Question(s)?

D

Dominic68

New member
Okay,
First, Hi all new here please forgive any glaring protocol errors I make.

Got a York Alpha home gym for Xmas from someone who decided I was fat. Extremely outdated, apparently they'd had it for years and barely touched the thing, nevertheless it was mine by December of last year. I pretty much ignored it's presence for the remaining weeks and continued to drink and eat like the holiday demanded. One day, just before the new year, some 17-year-old girl I worked with made a joke about the "mushroom-effect" I was having over my belt. Normally I would have shrugged this off and responded with many comments about her lineage, sexual preferences or bad taste in music, but I caught a reflection of myself in a mirror and had to admit she was right. I made a New Years Resoloution to do something about it.

Come January first I hit the blasted thing as the instructions demanded and began on a high protein/low carb diet which generally sucks because carbs taste good and veggies suck, but I've stuck with it. After these few months I've had great weight loss (started at 248lbs, now 223lbs) and am seeing impressive results in body tone and definition. I've gotten to the point where I've bent the York machine (apparently it can't handle the weight it supplies, bloody corporate losers) and have switched to an almost exclusive free-weight workout using some dumbells I found in my buddies garage. The question is, or questions, what do I do now?

Up until today my workout has been full-body with one day rest in between and two-day on the weekends (I work double shifts then in a high-activity job). Do I continue doing the full-body bit or should I switch to specializing on muscle groups? My current regime is showing huge results, should I stick with it. My goal is to be, somewhat, buff but I don't have to look like I walked off the set of "300". It's a mystifying world when it comes to getting in shape, a lot of opinions all pulling in different directions. At the end of the day I just want to not be embarrassed when I'm at the beach. 38-year-old male getting started late but wanting to try.

Thank you

Dominic
 
Last edited:
Well you can't readily gain muscle while dieting so weightlifting at this point is to train your body into retaining muscle as you lose weight.

I'd bet you're seeing your results more so from a stricter diet than exercise because you said you already have a fairly physically demanding job, although both are important. If you aren't already, try adding some aerobic exercise to not only burn calories but to improve cardiovascular function.

There's a saying when it comes to fitness "This is working so great for me, I need to try something else now" If you're seeing great results, no point in totally changing your plan of attack, little tweaks make it more effective and keep it more interesting.
 
wow sounds like you are on the ball.
I recall seeing an episode this week of biggest loser (last season for you guys ... NZ is a bit slow lol) where they locked the gym and made them use household workout items.
One group picked up the couch and lounge furniture and moved it upstairs then moved it down, they did that twice i think and it took some time and gave them a mega workout.
The other team did stuff using fences outside and jogging and other stuff like that. It kinda inspired me to drop the whole excuse that i cant use gym equipment idea or stop using 'i cant get to the gym or use my equipment' excuse.

Anyway i digress, im off on a tanget again ... :)

I reckon you should just not set a goal weight, but set a goal image that you want and aim for it.
Ive set a goal weight but its on the upper end of the 'healthy' scale. Once i get there im gonna see how i feel about how i look and go from there. If im happy then ill stay, if i still think i look to fat or something then ill go lower.
Since i havnt been a healthy weight for my body for so long ive forgotten and im not entirely sure what i want to be or get too.

If i were you i would stick with whats working until it no longer works, loose a bit more fat before you work on the shape so much. once the fat is removed the muscles will naturally show through, then you can get a better idea on what you want/need.

Anyway, welcome to the forum etc :)
 
If you're busy I think it's best to go with a full body work out 3 x a week. Do lots of compound exercise.

One important thing I learn in bodybuilding is you have to eat a lot if you want to be buff.

My bodybuilder boyfriend follows the age old method of bulking up to get big, and cutting down to get defined. Rinse and repeat. :D
 
new to forum

Congratulations on your awesome work. There's a highly respected user here named Steve who helps people with their training and everything program. He'll probably make an appearance in your diary. He can answer your specific questions. Keep up the good work and keep posting in your diary. Its a valuable weight loss/fitness tool.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top