right that's it, time to get fit and lose the moobs.
Discussion
I know there's the PH fat fighters thread running, which I posted on many moons ago but never kept upto speed with.
Basically I've decided enough is enough, I'm too fat, too unfit and too unhealthy. I don't drink, but I smoke 20 a day, weigh the best part of 18.5 stone (6'3 tall) and despite being pretty strong and devistatingly handsome I'm miles away from where I want to be.
I've been on a diet for a few months now which has gone great thus far. I've narrowly avoided having my own gravitational pull and the tides seem to have returned to normal thanks to shedding around a stone and a half.
It's a new week, I'm awake remarkably early, and I'm motivated. The last time this happened I started a new business which so far seems to be going well, so I'm hoping I'm on a roll, as opposed to eating one. I've got 3 ciggies left, as far as I'm aware it's my last packet in the house, I'm just about to light one, and refuse to buy anymore. P'raps one of those leccy cigarettes I've read about on here if the temptation to pull someone's head off becomes too much, but I'm more keen on just plain stopping, in light of today's theme of lifestyle revolution, for me at least.
I'm making the diet more strict, smaller portions, same food as it's working well and is reasonably balanced but low in carbs and sugars. Chicken and salad (sans dressing) is about the crux of it. No pop, crisps, booze, sweets or take-aways.
I can't do weights or anything just yet, nor impact sports etc, thanks to having a bit of a nasty smash in the car leaving my shoulder a tad injured. I hate going to gyms, not because I'm embarrassed or any of that guff, suffice to say they're not for me.
So, what I need is some fitness tips, and ideas of what exercise / activities I might want to try that will really help ramp up my fitness as quickly as possible.
To give you an idea of where I'm at, my fitness is non-existent. Until recently I played squash several times a week, and walk a good few miles with the dog. I seem to run out of breath very easily, which I guess is down to 13 years of smoking murdering my lung capacity, but I can cope with 2 hours of solid squash fairly well, so I'm hoping all is not lost.
What's the best way of getting fit avoiding the gym? Consider me a blank canvas when it comes to exercise, the only things I like are mountain bikes, squash and rugby, only bikes are an option at the minute, and I'd like to mix things up a bit and try some other stuff. The only thing I'm certain of is it's not going to be a quick few weeks of frantic exercise then reverting to sofa based activity only, I'm going to stick at it. My main reason for doing it is my health, the other reason is I'd like to do some bike racing in 2010 (the engined variety) and I can't do it looking like a tellytubby, I really want to improve on a bike.
I'm happy to get a few exercise machines for the house to tide me over until I finally crack and join up at a gym, as much as I hate Gyms I know fine well I'm going to have to join at some point fairly soon, but I'm holding off doing it until at least 1st may. I'd far rather exercise at home, as I work predominantly from home. My house is currently being renovated so I'm eager to make a completely fresh start.
I've never much fancied running, but I'm keen to start, being a heavy fellow, I know my joints are going to take a beating, so if any of you runners have any tips for someone starting I'd love to hear them.
So, how does a man lose a few stone and massively improve his fitness? Any help regarding exercise / diet would be ace, other than 'lay off the pies fatty'
I'm not really sure what the point of posting this thread was, but if nothing else it gives me something to refer back to, and makes it all official, like, so I've got to do it now. So, there we have it. If anyone else feels the urge to quit smoking, exercising as much as possible and dieting like their life depends on it feel free to chip in Apologies for the random, repeated sporadic questions 
Cheers,
Stu
Basically I've decided enough is enough, I'm too fat, too unfit and too unhealthy. I don't drink, but I smoke 20 a day, weigh the best part of 18.5 stone (6'3 tall) and despite being pretty strong and devistatingly handsome I'm miles away from where I want to be.
I've been on a diet for a few months now which has gone great thus far. I've narrowly avoided having my own gravitational pull and the tides seem to have returned to normal thanks to shedding around a stone and a half.
It's a new week, I'm awake remarkably early, and I'm motivated. The last time this happened I started a new business which so far seems to be going well, so I'm hoping I'm on a roll, as opposed to eating one. I've got 3 ciggies left, as far as I'm aware it's my last packet in the house, I'm just about to light one, and refuse to buy anymore. P'raps one of those leccy cigarettes I've read about on here if the temptation to pull someone's head off becomes too much, but I'm more keen on just plain stopping, in light of today's theme of lifestyle revolution, for me at least.
I'm making the diet more strict, smaller portions, same food as it's working well and is reasonably balanced but low in carbs and sugars. Chicken and salad (sans dressing) is about the crux of it. No pop, crisps, booze, sweets or take-aways.
I can't do weights or anything just yet, nor impact sports etc, thanks to having a bit of a nasty smash in the car leaving my shoulder a tad injured. I hate going to gyms, not because I'm embarrassed or any of that guff, suffice to say they're not for me.
So, what I need is some fitness tips, and ideas of what exercise / activities I might want to try that will really help ramp up my fitness as quickly as possible.
To give you an idea of where I'm at, my fitness is non-existent. Until recently I played squash several times a week, and walk a good few miles with the dog. I seem to run out of breath very easily, which I guess is down to 13 years of smoking murdering my lung capacity, but I can cope with 2 hours of solid squash fairly well, so I'm hoping all is not lost.
What's the best way of getting fit avoiding the gym? Consider me a blank canvas when it comes to exercise, the only things I like are mountain bikes, squash and rugby, only bikes are an option at the minute, and I'd like to mix things up a bit and try some other stuff. The only thing I'm certain of is it's not going to be a quick few weeks of frantic exercise then reverting to sofa based activity only, I'm going to stick at it. My main reason for doing it is my health, the other reason is I'd like to do some bike racing in 2010 (the engined variety) and I can't do it looking like a tellytubby, I really want to improve on a bike.
I'm happy to get a few exercise machines for the house to tide me over until I finally crack and join up at a gym, as much as I hate Gyms I know fine well I'm going to have to join at some point fairly soon, but I'm holding off doing it until at least 1st may. I'd far rather exercise at home, as I work predominantly from home. My house is currently being renovated so I'm eager to make a completely fresh start.
I've never much fancied running, but I'm keen to start, being a heavy fellow, I know my joints are going to take a beating, so if any of you runners have any tips for someone starting I'd love to hear them.
So, how does a man lose a few stone and massively improve his fitness? Any help regarding exercise / diet would be ace, other than 'lay off the pies fatty'
I'm not really sure what the point of posting this thread was, but if nothing else it gives me something to refer back to, and makes it all official, like, so I've got to do it now. So, there we have it. If anyone else feels the urge to quit smoking, exercising as much as possible and dieting like their life depends on it feel free to chip in
Apologies for the random, repeated sporadic questions Cheers,
Stu
Hi Stu, 
Just wanted to wish you good luck with this. I really ought to do the same but have too much other stuff going on to concentrate on this properly. I'm 6'4" tall and 20 stone 9lbs so even heavier than you.
My only word of advice would be just be careful of running, especially on a hard surface. Your joints (and mine) will take one hell of a beating running on concrete. I'd consider a decent, healthy diet combined with maybe swimming and walking initially and start the running later down the road.
I'm starting my new life in six weeks time (May 1st, my birthay). This is because I want to get my house straight (just moved) and get some more work too. I'm giving myself a year to lose what I want to which is six stone. This will be a steady weight loss which in turn makes it more likely to keep it off.
Good luck anyway!
Just wanted to wish you good luck with this. I really ought to do the same but have too much other stuff going on to concentrate on this properly. I'm 6'4" tall and 20 stone 9lbs so even heavier than you.
My only word of advice would be just be careful of running, especially on a hard surface. Your joints (and mine) will take one hell of a beating running on concrete. I'd consider a decent, healthy diet combined with maybe swimming and walking initially and start the running later down the road.
I'm starting my new life in six weeks time (May 1st, my birthay). This is because I want to get my house straight (just moved) and get some more work too. I'm giving myself a year to lose what I want to which is six stone. This will be a steady weight loss which in turn makes it more likely to keep it off.
Good luck anyway!
Edited by Smart Mart on Monday 23 March 06:45
Rowing!
I hate running and cycling always made little difference to me physically, fitness wise.
When you row you use the strength in your arms, the strength in your legs and lots of cardio.
I went to doing 2km in less than 7 minutes and near the end did a couple of marathons, 42km in 3:26 minutes and 3:16 minutes respectively.
As a reasonably strong bloke they interested me more as it wasn't just cardio, I got to use my muscles aswell. I got down to 91 kilos doing it and had never felt fitter. It's also a great workout for your back muscles.
I used to use a Concept 2, but tried a Water Rower in John Lewis and was very impressed.
Plus, you can do this while watching telly.
Dave!
I hate running and cycling always made little difference to me physically, fitness wise.
When you row you use the strength in your arms, the strength in your legs and lots of cardio.
I went to doing 2km in less than 7 minutes and near the end did a couple of marathons, 42km in 3:26 minutes and 3:16 minutes respectively.
As a reasonably strong bloke they interested me more as it wasn't just cardio, I got to use my muscles aswell. I got down to 91 kilos doing it and had never felt fitter. It's also a great workout for your back muscles.
I used to use a Concept 2, but tried a Water Rower in John Lewis and was very impressed.
Plus, you can do this while watching telly.
Dave!
Thanks Mart, I'm looking forward to the challenge. My goal was initially 3 stone (started when I weighed around 20St, down to 18.5ish now), but it's 5 now, as I don't see 17 stone as being a particularly good goal. Fingers crossed it works out, good luck with when you start too mate
Two things I've found out so far:
1) Running is a lot harder than it looks! Admittedly I'm in no way prepared to go running, I stretched for about a minute, threw my trainers (which are rubbish for running) on, and went out and did near enough exactly 1 mile. Didn't stop, but my heart felt like it was about to explode, and I'm sure at some stage someone replaced the air I was breathing with fire. So, prognosis looks bleak but things can only get better I suppose. At least I've got a benchmark to work from.
2) Quitting smoking is an absolute doddle. As of about a minute ago I have no cigarettes left and feel absolutely no need to have one. I'm sure that feeling will last all of 10 minutes, and I jest of course
Two things I've found out so far:
1) Running is a lot harder than it looks! Admittedly I'm in no way prepared to go running, I stretched for about a minute, threw my trainers (which are rubbish for running) on, and went out and did near enough exactly 1 mile. Didn't stop, but my heart felt like it was about to explode, and I'm sure at some stage someone replaced the air I was breathing with fire.
So, prognosis looks bleak but things can only get better I suppose. At least I've got a benchmark to work from. 2) Quitting smoking is an absolute doddle. As of about a minute ago I have no cigarettes left and feel absolutely no need to have one. I'm sure that feeling will last all of 10 minutes, and I jest of course
Howitzer said:
Rowing!
I hate running and cycling always made little difference to me physically, fitness wise.
When you row you use the strength in your arms, the strength in your legs and lots of cardio.
I went to doing 2km in less than 7 minutes and near the end did a couple of marathons, 42km in 3:26 minutes and 3:16 minutes respectively.
As a reasonably strong bloke they interested me more as it wasn't just cardio, I got to use my muscles aswell. I got down to 91 kilos doing it and had never felt fitter. It's also a great workout for your back muscles.
I used to use a Concept 2, but tried a Water Rower in John Lewis and was very impressed.
Plus, you can do this while watching telly.
Dave!
Cheers for the reply Dave, rowing is definitely something I'd like to try. I'm constantly told how good it is by my 16 year old nephew who's been bitten by the rowing bug hard and looks like he could go very far with it. I'll give them a shot but it could be a bit too shoulder intensive at the minute, certainly one to bear in mind I hate running and cycling always made little difference to me physically, fitness wise.
When you row you use the strength in your arms, the strength in your legs and lots of cardio.
I went to doing 2km in less than 7 minutes and near the end did a couple of marathons, 42km in 3:26 minutes and 3:16 minutes respectively.
As a reasonably strong bloke they interested me more as it wasn't just cardio, I got to use my muscles aswell. I got down to 91 kilos doing it and had never felt fitter. It's also a great workout for your back muscles.
I used to use a Concept 2, but tried a Water Rower in John Lewis and was very impressed.
Plus, you can do this while watching telly.
Dave!
I'll have a look at rowing machines this morning before the builders arrive and stop me getting on the internet, guessing the water rowers are excellent but pricey?
Edited by Stu R on Monday 23 March 06:59
172ff said:
Gym. X-trainer and spinning every other day.
Any excuses that its boring etc and deep down you quite like being a pie monster.
This is what I'm doing. Took years of excuses before I did something about it.
3 months down the line and I'm nicely toned up and the moobs are no more.
Fair point on the gym, I know realistically it's not something I can avoid, but I'd rather hang fire for a month or so first. I'd rather have a makeshift gym at home for now and make use of the great outdoors, we've got some lovely countryside 2 minutes from my doorstep Any excuses that its boring etc and deep down you quite like being a pie monster.
This is what I'm doing. Took years of excuses before I did something about it.
3 months down the line and I'm nicely toned up and the moobs are no more.
Cycling is great, particularly if you can build it into your daily routine. I'm not a gym person at all, and running and rowing absolutely kill my knees. However I lost 2 stone in a year just by cycling into work - 20 miles a day and even without any particular dietary changes you'll find it just falls off.
The routine thing is key for me. Make it a fixed time every day - and it must be every day, weekends off fair enough, but every weekday - that is exercise time. No ifs, buts, or excuses. Block it out in your diary/Outlook if you can, and it'll soon turn into a habit; after that it's plain sailing
The routine thing is key for me. Make it a fixed time every day - and it must be every day, weekends off fair enough, but every weekday - that is exercise time. No ifs, buts, or excuses. Block it out in your diary/Outlook if you can, and it'll soon turn into a habit; after that it's plain sailing
How far is your commute to work - cycling/walking it will get your metabolism turning over and wont seem like a chore, because you have to get to work anyway.
Cycling (road or MTB) is great at burning up the calories just because the hours just seem to dissapear - its easy to go out for a 3 hour pedal, but running for three hours is a PITA
The best bit of advice i can think of is not to let it get you down if you fall off the wagon for a weekend or two - so what, you had a pizza and a cake? Dont turn into one of those guys that sits there saying "i wish i could eat that" eat it and then tack an extra half hour onto your next ride/run/whatever.
[EDIT] as for needing to join a gym, b
ks. The only time being in a gym makes sense is when the weather is crap, save your money and buy yourself a nice mountain bike - you are more likely to use it than a gym membership and you arent stuck inside![/EDIT]
Cycling (road or MTB) is great at burning up the calories just because the hours just seem to dissapear - its easy to go out for a 3 hour pedal, but running for three hours is a PITA
The best bit of advice i can think of is not to let it get you down if you fall off the wagon for a weekend or two - so what, you had a pizza and a cake? Dont turn into one of those guys that sits there saying "i wish i could eat that" eat it and then tack an extra half hour onto your next ride/run/whatever.
[EDIT] as for needing to join a gym, b
ks. The only time being in a gym makes sense is when the weather is crap, save your money and buy yourself a nice mountain bike - you are more likely to use it than a gym membership and you arent stuck inside![/EDIT]Edited by Parsnip on Monday 23 March 07:47
Stu R said:
172ff said:
Gym. X-trainer and spinning every other day.
Any excuses that its boring etc and deep down you quite like being a pie monster.
This is what I'm doing. Took years of excuses before I did something about it.
3 months down the line and I'm nicely toned up and the moobs are no more.
Fair point on the gym, I know realistically it's not something I can avoid, but I'd rather hang fire for a month or so first. I'd rather have a makeshift gym at home for now and make use of the great outdoors, we've got some lovely countryside 2 minutes from my doorstep Any excuses that its boring etc and deep down you quite like being a pie monster.
This is what I'm doing. Took years of excuses before I did something about it.
3 months down the line and I'm nicely toned up and the moobs are no more.
If you like biking, do that - if it's something you enjoy then you're more likely to stick to it. I started cycling to work (mainly because it's cheaper and quicker than public transport) but one other benefit was my weight dropped and general fitness improved a lot, I slept better etc etc. If you can do that then you'll also combine commuting with exercise, again saving you more time in the day.
Can I just add to that - I also have a terrible shoulder injury that will never recover, but I still fight MMA (about 15 years having done the shoulder!), but it takes time for the body to get used to it.
Listen to your body - don't push it too much to start with.
My final tip is see if you are gluten intollerant (sp?) - I have just discovered that I am, and the inches are starting to drop off round the middle.
Good luck!
Listen to your body - don't push it too much to start with.
My final tip is see if you are gluten intollerant (sp?) - I have just discovered that I am, and the inches are starting to drop off round the middle.
Good luck!
Again thanks for the replies. Very much into bikes, used to be seriously into them as a teenager doing some competative riding, unfortunately I passed my driving test and forgot they existed.
I've got 2 nice mountain bikes, haven't used them in the last month or two all that much but still keen as mustard as I only recently bought one (felt compulsion 2 mint sauce). Wouldn't mind replacing my DH bike which rarely sees the light of day (and was only bought to do a mate a favour) with something cheaper and hardtail flavoured, see what happens but I'm happy with the Felt.
I'd like a bit of variety though, hence the questions.
As for my daily commute, it's about 20 feet as I work primarily from home
Loving the water rowers at John Lewis, they're eye wateringly expensive but I might just have to push the boat out (no pun intended). I worked out that I'll be saving around 2.5k a year if I manage to stay of the ciggies
P'raps a rowing machine, the bikes and a few miles on foot a week will be sufficient, but I'd like to do as much as I can.
I've got 2 nice mountain bikes, haven't used them in the last month or two all that much but still keen as mustard as I only recently bought one (felt compulsion 2 mint sauce). Wouldn't mind replacing my DH bike which rarely sees the light of day (and was only bought to do a mate a favour) with something cheaper and hardtail flavoured, see what happens but I'm happy with the Felt.
I'd like a bit of variety though, hence the questions.
As for my daily commute, it's about 20 feet as I work primarily from home
Loving the water rowers at John Lewis, they're eye wateringly expensive but I might just have to push the boat out (no pun intended). I worked out that I'll be saving around 2.5k a year if I manage to stay of the ciggies
P'raps a rowing machine, the bikes and a few miles on foot a week will be sufficient, but I'd like to do as much as I can.
Don1 said:
Can I just add to that - I also have a terrible shoulder injury that will never recover, but I still fight MMA (about 15 years having done the shoulder!), but it takes time for the body to get used to it.
Listen to your body - don't push it too much to start with.
Sound advice indeed! Kudos on the MMA, I used to train with Ian Freeman as a teenager, well get the crap knocked out of me. My shoulder needs an op as it has a habit of dislocating, which I can normally work around, but I sprung my collarbone not long back which is the reason for cautiousness Listen to your body - don't push it too much to start with.
Stu R said:
Howitzer said:
Rowing!
I hate running and cycling always made little difference to me physically, fitness wise.
When you row you use the strength in your arms, the strength in your legs and lots of cardio.
I went to doing 2km in less than 7 minutes and near the end did a couple of marathons, 42km in 3:26 minutes and 3:16 minutes respectively.
As a reasonably strong bloke they interested me more as it wasn't just cardio, I got to use my muscles aswell. I got down to 91 kilos doing it and had never felt fitter. It's also a great workout for your back muscles.
I used to use a Concept 2, but tried a Water Rower in John Lewis and was very impressed.
Plus, you can do this while watching telly.
Dave!
Cheers for the reply Dave, rowing is definitely something I'd like to try. I'm constantly told how good it is by my 16 year old nephew who's been bitten by the rowing bug hard and looks like he could go very far with it. I'll give them a shot but it could be a bit too shoulder intensive at the minute, certainly one to bear in mind I hate running and cycling always made little difference to me physically, fitness wise.
When you row you use the strength in your arms, the strength in your legs and lots of cardio.
I went to doing 2km in less than 7 minutes and near the end did a couple of marathons, 42km in 3:26 minutes and 3:16 minutes respectively.
As a reasonably strong bloke they interested me more as it wasn't just cardio, I got to use my muscles aswell. I got down to 91 kilos doing it and had never felt fitter. It's also a great workout for your back muscles.
I used to use a Concept 2, but tried a Water Rower in John Lewis and was very impressed.
Plus, you can do this while watching telly.
Dave!
I'll have a look at rowing machines this morning before the builders arrive and stop me getting on the internet, guessing the water rowers are excellent but pricey?
Edited by Stu R on Monday 23 March 06:59
I only have a cheap magnetic rower but it does the job and you really do feel like youve worked out your whole body!
I think you do get what you pay for with rowers as mine is a tad crude but it does the job.
Get a rower, get out on the bike more and get down to the swimming pool a few times a week and you probably could manage without needing a gym imo - I cancelled my gym membership last year because its boring as hell being stuck inside some building excercising - at least on the rower you can do it at home in front of the telly, and cycling gets you out and about seeing things as long as you vary your route.
Stu R said:
Again thanks for the replies. Very much into bikes, used to be seriously into them as a teenager doing some competative riding, unfortunately I passed my driving test and forgot they existed.
I've got 2 nice mountain bikes, haven't used them in the last month or two all that much but still keen as mustard as I only recently bought one (felt compulsion 2 mint sauce). Wouldn't mind replacing my DH bike which rarely sees the light of day (and was only bought to do a mate a favour) with something cheaper and hardtail flavoured, see what happens but I'm happy with the Felt.
I'd like a bit of variety though, hence the questions.
As for my daily commute, it's about 20 feet as I work primarily from home
Loving the water rowers at John Lewis, they're eye wateringly expensive but I might just have to push the boat out (no pun intended). I worked out that I'll be saving around 2.5k a year if I manage to stay of the ciggies
P'raps a rowing machine, the bikes and a few miles on foot a week will be sufficient, but I'd like to do as much as I can.
Stu, just noticed you're up in the North East too - I've got a couple of mountain bikes too, so if you fancy a look out on them some time drop me a line.I've got 2 nice mountain bikes, haven't used them in the last month or two all that much but still keen as mustard as I only recently bought one (felt compulsion 2 mint sauce). Wouldn't mind replacing my DH bike which rarely sees the light of day (and was only bought to do a mate a favour) with something cheaper and hardtail flavoured, see what happens but I'm happy with the Felt.
I'd like a bit of variety though, hence the questions.
As for my daily commute, it's about 20 feet as I work primarily from home
Loving the water rowers at John Lewis, they're eye wateringly expensive but I might just have to push the boat out (no pun intended). I worked out that I'll be saving around 2.5k a year if I manage to stay of the ciggies
P'raps a rowing machine, the bikes and a few miles on foot a week will be sufficient, but I'd like to do as much as I can.
if there is one of these near you, I would recommend going :
http://hotbikramyoga.co.uk/home.html
you won't stay 'stout' for long doing 90 minutes of this. really good for the whole body too - no more back pains, achy joints etc.
http://hotbikramyoga.co.uk/home.html
you won't stay 'stout' for long doing 90 minutes of this. really good for the whole body too - no more back pains, achy joints etc.
alreet stubert, im in the same type of situation, however i started around a month ago, i go to the gym and use the x trainer and running machine twice a week and swim 3 days a week, that and cutting the take aways and beer out has enabled me to lose just over a stone already, ive even started getting out on the DH mountain bike recently!!
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