Hey everyone. I have only recently joined a gym and started exercising.
Unfortunately, I do not yet know any of the theoretical side of exercise and
nutrition, so I thought I might ask my questions here as a start. If you
couldn't be bothered explaining the answer to me, but could point me towards
some information that would, I would be equally grateful.
O.K., I have two main questions.
1. a) I prefer to do as much exercise as I can handle, rather than the bare
minimum. However, I have heard that muscles grow in the time that they are
resting, so you should never exercise the same muscle group two days in a
row, and that doing so can actually decrease your muscle mass. I want to
know if I can do upper weights + cardio (bike, walker, stepper) on Day 1 and
then do lower weights on Day 2. Would the cardio from the previous day make
it a bad idea to do lower weights on the next day?
b) I think that fairly soon I would be capable of doing upper weights +
cardio on Day 1, then lower weights + cardio on Day 2 (and then repeating).
The program I was given actually goes Upper - Cardio - Lower - Cardio (then
repeat, always one type of exercise a day ). As I said I would prefer to do
more if my body is able, but if I found out doing more was not beneficial I
would change my mind. What do you guys think?
2. I know nothing about nutrition. I don't even understand carbohydrates or
protein etc. Would it be better to learn from a library book rather than
websites? If so, could someone please recommend a good book(s) that would
explain to me the functions of the different types of food categories, how
much someone should have daily, and then give me a good idea as to how I
should eat to maximise energy for working out while not taking in
unnecessary fat?
For anyone who bothers to reply, thanks a lot in advance.
Unfortunately, I do not yet know any of the theoretical side of exercise and
nutrition, so I thought I might ask my questions here as a start. If you
couldn't be bothered explaining the answer to me, but could point me towards
some information that would, I would be equally grateful.
O.K., I have two main questions.
1. a) I prefer to do as much exercise as I can handle, rather than the bare
minimum. However, I have heard that muscles grow in the time that they are
resting, so you should never exercise the same muscle group two days in a
row, and that doing so can actually decrease your muscle mass. I want to
know if I can do upper weights + cardio (bike, walker, stepper) on Day 1 and
then do lower weights on Day 2. Would the cardio from the previous day make
it a bad idea to do lower weights on the next day?
b) I think that fairly soon I would be capable of doing upper weights +
cardio on Day 1, then lower weights + cardio on Day 2 (and then repeating).
The program I was given actually goes Upper - Cardio - Lower - Cardio (then
repeat, always one type of exercise a day ). As I said I would prefer to do
more if my body is able, but if I found out doing more was not beneficial I
would change my mind. What do you guys think?
2. I know nothing about nutrition. I don't even understand carbohydrates or
protein etc. Would it be better to learn from a library book rather than
websites? If so, could someone please recommend a good book(s) that would
explain to me the functions of the different types of food categories, how
much someone should have daily, and then give me a good idea as to how I
should eat to maximise energy for working out while not taking in
unnecessary fat?
For anyone who bothers to reply, thanks a lot in advance.