Gym Based PT

[DSLiverpool]

Chaps reality check, 50, 18 stone, 5ft 7 practically round - its shutting the gate after the horse has bolted but I am determined to do something.
I have a treadmill and static bike in the house but lack willpower, I need the routine of going somewhere to stick with it.
I dont want to change my badish diet (I know I know But I wont stick to that) I just want to move and by moving I intend to lose some of the weight and get more flexible.
Is a Gym base PT the way to go? am I deluded, I know Im lazy can i stave off dying a little longer? any tales of inspiration?
Im a type 2 diabetic but otherwise Im ok ?!?

Edited by DSLiverpool on Saturday 15th February 12:28

[bigunit00]

You will need a combination of weights / cardio / diet to get things moving. If you dont change your diet at your age you will be pushing the proverbial uphill. I actually think that for most people one session with a good pt a week is very useful. Key word there is "good" so someone with a track record of results. At the end of the day if you don't hold yourself accountable and put in the hard yards you won't go anywhere.

[22s]

DSLiverpool said:

Chaps reality check, 50, 18 stone, 5ft 7 practically round - its shutting the gate after the hourse has bolted but I am determined to do something.
I have a treadmill and static bike in the house but lack willpower, I need the routine of going somewhere to stick with it.
I dont want to change my badish diet (I know I know But I wont stick to that) I just want to move and by moving I intend to lose some of the weight and get more flexible.
Is a Gym base PT the way to go? am I deluded, I know Im lazy can i stave off dying a little longer? any tales of inspiration?
Im a type 2 diabetic but otherwise Im ok ?!?

Great to see you're doing something about it.

Basically, from the sounds of it, you have absolutely no clue what to do (which is the same as most people!). Therefore, I think PT is the best way to go. They will keep you motivated, have a proper routine to help you reach your goals and can also help out with a diet plan. Without this, you'll probably read a few web pages, go to the gym, hate it and then give up after a month.

As the previous poster stated, it's important to get a GOOD PT too - so ask around and see if anyone can recommend.

Best of luck.

[CharlieCrocodile]

Similar position to yourself, 40, 6'2", 16st 12lb (started at 18st), I had exercised properly for about 14 years. 24 hour gym opened near me a year ago which gave me the motivation to get myself sorted. I didn't make too much progress so spoke to one of the in-house PT's, I now see him twice a week and it's by far the best thing I ever did.

[Hoofy]

DSLiverpool said:

I dont want to change my badish diet (I know I know But I wont stick to that)

I agree. I advise small changes over time. I used to eat pretty terribly but now I eat pretty healthily.

If you cba to use your own kit, how about taking up a sport? It could be as simple as a kick about in the park with your kids (or steal some if you don't have kids ) or joining a sports club. Check out meetup.com for activities going on around you. You could play something established like tennis or football, or something a little more unusual like dodgeball.

[Bolebroke]

You will need a combination of weights / cardio / diet to get things moving. If you dont change your diet at your age you will be pushing the proverbial uphill. I actually think that for most people one session with a good pt a week is very useful. Key word there is "good" so someone with a track record of results. At the end of the day if you don't hold yourself accountable and put in the hard yards you won't go anywhere.

This is all you need to know. I was 47 years old, 5 foot 7 and pushing 13 stone. Had been a racing cyclist. Ate / drank too much. I use a PT on Monday. He sends through tailored plan for me daily. I do it. I don't drink alcohol, I eat properly. Now 9 stone 7 and never fitter / leaner. It is so simple. Exercise and diet. You can achieve whatever YOU want. You will either get it or you won't. Anything is possible if you want it. Depends on YOU ! Best of luck

[2.5pi]

Hi DSliverpool

I've seen some members at my gym move from your shape to pretty darn fit relatively quickly, it generally involves a PT and regular attendance , you may well find that as the exercise regime kicks in you start getting a hankering after healthy food and become conscious of not undoing the hard work by eating ste.

You've got motivation in other areas judging by your posting/car history , this is your most important challenge ever.

Good luck..and get your lard arse to a good gym ASAP

[stew-S160]

Exercise will help, but at your age/status, your diet will be the biggest factor. If I were your PT, I'd be 'pushing' for diet changes above everything else.

Good on your for having the willingness to use the equipment you have, but don't discount going for a walk for an hour when you have the gear at home.

[grumbledoak]

You should seriously think about changing your diet. You are not going to be physically able to burn off the 8 stone you need to lose. You need to stop pouring it in at the top.

And you have type 2 diabetes! Seriously, google "type 2 diabetes diet cure" and think again.

[Mojooo]

Sorrt fatty - I agree with others that diet is key.

I did some pretty high level weight lifting and cardio and although I lost weight - until I changed my diet i didnt notice changes as quick.

[evo4a]

without changing your diet your weight loss will be soooo slow I suspect you will give up.
Change your diet and you will lose a stone in the first month.
The more weight you lose the quicker your fitness levels will rise.
It's all linked.

Type 2 diabetes and you won't change your diet!!!!!

[GG89]

I've witnessed a few people like yourself come to my gym in the last couple of years and went on structured programmes with the PT's and the results are remarkable.

Having a PT will push you along when you're not really feeling like it. As you book the time slots you know it's their time too so will be more inclined to actually go, when you start seeing results you will be hooked.

The gym is virgin active, not the cheapest in town but they have very good facilities.

Edit to add, you WILL need to clean up your diet mate.

[CharlieCrocodile]

Thought I'd reply again to this after my previous one. Before my first reply I asked my PT to sort a diet out for me, it appears he's given me a carb cycling one where I have day with high/medium & low carb but I need to eat 2230 calories a day with the carb/protein/fat amounts adjusted for each day depending if it's a high/medium/low carb day.

The results have been great so far...in a week I've lost half a stone, the biggest changes have been eating a proper breakfast so greek yoghurt, nuts, honey followed by porridge. My breakfast previously? a coffee with two sugars.
Speaking of sugar, I'd have at least 5 cups a day each with 2 sugars, I've cut it out completely and what I've been reading is that processed sugar is now as bad for you as tobacco & alcohol is, and going by the weight loss in the past week I'll agree. Last Saturday was by far the hardest day as I craved sugar for most of it.

It's been a hard week, and there's been a couple where I haven't had a proper lunch due to work so haven't met my goal of 2230 cals a day. To help with lunch I've found various places in London that cater specifically for low carb or at least good, healthy food - Vital Ingredient, Pure, Pod, Tossed & Pancho8. Pancho8 do a great S-lo carb box, fills you up but you don't get the 3pm lull!

My advice is go see a PT, work out with them and sort out the diet.

[Hoofy]

CharlieCrocodile said:

The results have been great so far...in a week I've lost half a stone, the biggest changes have been eating a proper breakfast so greek yoghurt, nuts, honey followed by porridge. My breakfast previously? a coffee with two sugars.
Speaking of sugar, I'd have at least 5 cups a day each with 2 sugars, I've cut it out completely and what I've been reading is that processed sugar is now as bad for you as tobacco & alcohol is, and going by the weight loss in the past week I'll agree.

I wouldn't confuse carb cycling, sugar and reduced calorie eating. You're probably losing weight because
1) You're busting your arse in the gym
2) You're eating less than you ate before whether it's down to eating fewer carbs or less sugar

The problem is that you've changed 4 things so you can't say "Sugar is bad mmkay"
1) Exercise (am guessing you did less when you were heavier)
2) You're eating less
3) You've cut down sugar
4) You're eating fewer carbs generally

Get what I mean?

[CharlieCrocodile]

If anything I'm eating more, much more to the point where I'm struggling to get the food in. But it's good food, not bread, sweets, fast or processed food, crisps....the list could go on and on.

One other thing, I've also got a fitbit flex band linked to my phone. That's a great motivation tool for me, but then I love gadgets

[Hoofy]

CharlieCrocodile said:

If anything I'm eating more, much more to the point where I'm struggling to get the food in. But it's good food, not bread, sweets, fast or processed food, crisps....the list could go on and on.

I bet you're eating fewer calories.

The thing about "healthy" food is generally lower density calorie-wise (unless you start increasing your oil and nut intake) (if that makes sense?).

Interestingly, people tend to eat the same volume if they don't count calories so whether they pad out their stomachs with crisps and biscuits or lettuce, they'll eat the same volume but the calories can vary.

On MFP, you'll get obese people finding they can barely fit in 1000 kcals of food because they go ultra healthy.