So I have dabbled at gyms before, but always took somewhat of a half-assed approach to it.
30 minutes of cardio (on the easy-peasy bikes) followed by ok-but-not-great time playing with weights on machines.
I have lost a little weight this way, but nothing I could call ideal. I still had a poochy belly, and more of a 2nd chin than a neck.
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| Not me. But close enough. |
So when I moved up to Idaho, I decided to join a good gym, and fix this. New state, new outlook on life, new health and fitness goals.
I finally picked a local gym I liked, and signed up. When you sign up, you get two free sessions with a trainer.
WOO! I can finally learn a good regimen, dieting tips, and maybe make some REAL progress!
Session 1 was a meet & greet. He felt out what I was looking to accomplish, and saw that I had a pretty good attitude. We were talking while on the bikes, so I’m holding a conversation while pedaling at 100rpm…
Hard to do.
We decided the best workout for me is light on weights, heavy on reps. Keep the heart pumping at 143 beats per minute or higher, so I’m working muscles while burning fat. I want to focus on muscles I’ve been neglecting (core, chest, back, etc) so we get started.
And that’s about all I remember…
We did 6 different types of crunches, in succession, so my abs and back could get a firm workout. We switched from routine to routine, to keep the heart pumping.
Dude beat me up.
Next, off to the biceps. Do 7 of this, 7 of that, and then 7 of these.
“Good job! Now let’s work on -- dude, you ok? You look pale…”
“Fmeh?”
“Maybe you should sit down…”
“…fmeh.”
I’ve done workouts in short spurts before, but always alone. If I felt like I needed to take 5, I would. In fact, I probably took more 5’s than I spent working out.
Not with this guy. I wanted to keep up. I pushed myself to the point of almost blacking out, and paid the price.
This was me (pretty much):
But you know what? I learned a lot before I slipped into my mini-coma.
And I came back the next day, to work on the lower body…
Hoping for session #2 soon. Trying to keep my cardio up in the meantime, so I’m a little less out of shape when the beat-down commences. When that’s done, I’ll most-likely sign up for a plan where I can meet with a trainer twice a month.
Currently at 236. Goal by July 4: 200 even. That’s 3lb a week.
I can do this. It's more to get into shape and be healthier, but weight loss is always a good thing.
Are there any fitness freaks out there? If so, shoot me a few links in the form of a comment. Tips & tricks are always appreciated.
be cold all the time - i think it forces your metabolism to compensate and burn calories to keep you warm.
ReplyDeleteif you have will power then weight loss is easy - eat small healthy portions, and exercise. but easier said than done!
Awesomeness! I love getting into the swing of a workout routine. I've been out of my loop for a while & now have been injured stalling it a lil longer =/ but I'm glad you're looking forward to your next session, even if it beat the crap out of you, and it does.
ReplyDeleteThe trainer should have spotted he was pushing you too hard earlier.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the fitness campaign.
Congrats. Now you know what working out is really like. It doesn't count unless you puke halfway through your session.
ReplyDeleteHell yeah you can do it! I have to do the same. As it is I've discussed with my aunt (phd in nutrition-who knew they had those!?) about a diet plan I can live with and am doing Zumba 3 x's a week for treadmill and ondemand workouts other days. It's fun as shit...who would have ever imagined that.
ReplyDeleteThe first class towards the end (when I had a pulse in my FACE) they say ok now stand up straight, legs slightly apart, and hands on the floor, looking back between your legs---and black dots danced in my eyes and my ears rang and I said, "Whelp, here is is. Here is where the fat chick passes out in class. This is stellar." But I breathed through it and made it. Nothing worse then knowing you are miliseconds from biting it.
SO awesome that you have a whole program and trainer pulling for you. You are SO do it!!
Your post is supposed to inspire me to loose weight. This is more like weight watchers beware.
ReplyDeleteall the best dude..236 isnt bad and all the best
I know tons about fitness and whatnot since I used to coach and train a buttload so ask away if need be. Also GREAT for you! (and the clip was hilarious). Keep at it and don't give up. Allow yourself days of rest especially in the beginning. Overwork= soreness/fatigue= demotivation!
ReplyDeletei need to workout more
ReplyDeletethe gif is hilarious btw :3
I've been trying to lose weight, but I don't have the motivation to do it alone. Maybe I should try doing the meet with a trainer. :) Good luck with your next meeting!
ReplyDeletegood for you keep up the great work and you will reach your goal
ReplyDeleteI don't really know much about getting fit, BUT I've been trying to loose weight lately, and by just walking about 45 minutes every day, and not having a diet, but just moderating a bit, I lost 6 Kg in a month, so I guess I'm doing well...
ReplyDeleteJust keep momentum! There will reach a point where you'll feel you'll care less about it all, times where you'll lose less. But keep in mind you're still being healthier, even if you lose less in a week than you hope for.
ReplyDeleteI get enough exercise running my mouth. I am just fine with my chunky self. I tried the personal trainer thing for a year, and yeah, I got "toned up" but really, I didn't feel any different about myself - I just refuse to be a slave to a gym or deprive myself of food I love. I'm a terrible one to help motivate you...but YOU GO with your bad self.
ReplyDeleteI signed up for the gym last November and had a free session with the trainer. I learned a lot about dieting and what I should do for an exercise routine. I basically kept it up for about 3 weeks before I gradually stopped going. I have no idea why I lost the sudden desire to lose weight. Back then, it seemed like such a sure thing that I was going to look sexier than Jessica Alba in a bikini. But... eh..... I really want to go back to the habit, but I find myself giving up more than anything. Good luck in your endeavor!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could stick with a program. Getting in shape is always on my mind, but I just do not make the time to work out.
ReplyDeleteI was insane enough to buy my goal bikini--a very awesome and ridiculously sexy one. I told people I want to go out in the desert and get a shot of me in this flesh-colored bikini and put it on the blog. Saying that goal out loud made it hard to get yellow and turn back. Now I'm committed. I'm just going to take the attitude that making a living depends on how I look, as it did when I modeled. I took it very seriously then. So, I'm just going to live like a celebrity who knows the paparazzi is around every bush waiting to film you looking flabby. That kind of negative reinforcement usually makes me scared straight. Good luck. Sounds like a plan!
ReplyDeleteThe best motive I can give you is: "motive". Have you got it? It's the only way you will keep working out. I'm really motivated on improving my shape before summer. It's not working fast, but I can tell the difference on my performance. Patience and insistence!
ReplyDeleteFitness freak checking in.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I once signed up for a gym that had 2 free 'personal training sessions' and that was a nightmare. I'm glad yours has worked out. My sessions consisted of this creepy Brazilian guy taking off my shirt, measuring my 'body fat' with something that looked like tongs, and telling me I was 'fat' and needed to 'lose fat.' Keep in mind that I'm 5'9, 155 lbs, with a 40 inch chest and 28 inch waist. WTF?
Second, you may already know this, but my advice is to not plateau. The human body is very smart, and will easily adapt to the things you throw at it, so doing the same workout over and over will not yield constant results. You'll eventually reach a point where your body has 'adapted' to your workout and you won't lose a pound. Fix this by changing up your workout -- more sets, lighter weights, or heavier weights, less sets. Instead of cardio throw some jump rope into the mix. Etc. But variety is the key to stopping your body from plateauing.
Good luck!
I started hitting the gym a few years back...I was 91kg then and I'm 91kg now - but I can now run a half marathon or cycle 100 miles...
ReplyDeletedont overestimate yourself. most important thing is that you have fun while doing it, because if you dont, you will stop again in no time.
ReplyDeleteI went to the gym a couple times in college since it was free for students. But I knew nothing of gyms, and ended up biking and lifting some weights. I had some friends try to put me on a plan, but I hated the idea. I'm not even that bad. At the time I was maybe 200 lbs, now I am 215. I would like to get back to 200, and really, that doesn't seem like to much work, so I keep putting it off, haha. As long as I maintain, which I am good about, I am happy.
ReplyDeleteSounds rough, good luck with the fitness!
ReplyDeleteYou don't need a gym, man. Just Google "Marine Corps Daily Dozen" and thank me in about 6 weeks.
ReplyDeletegood on you! i jog everyday or so for about 30-40 mins. that's enough for me.
ReplyDeleteWell, i exercide regularly... I run and I do some power training... That's sufficient for me, and I do it by myself :p
ReplyDeleteGood luck on getting fit and losing the weight. I need to lose weight, myself and get back into the gym. the only reason I haven't is because the cost of gas is so high, I can't afford to go the the gym and back. sucks. So instead, I walk and do what I can here.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
My friend and I have a private joke: "30kg!" which equates to 65 pounds.
ReplyDeleteI figure if I can lose eight pounds a month (roughly two pounds a week), I can do it by the end of the year.
I'm not a bad ass like you, and have yet to join the gym. Motivate me! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!? :)
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