Joined a Gym, Would Like Some Advice...
Discussion
Hi all,
As the title says, I've just joined a gym and am hoping to tone up a bit. So far, I've been given 'fat burning cardio exercise', so a quick walk/slow jog at a 12 degree incline on the tread mill,and a distance thrash on the rowing machine, 5 sets of 100 metres with a 30 second break inbetween each 100 metres. I can appreciate that this isn't a lot, but at the moment I can feel it! I also have reps on the bench press, the pec deck and the cable lift.
So, my question is, when is the best time to eat? I finish work at about 5ish, and being a tree surgeon, it is quite a physical job, and head to the gym.
Afterwards, I go home and have dinner. This has consisted of protein, such as quorn, and vegetables. I do find it ridiculously hard to resist my favourite food and drink as well, my current favourite being beer...
Does anyone know of anyway to reduce cravings for crap food or beer, or do I just need to lock myself in a room for a few days?
Apologies for the long post, I've never set foot in a gym until monday, although I have been swimming four times in the last week, so just need some advice!
As the title says, I've just joined a gym and am hoping to tone up a bit. So far, I've been given 'fat burning cardio exercise', so a quick walk/slow jog at a 12 degree incline on the tread mill,and a distance thrash on the rowing machine, 5 sets of 100 metres with a 30 second break inbetween each 100 metres. I can appreciate that this isn't a lot, but at the moment I can feel it! I also have reps on the bench press, the pec deck and the cable lift.
So, my question is, when is the best time to eat? I finish work at about 5ish, and being a tree surgeon, it is quite a physical job, and head to the gym.
Afterwards, I go home and have dinner. This has consisted of protein, such as quorn, and vegetables. I do find it ridiculously hard to resist my favourite food and drink as well, my current favourite being beer...
Does anyone know of anyway to reduce cravings for crap food or beer, or do I just need to lock myself in a room for a few days?
Apologies for the long post, I've never set foot in a gym until monday, although I have been swimming four times in the last week, so just need some advice!
Cut down, not out. Cutting out is the surest way for many of getting the cravings to build up so badly that you just go kerazy and binge. I see this happening so many times on the myfitnesspal forums, for instance.
However, if you're looking to lose weight, then you do need to keep an eye on what passes between your lips, including fluids. Easy, boys.
I imagine your job is pretty physical so it's possible that with good food control, you don't need to do much in the way of cardio.
However, if you're looking to lose weight, then you do need to keep an eye on what passes between your lips, including fluids. Easy, boys.
I imagine your job is pretty physical so it's possible that with good food control, you don't need to do much in the way of cardio.
Hoofy said:
Cut down, not out. Cutting out is the surest way for many of getting the cravings to build up so badly that you just go kerazy and binge. I see this happening so many times on the myfitnesspal forums, for instance.
However, if you're looking to lose weight, then you do need to keep an eye on what passes between your lips, including fluids. Easy, boys.
I imagine your job is pretty physical so it's possible that with good food control, you don't need to do much in the way of cardio.
Cheers Hoofy. If I'm honest, I don't know whether I'm looking to lose weight or not! I'm not fat, but I would like to see some muscle in my pecs and stomach. I'm guessing that I would need to lose a bit of weight to do that though. I do go through stages of drinking nothing for a few weeks, then have a couple of weeks of having a few pints a night. Its the same with food, I'll go for ages without eating fast food, then BANG! I'm eating it every couple days! Mental stuff really I suppose, I've never been one for fitness, but I have found that I really enjoy it now!However, if you're looking to lose weight, then you do need to keep an eye on what passes between your lips, including fluids. Easy, boys.
I imagine your job is pretty physical so it's possible that with good food control, you don't need to do much in the way of cardio.
If a client said to you, "I want trees in my garden, but then I'm not sure if I do, I just want a nice looking garden" what would you reply with? 
From your job, I imagine you must have more muscles than someone with a desk job? Simply dropping bodyfat levels will reveal them. You need to decide whether you want to see what is already there or make what's already there bigger.
From your job, I imagine you must have more muscles than someone with a desk job? Simply dropping bodyfat levels will reveal them. You need to decide whether you want to see what is already there or make what's already there bigger.
Hoofy said:
If a client said to you, "I want trees in my garden, but then I'm not sure if I do, I just want a nice looking garden" what would you reply with?
From your job, I imagine you must have more muscles than someone with a desk job? Simply dropping bodyfat levels will reveal them. You need to decide whether you want to see what is already there or make what's already there bigger.
I'd be saying, 'anything but Leylandii!' From your job, I imagine you must have more muscles than someone with a desk job? Simply dropping bodyfat levels will reveal them. You need to decide whether you want to see what is already there or make what's already there bigger.
Horrible stuff...I probably do, just can't see my stomach muscles! So that would say weight loss is the best way to go... I do still want to enjoy the things that I eat at the moment, and not calorie watch the whole time though! It's hard to judge as I am physically working every day, so need more calories than others who have a desk job. Cutting out carbs isn't an option, unfortunately, from what I understand that's a main source of energy!
expensivegarms said:
I'd be saying, 'anything but Leylandii!' Horrible stuff...
I probably do, just can't see my stomach muscles! So that would say weight loss is the best way to go... I do still want to enjoy the things that I eat at the moment, and not calorie watch the whole time though! It's hard to judge as I am physically working every day, so need more calories than others who have a desk job. Cutting out carbs isn't an option, unfortunately, from what I understand that's a main source of energy!
*clunk (can of worms)* Horrible stuff...I probably do, just can't see my stomach muscles! So that would say weight loss is the best way to go... I do still want to enjoy the things that I eat at the moment, and not calorie watch the whole time though! It's hard to judge as I am physically working every day, so need more calories than others who have a desk job. Cutting out carbs isn't an option, unfortunately, from what I understand that's a main source of energy!
You need to figure out your daily calorific requirements, then eat slightly less by maybe 200 calories.
As for low carbing, try it for a week. You may find like many that it makes no difference to your ability to perform.
Edit: calorie counting may be a PITA but it's the only way you'll really know if you're eating too much or not. Otherwise, it's all guess work which can result in you taking much longer to achieve your goals.
Edited by Hoofy on Thursday 4th October 22:53
te said:The advice you're getting so far seems very helpful. I have one thing to add:
Rowing machines can be very dangerous, especially if you're just using them "for a thrash" as you say. I may be generalising, but on the whole, normal gym users and gym staff don't understand the forces at work when using a rowing machine.
It is REALLY easy to injure your back using them. As a chap doing a physical job, possibly self employed, the last thing you want to do is be laid up for a couple of weeks with a bad back.
We can discuss some aspects of rowing machine use here if you wish, but there is nothing better than one to one advice. Where are to based?
Rowing machines can be very dangerous, especially if you're just using them "for a thrash" as you say. I may be generalising, but on the whole, normal gym users and gym staff don't understand the forces at work when using a rowing machine.
It is REALLY easy to injure your back using them. As a chap doing a physical job, possibly self employed, the last thing you want to do is be laid up for a couple of weeks with a bad back.
We can discuss some aspects of rowing machine use here if you wish, but there is nothing better than one to one advice. Where are to based?
I've seen some horrific technique in various gyms in my time, but all the power generated in the legs has to be transferred to the handle through the back.
Imagine doing a dead-lift bent over at the waist at 90 degrees. 35 times a minute. Whilst trying to pull as hard as you can. It's a wonder more people don't injure themselves really.
Imagine doing a dead-lift bent over at the waist at 90 degrees. 35 times a minute. Whilst trying to pull as hard as you can. It's a wonder more people don't injure themselves really.
What do eat for breakfast? Seriously eating porridge for breakfast (which is excellent for you anyway) can often reduce your sweet cravings in the evenings.
Also maybe you could have something light like a banana when you finish work about an hour before training. Also eating something straight after (within 20 mins) training is very beneficial too. Milk is a good choice.
Then in the evenings if you still have sweet cravings, allow yourself something small, don't deny yourself completely or it will never last.
Also maybe you could have something light like a banana when you finish work about an hour before training. Also eating something straight after (within 20 mins) training is very beneficial too. Milk is a good choice.
Then in the evenings if you still have sweet cravings, allow yourself something small, don't deny yourself completely or it will never last.
louiebaby said:
I've seen some horrific technique in various gyms in my time, but all the power generated in the legs has to be transferred to the handle through the back.
Imagine doing a dead-lift bent over at the waist at 90 degrees. 35 times a minute. Whilst trying to pull as hard as you can. It's a wonder more people don't injure themselves really.
So it's down to form, then, because straight leg deadlifts are an accepted exercise but as you suggest, it's very easy to ruin your back if your form is wrong.Imagine doing a dead-lift bent over at the waist at 90 degrees. 35 times a minute. Whilst trying to pull as hard as you can. It's a wonder more people don't injure themselves really.
Hello chaps, apologies for the late reply, I haven't been near a computer this weekend!
I've tried low carbing before, but found that it made me really really tired, and quite grouchy too! Eating porridge is a good idea, so may well try that. It's not really sweet things that I get cravings for, more things like KFC, Maccy D's or beer really. That said, I'm not overweight, although I know I'd be a lot thinner if I had cut those things out ages ago! I guess being at work helps keep my weight at a constant. I think that I will probably go for making what I have bigger, and making sure I still eat healthily. Not having my girlfriend within close distance anymore makes me lazy when it comes to cooking as she used to cook for me! Ahhh the joys of having a girlfriend at uni! However, that will change soon, when I finally move to her in a couple of months. It's easy to slip into a routine of not bothering to cook and relying on fatty sludge, delicious though it may be!
Thanks for the advice, in particular the offer of training schemes, and also the advice about the rowing machine. I will ask the fitness instructor at the gym if there is any alternatives to this.
Apologies also if a lot of the stuff I'm saying is a bit stupid, or any questions I ask are obvious. I've never set foot in a gym before last week, so am looking to completely change my lifestyle. Hopefully one day I may be able to give up smoking too, although I have noticed a drop in the last few days. I'll keep adding to this thread, and let you know how I'm getting on if anyone is interested?
I've tried low carbing before, but found that it made me really really tired, and quite grouchy too! Eating porridge is a good idea, so may well try that. It's not really sweet things that I get cravings for, more things like KFC, Maccy D's or beer really. That said, I'm not overweight, although I know I'd be a lot thinner if I had cut those things out ages ago! I guess being at work helps keep my weight at a constant. I think that I will probably go for making what I have bigger, and making sure I still eat healthily. Not having my girlfriend within close distance anymore makes me lazy when it comes to cooking as she used to cook for me! Ahhh the joys of having a girlfriend at uni! However, that will change soon, when I finally move to her in a couple of months. It's easy to slip into a routine of not bothering to cook and relying on fatty sludge, delicious though it may be!
Thanks for the advice, in particular the offer of training schemes, and also the advice about the rowing machine. I will ask the fitness instructor at the gym if there is any alternatives to this.
Apologies also if a lot of the stuff I'm saying is a bit stupid, or any questions I ask are obvious. I've never set foot in a gym before last week, so am looking to completely change my lifestyle. Hopefully one day I may be able to give up smoking too, although I have noticed a drop in the last few days. I'll keep adding to this thread, and let you know how I'm getting on if anyone is interested?
If you low carb long enough (3-4 days?), the lethargy goes. As for healthy vs crap vs fatty food, cut down, not out. The problem with switching to a healthy, low calorie, low fat diet is that unless you're a Buddhist monk and not really a tree surgeon, this new way of life will last about 3 months before you go back to your old habits. And thus you become a yoyo dieter.
Rowing machines, specifically the Concept 2 is about the best all round cardio machine for me.
The warning's should be heeded, but not overstated. I've seen many ridiculous 'rowers' but few who are likely to seriously hurt themselves - most will gain little from it though.
I found a couple of videos very helpful: Part 1, and Part 2.
The third video however, made the difference to my technique: PM3 Monitor.
The warning's should be heeded, but not overstated. I've seen many ridiculous 'rowers' but few who are likely to seriously hurt themselves - most will gain little from it though.
I found a couple of videos very helpful: Part 1, and Part 2.
The third video however, made the difference to my technique: PM3 Monitor.
louiebaby said:
I've seen some horrific technique in various gyms in my time, but all the power generated in the legs has to be transferred to the handle through the back.
Imagine doing a dead-lift bent over at the waist at 90 degrees. 35 times a minute. Whilst trying to pull as hard as you can. It's a wonder more people don't injure themselves really.
+1Imagine doing a dead-lift bent over at the waist at 90 degrees. 35 times a minute. Whilst trying to pull as hard as you can. It's a wonder more people don't injure themselves really.
And its not just lousy technique on the concept 2 - its lousy technique on weights/machines as a whole. People can be almost hysterically bad. In the middle of a 10k row last night and noticed one guy doing lat pull downs in a truly insane manner.
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