My story and request for help with motivation

Hi eveyone and thanks for listening.

I am your average beer loving male who exercises on and off, and and who always seems to have the same waistline and weight.....until now.

I've recently turned 30 and moved to a country where everyone drives everywhere and there's virtually no pavements or cycle lanes even if you wanted to walk or cycle anywhere. Good news is that just about every residential building has a gym and pool which is great.

I've picked up quite a bit of weight and to be truthful am really struggling to stay motivated with the exercise. I train but not consistently and a little blindly simply trying to get myself to the gym even if its for something like a quick run or cycle. Diet is ok but could maybe be a little better.

Current exercise activies:
-Cycle for 25 minutes (1 minute on very high intensity, followed by 2 mins of low int. retaining RPM of 80+)
-Climb the 25 floors (20 steps per floor) to my office in the morning/afternoon
-Swim 30 lengths (20 meter pool) = 600m swim
-Run 1 mile attempting to beat my previous time
-120 stomach crunches (varied working upper, lower and side abdominals)
-High repetition dumbell press
-High rep one arm snatch

I dont do all of the exercises mentioned above every week but keep it varied by doing one every once in a while. Average maybe 2 excercise routines per week.
I will try to work out in the morning before work where possible but that isn't very often or frequently.

My goals:
-Initially is to simply burn fat
-Take on a routine that isn't too long and keeps me motivated enough to train 4 to 6 times a week
-Once lean, cut the muscles already there. Not build muscle


Questions to the forum:

-Which exercise burns off more fat?: climbing the stairs / swimming 500m / cycling 25mins / running 25mins

-If you have a lot of fat around the waist, do you need to focus on cardio more to reduce it or exercises targeting that area to firm the muscles and make them burn the fat around them?

-Is it true that lots of reps with very low weight will tone muscles? If so how many reps and sets?

-I read that the one arm snatch is one of the best calorie burning weight lifts, is that true?

-Can anyone suggest some really good quick exercises that target fat and burn much calories?


Thanks for reading and your kind responses.
 
It's great to hear that you are getting into a routine.. now you just need to stay motivated. I've answered a few of your questions below and hope this will help out if your goal is to lose those unwanted pounds and get tone...

Questions to the forum:

-Which exercise burns off more fat?: climbing the stairs / swimming 500m / cycling 25mins / running 25mins In my oppinion running will knock off calories faster than anything else although it's a good idea to mix it up. If you can shoot for 30 minutes of cardio a day for 5 or 6 days- that'll be a great program.

-If you have a lot of fat around the waist, do you need to focus on cardio more to reduce it or exercises targeting that area to firm the muscles and make them burn the fat around them? Cardio. You can work those muscles out as much as you want but if you have a layer of fat covering them you'll never see them.

-Is it true that lots of reps with very low weight will tone muscles? If so how many reps and sets? If strength endurance is your goal- then you can do something like 3 sets of 15-20. But if you want to increase your muscle size you'll need to add more weight - reducing your repetitions.

-I read that the one arm snatch is one of the best calorie burning weight lifts, is that true? I've not heard of that and I can't imagine one exercise having such an impact on burning calories but I could be wrong. Someone else will need to chime in.

-Can anyone suggest some really good quick exercises that target fat and burn much calories? I'm sorry to say that you really can't target or pin point where the fat is going to come off. A good exercise program ALONG with good eating habits since (85% of your results will come from this) will get you where you need to be.

If you can do 30 min of cardio 5 or 6 days a week and 3 full body workouts a week.. you'll be on your way. I hope this helps.
 
I just wanted to wish you luck :) I have just started and well I got a bit to go for sure..but I am determined and learning. Good luck you can do it - just dig deep inside to figure out WHY you want to change. Also take pictures and measurements. UPDATE Those once a month or so - that in itself is a big motivator when you can SEE the changes in your pictures and the numbers.
 
Very inspiring, thank you kindly.

I am very excited that I now have direction. Will work hard on eating habits too.
 
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