just got back from my first gym session.

[Dmoney]

so, I used to do japanese ju jitsu from the age for 7 til i was 18, then quit for a few years, then got a job being paid to watch TV and got fat. Apart from a 2K jog i had in the hotel gym when I was working in India, today is the first time I've had a real session or sorts.

I got no direction, but free reign of stuff. So I managed to use a treadmill, bike, and some weird thing you spin with your arms that is full of water. like a rowing machine but you're legs ain't involved.

I'm shattered!
I keep telling myself this will make me feel happier in general... maybe that will kick in tomorrow. haha.

[bucketshred]

You're mental!

Saying that, I'll be going doing half a mile swimming every morning as of May 1st. Paddy's getting CHUNKY!

Paddy

[Dmoney]

hahah! i don't mind being chunky, but I do mind feel older than I am, and unfit.
Plan is to loose some weight then maybe hit some weights.

I wish I was this fit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDCxH88-9X8&feature=related

[Jonny]

Last year I used to be at the gym, used to do treadmill (20) and then cycle (30). Did a selection of weights for core building then a warm down with the plank and all that jazz. It felt good but I didn't really change much and I went frequently, it made me slightly annoyed that I pay monthly and I really didn't get much of a service.

I expect service in some way for a gym. And for £40 a month.

[Dmoney]

im paying 35, and I can go a lot. its just across from my flat and it's open late, and I work shifts so some days im free all day.

I had the induction but I haven't had anything like... being asked what I want to change and being pointed to stuff I could use. I know I want to loose weight, so today I tried out some cardio machines. I did a 20min run and 30min on a bike, then 5 mins with my arms on the other machine at a higher resistance but solid pace.

I'm going to have to do some research I think. Luckily I know people who are gym staff in other places, so I can talk to them.

I have some dumbbells here at home and a few exorcises for them. would be nice to put together some kind of plan and go a few times a week. they do classes too. various yoga, some kickboxing. those are the classes that tempt me.

I feel like I made a good start, but I also feel like I need some goals and a way to track progress

[bucketshred]

Eating less too helps! And drink lots of water.

Back in Jan I lost half a stone in three weeks by eating a hell of a lot less (and eating better also, loads of protein and salad veg/fruit), cutting sugar out of my tea (and knocking coffee on the head as I can't drink it without sugar). I also swam two miles a week! It also boosted my arm and chest muscles considerably (which I've sadly lost) whilst adding more definition too!

For this summer I plan to get to 14st (I'm 15st 9lbs now) just by doing all this.

Paddy

[Dmoney]

word. I'm about 16st.
I have a belly but I'm quite big built, although I'm not strong at all really.
I went swimming in hampstead ponds at the end of last summer and totally destroyed every muscle in my body.
I think that was an eye opener!

[Oli]

Currently at 15st here, but it's going down :) 10miles cycle, 4k rowing and some weights is my usual routine, sometimes switch a mile swim in there instead, but i've not done that for a while. I try and go to the gym each evening-- like you my gym is just over the road, so it helps :)

[_tom_]

About 15 stone here now, weight hasn't really moved much since I started doing stronglifts 5x5 with my mates. 5x5 is pretty good if like me you hate the gym atmosphere and doing an aimless programme - you don't need to spend hours in the gym and it seems to build strength really quickly. Already squatting 75kg 3 weeks in, but then I already had strong legs from being a fatty and also cycling a lot! Bench press and overhead press are so weak though because of a shoulder injury :(

Doing my first 50 mile road ride this weekend, did 30 last week. Considering LEJOG late July :)

[Dmoney]

awesome. you're all inspiring me.
I actually got bored after getting home and sitting round for a few hours, so I got out the dumbbells and working my arms and shoulders.

One thing about the bike in the gym though, I was on it for 30mins with a reasonable resistance, and kept at a constant speed of about 10K and hour, but the readout said I only did 3K! I'm SURE that if I was on an actually road I would have done more than 3K.

[Plexi Ken]

I've lost over 6 stone in the last 18 months or so (and still have much more to lose!). I didn't follow Alwyn Cosgrove's methods (links below) to the letter but his writing really change my mind on things. I had never lifted a weight before in my whole life and never intended to. Now I lift heavy (for me) 4 times per week (Jim Wendler's 5/3/1) with HIIT finisher. Plus everything else I can fit in.

Alwyn Cosgrove's The New Rules of Lifting:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Rules-Lifting-Maximum-Muscle/dp/158333338X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302635403&sr=8-2

One of the core elements of the book is also in this article - The Hierarchy of Fat Loss:
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/the_hierarchy_of_fat_loss

[Dmoney]

wow! thats awesome.
I'd like to loose 2 or 3 stone. No idea what that translates to in terms of time. One thing about the gym by my place is that the free weights area is tiny, and always seems to be really busy. Those links looks really interesting.

[38thBeatle]

You lot put me to shame though I weigh 14st and I now know why I haven't been well for the last 5 months and why my weight is what it is. I am really not up to going to a gym but swimming ought to be a possibility. Good on you though for starting a regime.

[Oli]

Dmoney: the calculations on the bikes at the gym doesn't really represent 'real' cycling... my usual 10miles takes about 35mins (can get it under 30 if i push it)-- that's aiming for 90-95rpm average on a good resistance (i think level 10 out of 25). If im out on my bike, 10 miles will take nearer 45mins, but that's a little more casual at times, and it seems to fly by a lot quicker because of the scenery!!!

Keep it up-- the first stone will fly off quickly, then it's the hard determination that will get you through the rest... my first stone went in about a month and a half i think, but trying to lose the last 2 is proving very hard/slow work :)

[Johnny Mac]

Exercise can be really uplifting on your moods too, all those endorphins and what have you. I swim quite a bit not as much as I did two years back when i was getting over an accident i had at work. With swimming, it does help to get some technique improvements.  I'm no Mark Spitz but i did go to a club as a kid and it stays with you. I see some people at the pool, game though they are, splashing around vertically isn't going to burn off many calories. An hour is usually enough, with a few breathers.
I've started cycling again, thats a lot of fun. Uphill is a killer. I'm also going to have a go at rollerblading. I've tried it a few times but still getting the hang of it. I can do the quad skates ok but these things are strange.