Good Fitness Habits for a Newbie?

T

TeaKick

0
Hey folks,

New to the forums, and I've got a few questions.

Quick background - I jog 3-4 times a week between 3 and 8 miles, depending on my schedule, and do some cycling for groceries, library runs, things like that. As a 6'2" and 190 lbs. male I'm not wildly obese, but there's definitely a gut and a kind of "softness" there that I want to get rid of. I've been focusing on jogging in my fitness routine to lose weight before I move to include some weights, but I still feel like I could be developing some better habits.

What kinds of books and websites should I look at to really develop some good workout habits? Like-

How should I mix jogging and weight lifting at the gym?
What are good snacks pre and post work out?
How much is too much exercise?
What kinds of serious goals should I be setting for myself?

I've peeked around the library and internet, but there's so, so much material I'm not sure where to start, and most of it is focused on people who spend a lot more time and mental energy on fitness than I do. For me, getting in shape is an end, not a means (sadly) but I'd still like to do it right. So where can I go for some good introductory information?

Cheers
 
1. I read a report that said people who ran then did weights had a higher post exercise oxygen consumption then those who did weights then ran, which would mean a higher metabolism.

2. Good snacks pre and post work outs are nuts (in small quantities), eggs if you feel like cooking, etc. Just something small and with protein.

3. Too much exercise in my opinion as far as cardio is concerned is more than say 5 miles. 4 miles is a good work out, but I could recommend you read the sub forum for HIIT in the running and cycling forum, you could read about HIIT and its benefits over what I imagine your doing right now as "steady-state cardio".

4. As far as serious goals, I'm 6' 2" like you and weight 170 lbs, but during the summer when I was running 4.75 miles and swimming 3500 yards, I was down to 164 lbs. It is hard to keep that weight for me because I was having to do 2 hours of cardio (30 mins run 1.5 hours swim) basically everyday over the summer. 170 lbs has been manageable for me, I do HIIT 3-4 days a week and weights 3 days a week.
When I was losing weight, I didn't set a goal weight, I told myself I was going to lose it until I felt like I no longer needed to lose it and I looked and felt great. look around this forum to get info or just on the internet elsewhere. Whats most important is that you do the exercise and you can maintain it, I don't think a normal person can run 8 miles 4 days a week and do it for longer then a few months before they get burned out, so keep your work outs realistic, because consistency is more important than intensity in the long run.
 
Yeah I think swimming will definatly help tone up your body. - I know it sounds odd but try making sure you eat breakfast - if you don't already - make it low fat. This will get your bodys system going early in the day and make sure you burn maximum calories off.
 
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