For BG fitness fanatics, a question..

[Sanoske]

Eat a moderate amount, push yourself lifting, and maybe do light cardio.

You will not get big unless you are eating big, plain and simple. When I hit the gym hard for 3-4 months without breaking my routine (A/B/off -repeat) I didn't really gain any weight, but I looked a whole lot better and was definitely a good deal stronger. I would have gained a good deal more weight/muscle, but I didnt eat much more than normal... which was my biggest problem.

[Weiing]

@Lhyet:
What are your goals? You sort of gave a broad statement. Tell me/us specifically what it is you're looking to do. What are you looking to gain from the gym?

Do you not like the gym? Are there any other activities you like to do? Anything outdoors?

Are you afraid of the weight area? Do free weights scare you? Are you unsure how to use them?

Don't be afraid nor intimidated. At least for me, once I understand you better, advice can be given. We all can help you, but we first need to know the specifics of what it is you want and what is hindering you. I'm sure all of us are willing to help you devise a plan or just give you suggestions/feedback on your options.

Like Sanoske though, if you want to build strength and muscle, you just gotta eat tons...especially protein + fat. It's true, you can build muscle and lose body fat. ;o

Edit---- 99% of personal trainers really suck... though they may give you some ideas of what you can do. So not sure if they're really worth the money! PTs have attempted to recruit me many times and I always turn them down.

[Atreides]

It's true, you can build muscle and lose body fat. ;o

no

edit: yes I fucking know it's possible, but you can't do it, I can't do it, and neither can he. Waving that carrot in front of people's faces just makes them think they can do stupid shit in the gym/with their diets and then wonder why they haven't made any progress 4 months later. Just no.

[Meat]

but what about crossfit

[Weiing]

no

edit: Ok I don't feel like arguing so....sure. NO. Happy? Don't know what got you so mad.

[Caiyuo]

That's what I love about Atreides, lol. I think his post was a perfect reason as to why so "mad" because knowing the realities and being prepared for what you can and can't reasonably achieve is really important when someone's preparing to dedicate time, money and patience to look or feel the way they really want. I can't imagine anything else that kills motivation to continue on than having an unrealistic idea of your results and then seeing nothing near it after a solid amount of work is put in.

[Sanoske]

If you're fat and trying to lose weight, yea... getting stronger and cutting mass amounts of fat are very different routines.

If you start off with a relatively low bodyfat (I think mine is somewhere in the 11-12% range), then yea... you can lose what little fat you have while making gains in strength and size. You might not really call this "losing fat" though. Granted this is also with at least a relatively decent workout plan and a not completely shitty diet.

Your body's gains/losses will plateau once you hit a certain point, but especially if you're just starting off... you can definitely lose a little fat while you gain muscle.

[Atreides]

BOYFAT HUH?

sounds hot

[Sanoske]

Whoops. haha Aaaaand edited.

Don't get too hot and bothered.

[Atreides]

between that post and your love for fashionable pullovers I'm about to charge up my EZPass for a road trip to CT

[Sanoske]

between that post and your love for fashionable pullovers I'm about to charge up my EZPass for a road trip to CT

If you bring me some tiramisu and a bottle of good vodka I'll tell my girlfriend I have to work.

[Atreides]

if only all straight men were that easy

[Sanoske]

if only all straight men were that easy

Ah...cruel, fickle mistress that is fate.

[Lhyet]

Thanks for the replies already. I appreciate it~
Weiing, I'll answer your questions:

I do quite enjoy the gym as it happens. When I get down there and I start work, I don't often get bored. I do enjoy the rowing machine~
My main problem with getting down there is laziness really, and I know that's something I need to beat out of myself.

I used to work in a warehouse all the time and so constant heavy lifting and keeping active kept me in decent enough shape to keep me happy, but about a year ago I started my career in IT Administration, and so I've gone from being very active to doing little movement at work and less personal time. I just need to force myself into the right habit.
And I think the biggest problem I'm having is that I just don't know what to do, and don't know of anyone in my home circle to ask for advice (so thanks to you guys!).

On to the actual questions.
What do I want to achieve? Firstly; being able to run for extended periods without setting my lungs on fire. I'm not fat or overweight as I had a fitness assessment when I started at the gym and got an average rating for body fat.
So generally feeling healthier is my number one target (hope that's not too broad!)

Secondly, putting on a bit of muscle. Not loads and loads, because I'm not worried about having pecs of steel, but enough to fill out my broad shoulders and a bit of definition. Make myself a little happier when I look in the mirror~


I hope that's a little more clear. This is the first time I've really tried to make an effort with my fitness so it's taking some time to get into it and figure out what I really want from it. And I'm 24, if that's useful to know~

Thanks again!

[Meat]

shit, if that's it then everything you're looking for can probably be found at a public park. track to run, pull up bar, some angled benches for sit-ups and some pushups.

[Osede]

Like what residue said.

Running would be one of the best way to increase your stamina. You may start from running two laps, then gradually increasing the number of laps. Also, you may consider to run slow

If you want a little broad shoulder, but not very musculine, you can go buy the dumbell with adjustable weight. This can let you do some simple biceps, triceps, shoulder, chest and back weighting.

So, in long term you may consider no need to go to the gym. You can do all of this at home, with the simple instruments. Unless until the moment you want to get into more serious workout, then you might want to consider to get the membership.

[Milkster]

So as we all know it's one week before the official start of summer, and that means a lot of shirtless people and such. I wanted to know a few things to help me tighten up and have harder and more defined muscles. A few things though, I absolutely hate lifting weights and running, I do however prefer to swim and such. So any advice would help.

[Weiing]

1) diet
2) diet
3) diet
4) not lifting weights? What about push-ups, pull-ups, wall squats, plyometrics (all in addition to swimming and whatever else you like doing)
5) diet

[Milkster]

1) diet
2) diet
3) diet
4) not lifting weights? What about push-ups, pull-ups, wall squats, plyometrics (all in addition to swimming and whatever else you like doing)
5) diet

I don't want to lose weight looking to just tighten up and such.

[Moss]

which would mean losing fat, which will mean losing weight, especially if you aren't weight training to build muscle