost inches, EVERYTHING SHRANK.
In just four months i went from a size 22 down to a sleek size 12, and mind you, that was while dealing with all the stress by eating.
They key to it for me was: get a walking buddy. sign a pact. pinkie swear. whatever. both of you vow that there are NO EXCUSES, NOT WEATHER, (remember, you are not the wicked witch of the west and rain will not dissolve you) NOT A FUNERAL IN THE FAMILY. NOTHING gets in the way of the one hour walk. It keeps you honest. on track. focused. committed.
Why would anyone work out in a stuffy smelly sweaty gym, waiting for a machine???? GET OUT AND WALK!!!! (can't afford weights? even a two liter bottle of soda can be a weightlifting miracle.
Hi all:
I ride a bike a couple of times a week around town. I walk around in my classroom a lot. (I'm a 54 year old male high school teacher). But other than those two exercise-y things, that's it for movement and physical activity for me, pretty much for the last half decade.
I am 5'9", 250 lbs, divorced in the past year, and have become a lazy, beer-drinking, bar-food-eating slug. Five years ago I weighed 50 lbs. less (a pound a month....) Enough's enough.
There are two gyms in town....one at the small college in my small town: always packed (cause it's way cheap), lines for machines and free weights, and based more on socializing than exercising in our town. The other one is nice but forgotten, with a small therapy pool, nautilus machines and free weights, and 24/7 access year round via key fob. And virtually empty: everyone in town thinks it's strictly for the hospital and physical therapy so hardly anyone one is a "member". I frankly don't know how they stay in business...it's always empty. I'm joining that one. Time to get it done.
Once upon a time...back in the 90's I was a gym member in another town. Not since then though, and I've never been a "jock" at any point in my life. I'm smart enough to not "push it" and get injured, but what other advice do you all have for "someone like me." Yes, my commitment level right now is a serious one. One thing I've always had is will power, IF I put my mind to it. I finally am at that point.
I join tomorrow at 4 pm. Thoughts and comments and links to sites encouraged. Because I'm pretty much flying blind here. What should my gym days be like? Diet? earbud tunes? time allotted? Etc etc etc etc
thanks all....
Whatever you are drinking at most meals, stop. Get yourself some flavored carbonated water instead. I've been doing it for months. You can't go wrong with zero calories and natural flavoring. I prefer the La Croix waters in various flavors.
As was mentioned once before, see your doctor. Possibly get a full physical. Lots of websites will give you workout routines but they are generic and one size does not fit everybody. Sometimes people confuse body building with overall health and fitness. Weight training is important but volume and intensity is relative. How much weight you lift or push means nothing. You are not competing with anyone but yourself. Nobody will ever be impressed or care how much you can lift other than yourself. Keep the weights small at first as an injury can ruin your day and some can linger for a long time.
If your gym has some basic classes join them. Its a good start.
Keep a daily log. I keep a log of my exercise routine each day along with a list of everything I eat. (the calories I consume).
You cant remember everything or be accurate trying to count calories in your head. The log will show you the problems in your diet and where to make changes.
Your bike is a major plus. Ride more often.
Post a sign on your fridge. (nothing tastes as good as skinny feels).
Cheering for you man. Make excercising part of your life. Reduce soda, sugar,bread and alcohol. Besides gym, do some other activity sometimes - swimming, running.....And watch for your health man.
Hi all:
I ride a bike a couple of times a week around town. I walk around in my classroom a lot. (I'm a 54 year old male high school teacher). But other than those two exercise-y things, that's it for movement and physical activity for me, pretty much for the last half decade.
I am 5'9", 250 lbs, divorced in the past year, and have become a lazy, beer-drinking, bar-food-eating slug. Five years ago I weighed 50 lbs. less (a pound a month....) Enough's enough.
There are two gyms in town....one at the small college in my small town: always packed (cause it's way cheap), lines for machines and free weights, and based more on socializing than exercising in our town. The other one is nice but forgotten, with a small therapy pool, nautilus machines and free weights, and 24/7 access year round via key fob. And virtually empty: everyone in town thinks it's strictly for the hospital and physical therapy so hardly anyone one is a "member". I frankly don't know how they stay in business...it's always empty. I'm joining that one. Time to get it done.
Once upon a time...back in the 90's I was a gym member in another town. Not since then though, and I've never been a "jock" at any point in my life. I'm smart enough to not "push it" and get injured, but what other advice do you all have for "someone like me." Yes, my commitment level right now is a serious one. One thing I've always had is will power, IF I put my mind to it. I finally am at that point.
I join tomorrow at 4 pm. Thoughts and comments and links to sites encouraged. Because I'm pretty much flying blind here. What should my gym days be like? Diet? earbud tunes? time allotted? Etc etc etc etc
thanks all....
Signing up is the easy part.
Actually going on a regular basis is the tough part.
I would start with 45 min of treadmill per visit. Running and walking in 5 or 10 minute intervals.
I'd start by taking it easy for the first few weeks. Don't want to over-stress your heart. During that time slowly improve your diet. I'd focus on light weightlifting and more cardio and then slowly switch it up towards more weightlifting. Good thing you have strong willpower. That's the toughest part of the game. G'luck.
Nope.
It's beyond lame for equipment, and the young-guy bro coaches (good guys that they are) and student-athletes monopolize it. I'm joining the gym. Tomorrow. Not a bad idea though on the surface... thanks though.
OP, if the hospital one doesn't have any trainers, I would recommend you join the cheap one for the smallest unit of time they allow (one month membership, probably, unless they give you some guest passes), and get some pointers form the free trainers. They'll put together a routine for you, and will coach you through a round or two. Once you have that, you can join the hospital one.
Although I must say, that a gym that's as much about socializing as it is about workouts wouldn't be a bad idea for a guy fresh out of a divorce. But you could try that after you get close to your weight goal, maybe. Again, you could try it on a short-term basis, to check out the socializing potential, when you feel up for that.
I've belonged to those cheap, social gyms, and I've belonged to one that was part of a physical therapy clinic, that was super cheap, and also "undiscovered", like your hospital one. I like both, for different reasons. But at the minimally-populated physical therapy one, I could really focus on my work quietly, and really get it done. They also had the best climate control, and didn't play loud, noisy music.
Hi all:
I ride a bike a couple of times a week around town. I walk around in my classroom a lot. (I'm a 54 year old male high school teacher). But other than those two exercise-y things, that's it for movement and physical activity for me, pretty much for the last half decade.
I am 5'9", 250 lbs, divorced in the past year, and have become a lazy, beer-drinking, bar-food-eating slug. Five years ago I weighed 50 lbs. less (a pound a month....) Enough's enough.
There are two gyms in town....one at the small college in my small town: always packed (cause it's way cheap), lines for machines and free weights, and based more on socializing than exercising in our town. The other one is nice but forgotten, with a small therapy pool, nautilus machines and free weights, and 24/7 access year round via key fob. And virtually empty: everyone in town thinks it's strictly for the hospital and physical therapy so hardly anyone one is a "member". I frankly don't know how they stay in business...it's always empty. I'm joining that one. Time to get it done.
Once upon a time...back in the 90's I was a gym member in another town. Not since then though, and I've never been a "jock" at any point in my life. I'm smart enough to not "push it" and get injured, but what other advice do you all have for "someone like me." Yes, my commitment level right now is a serious one. One thing I've always had is will power, IF I put my mind to it. I finally am at that point.
I join tomorrow at 4 pm. Thoughts and comments and links to sites encouraged. Because I'm pretty much flying blind here. What should my gym days be like? Diet? earbud tunes? time allotted? Etc etc etc etc
thanks all....
I just started Cardiac Rehabilitation , after having heart surgery, and I understand your concerns, I had the same concerns. I bet that the place you are going to use has people who will assist you in putting together a program to suit you. At the very least, they should have staff who will answer questions you may have.
If not, maybe start on a treadmill, at a walking pace, and work up from there. Same with stationary bikes, etc. Do not be intimidated, and think all the buff people there will be critical of you, they could care less. Just go at your own pace, and enjoy the experience.
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NOT A FUNERAL IN THE FAMILY. NOTHING gets in the way of the one hour walk. It keeps you honest. on track. focused. committed. 
