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The biggest issue people face when starting to get back into shape is continued consistency. Initially I would argue volume over intensity, at least until your habits are well established. Partake in any physical activity you can do for at least 40 minutes a day, 5 days a week, every week. It can lifting, walking, swimming, etc. Its better at this point to go light but do it 5 days a week, then to go hard for only do 2 days a week.
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 havent read other posts and my post probably wont be liked by many but my general opinion is that if you cant get your diet in order then there is little point in bothering with the gym. diet first, then gym. the amount that going to the gym assists in weight loss is negligible compared to diet.
i havent read other posts and my post probably wont be liked by many but my general opinion is that if you cant get your diet in order then there is little point in bothering with the gym. diet first, then gym. the amount that going to the gym assists in weight loss is negligible compared to diet.
Then you are assuming the only reason to workout is to lose weight. It all depends on the person. If that person is obese, they I tend to agree with you. They probably can't do that much exercise to make much of a difference until they start losing weight. It will be a slow process.
If the person's goal is primarily to get in shape, then it is a different situation. The person could be skinny and out of shape. In this situation, diet is not that critical. Start exercising, both cardio and strength training, as soon as possible.
Then you are assuming the only reason to workout is to lose weight. It all depends on the person. If that person is obese, they I tend to agree with you. They probably can't do that much exercise to make much of a difference until they start losing weight. It will be a slow process.
If the person's goal is primarily to get in shape, then it is a different situation. The person could be skinny and out of shape. In this situation, diet is not that critical. Start exercising, both cardio and strength training, as soon as possible.
i havent read other posts and my post probably wont be liked by many but my general opinion is that if you cant get your diet in order then there is little point in bothering with the gym. diet first, then gym. the amount that going to the gym assists in weight loss is negligible compared to diet.
Good point, although I'd say that being fit, regardless of weight or diet, is highly important.
I go to the gym for an hour a day six days a week and eat like a horse--particularly on days when I have long runs. I'm pretty thin. So I'd say to work out as much as you can and not eat total junk, but not really focus on diet.
Well, this has been said to death but you can work out until you're blue in the face but you arent going to see the results you want unless you change your diet. If you keep eating tons of bread and drinking a lot of beer then you wont lose much weight and unless you're an NFL running back then at 5'9" you should probably weight no more than about 170lbs +-. More fruits, veggies and eggs. Less pizza, soda pop and beer.
But good luck. You've taken initiative so you're on the right track.
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....
Your number one objective should be consistency. If you can consistently go once a week, that is better than not at all. Twice a week? Great. Don't burn yourself out by trying to bite off more than you can consistently maintain for the long term i.e. don't tell yourself you need to go 5 days a week if that is not realistic for you.
When I first started going to the gym, it was extremely helpful for me to book some sessions with a personal trainer to learn proper technique, how to use different equipment, get ideas for exercises to go into a workout, etc. I highly recommend that - it gives you some focus, helps you gain confidence, and having an appointment with another person there to meet you keeps you accountable. If you can afford to work with a trainer regularly, I found it worked for me to help me get that consistency and have a good program design.
I've been at it a little over a year now and things that were once hard are easier and my body looks different - and yet there is always more challenge - I enjoy it now. Good luck!
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