I think I need a new me, but I’m stuck on the first hurdle…

[Gavavva]

Hey everybody, let me introduce myself first. My names Gavin Stevens, I live in Shropshire, UK, and I’m a 25 year old Primary School Teacher. That’s my day job at least. When I’m home I do a combination of things, such as web and graphics design, but I’m actually also a games designer. Just over 2 months ago, I broke up with a long term partner, and I’ll be honest it’s been a shock to the system. The whole “going out and feeling good” about myself thing? I just can’t do it as well as I would want to.

Here’s the kicker. When I was in my relationship, I nearly peaked 200lb’s, which for me is a lot, way to much in fact. Mostly because I was living on a take away pizza, Chinese, or chippy every other night. Since breaking up from my ex, I lost 26lbs… That was just at the 2month break up mark. I lost that due to a combination of not eating and excessive exercise.

Now I’m at my current stage, sitting at around 172lbs (I should mention I’m 5 foot 11). However, I don’t have the best physique in the world, and that’s what I’m trying to change. My waist is 32”, and I will admit I have a beer belly or sorts and a hint of boob which I would rather wasn’t there. I’m eating less, drinking more fluids, and working out for about an hour 5 nights a week. My work out each night consists of around 30mins cardio, with around 30mins weights.

Now here’s my problem… No matter what I do, I can’t get any result at all from my routine. My arms aren’t building up any muscle from what I can see, my chest still looks a bit lumpy, my stomach is flabby and my face chubby. My weight isn’t budging at all, either. However, because I do a lot of running in my cardio, I will say my calves are rock solid. I mean, ROCK SOLID, so much so that people comment on how much muscle sticks out. I wouldn’t mind that, but up top.

I think my issue is that my diet isn’t great. I usually skip meals, sometimes for days at a time, and I find I’m tired a lot of the time too. I have a few friends who are quite in shape who tell me things like I need to eat regular, but with the foods my body needs to recharge, and that by doing exercise every night I’m not letting my muscle heal, that’s why it won’t grow. Is that sounding right…?

I would LOVE for somebody to wave a magic wand, as everybody would, but I know it’s not going to happen. Instead I’m determined to get back to how I looked a few years ago, but bulk up with a little tone too. Any advice on a work out plan for myself, a diet, or both, would be amazing. I’ve looked online until my eyes turned red and its full of con artists wanting your money for guides. All I need is some straight up, honest answers, and a little help.

I hope you can help me build my self esteem back up to what it once was. Also pictures of how I look or am built right now are possible, and progress can be tracked. I just want to feel good about myself and the way I look again, because right now, I honestly hate myself everytime I look in the mirror.

Thanks for your time everybody.

 

[KaraCooks]

Hi and welcome.

I'd say your friends are right. Your muscles need proper nutrition to grow, so if you're eating crap (or not eating at all), then no matter how much working out you do, your muscles will only get so far.

You need to eat properly to gain muscle - not just a proper amount of food, but a proper TYPE of food. When you're trying to build muscle, you need to make sure you're consuming enough protein for one thing - most sources recommend a minimum of 1g of protein per pound of body weight. And you need to make sure the carbs you're getting are healthy carbs - complex carbs like whole grains, oats, etc. And, finally, you need ot make sure you're getting an adequate amount of healthy fats. Contrary to popular opinion, dietary fat is not what makes you fat. You need healthy fats - from seeds and nuts, olive oil, canola, avocado, etc., in order to allow your body to process other nutrients.

Check out the sticky posts in the various forums - there's a ton of good information on how to figure your calories, how to figure your macros, and what kinds of things to eat to be healthy!

 

[antyoch]

Gotta love a UK man!

Welcome to the forum First off, we can't build your self-esteem. That's up to you. But everyone here is pretty great at support! Sorry to here about your break-up. They're never easy. Channel it into your workouts and use it as motivation. which you're already doing!

Check out the stickies, they're packed with great, honest information.

Start up a diary/journal on here to record your exercise and food intake and everyone can be more specific about your diet and exercise. Tell you where you're going wrong and things you're doing good.

You've made the first steps. You can do it

 

[Gavavva]

Hey guys, havent posted in a while sorry, but thought I would give an update.

Since breaking up with Raine in May, I've lost just over 3 stone, which I've done with a nice balanced diet and a lot of exercise and weight training. I now weigh 160 pounds. I broke down my meals into more healthy options, like more fish, and tried to balance it out. I've cut out all dairy, and my god do I miss chips/pizza... But its worth it. I do around an hours exercise a night, with a break on weekends, which includes both cardio and weights.

Anyway, I just wanted to update you all on things. Heres a recent pic of me, on the left of course: