Looking to change my life

dickm21 · 01-05-2006, 01:25 PM

Hey guys, All of my life I have been fighting the buldge. I am 23 yrs old and weight about 270 lbs on a 5' 9" fram. I want, I NEED, a lifestyle change. I would like to begin working out and becoming fit. I just dont know where to begin. I have been reading men's health and even got there 12 wk hard body workout book but i just feel so lost. I know that this proces will take years to finally be happy but I am ok with that. I would really like some advice and many some words of wisdom to help me begin... Anything would be appreciated.

TexAss · 01-05-2006, 01:37 PM

That MH 12 week program is a good start I think.

Pay the closest attention to your diet. With your diet in check you will start to see results.

If you have more specific questions I'm sure you can get help here.

dickm21 · 01-05-2006, 02:01 PM

I figured I would start something lowwer in fat and low carb until I got used to dieting then maybe starting starting something a little more hard core.. I dont think right now I should start using supliments? what do u think.

turbo350z · 01-05-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dickm21

I figured I would start something lowwer in fat and low carb until I got used to dieting then maybe starting starting something a little more hard core.. I dont think right now I should start using supliments? what do u think.

Nah, dont worry about any supplements right now except for maybye a multi-vitamin and some good whey protein. Hit the nutrition section for some great info on putting a solid diet together.

oligator01 · 01-05-2006, 02:29 PM

At this point, you probably know what you need to do. Such as a lot of cardio (bike, running, basketball, etc.), eat less and better (don't get too involved with the science yet), and lift 3-4 days a week.

Don't make it overly complicated, you will probably never want to compete in a contest so don't get too much involved in the supplementation, dieting, training programs that the bodybuilders follow.

Keep it simple and fun and you are more likely to stick with it.

TexAss · 01-05-2006, 02:34 PM

^^^^^ what he said.

Keep it simple.

Again, I'll say: I think diet will be key for you. Keep a log so you can see exactly what you are eating and how you are doing then you have some real data to go back and tweak it.

Geeper · 01-05-2006, 02:41 PM

I've been there and ANYONE CAN make the change if they really dedicate themselves to it.
I lost the most weight when that is all I focused on... diet diet diet (and I don't mean no food, I mean the right foods) and cardio. When I tried to build muscle AND loose fat it didn't work as well and I got frustrated... maybe for guys slightly overweight trying both might be OK, but when you have a lot of fat to loose I think you should aim your sights at that first and get into the muscle a bit later.

dickm21 · 01-05-2006, 04:12 PM

thanks guys for the info. Its helps a lot.. Geeper your transformation is really inspiring.. I hope one day I can look like that

Geeper · 01-05-2006, 04:45 PM

If you decide you REALLY want to you can! I know you can man! If I could, anyone can

Lars21 · 01-05-2006, 08:47 PM

Don't cut carbs too much. Just make sure you are eating quality foods. Get a lot of whole grains, lean meats, fruits and vegetables, etc. The only supplements you should consider at this point is whey protein, a multivitamin, and possibly a good MRP. Get on a good lifting program and don't neglect your cardio. Switch it up often to avoid getting burned out. Good luck!

dickm21 · 01-06-2006, 12:21 PM

thanks guys for he encouragement and advice.... keep it coming..

geoffsherman · 01-06-2006, 03:19 PM

Don't waste your money on supplements at this point. I would recommend:
(1) Get your diet in order
(2) Begin doing some form of cariod 3-4 times a week for 30-40 minute sessions
(3) Start doing circuit training type workouts, one day upper body, one day lower body
(4) Get your diet in order
(5) Start using fitday.com . Most people do not have any idea what the food they eat contains. STart using this religiously and you will have much more ifnormation to help you pick good foods for you.

The key to your success will be #1 and #4 Best of luck and as always, let us know when you need speific help (preferably after you have read the stickies and done a search)

dickm21 · 01-11-2006, 07:12 AM

Well guys wk 2 of my trans formation is well under way.... i have had a few ups and downs but seem to be keeping on track... I would like your guys opinion on fat burners, whey, and creatine. I am not looking to compete one day so I am wondering if they would be good for me to help in the fat effort. Also currently have only dumbells @ home and would like to workout @ home until I get a little more fit then move to the gym... what things should i get... Any ideas would be greatly appricated. Thanks

TexAss · 01-11-2006, 10:07 AM

Good job sticking with it!

I personally wouldn't recommend fat burners just yet (I'm sure some will disagree). I think that now with your transitioning you will see results without them. They work but I'd save them for when you really need them.

Whey can help you get your protein consumption right and keep fats/carbs lower. The diet in the MH plan might have room in it for a shake or two, I'd check that first.

I think I'd hold off on creatine for awhile as well.

Remember this won't be easy, it will take work. I think you are going to do fine.

You have alot of good advice in this thread so far.

dickm21 · 01-24-2006, 08:45 AM

Hey guys well its begining of wk 4 and I have lost a little over 8 pounds. I was hoping for a fast fat loss but i guess a loss is a loss. I have been doing 2 miles 3 days a week and I am feeling great plus I am lifting only 2 times a week because i want to consintrate on loosing a little bit more fat before diving into a strong weight program... After this week is over i am going to trying to do 3 miles one day and 2 the other to start increasing my cardio.... I feel great doing this but i am starting to get al ittle down becuase i havent seen a change @ all but I guess i have only been @ it for 3 weeks and 2 days.. I will keep you posted on my progress next week.

9cyclops9 · 01-24-2006, 09:05 AM

Congrats on the weight loss. I'd recommend that you go ahead and do a full weight routine. Your body is much more likely to hang on to the muscle you have if you give it a reason to. A 3-day per week full body program will be best for you. I'd say something like this:

Day 1

Squat
Bench
Row

Day 2

Deadlift
Military Press
Lat Pulldown

Alternate these two workouts 3 days per week. So you'd do ABA one week and BAB the next week. Do the workouts on M, W, F or T, TH, Sat. You can add in some curls, triceps stuff, calves, and abs, but don't overdo it. Those six lifts in the program are the core lifts you want to focus on. All of them are done for 3 sets of 5, and the smaller stuff (direct arm, calf, and ab work) will be done for higher reps, maybe 2 sets of 8. Add weight to the bar whenever you can. Once your strength gains slow down, you may consider switching to another program with a little higher volume. Do a lot of reading between now and then on both lifting and nutrition.

Keep it up!

dickm21 · 02-07-2006, 07:43 AM

Yesterday was the end of week 5 and i am starting to see a little difference in my clothes... even though i only have lost 11.5 lbs i think i really have lost inches.... even though i am happy about the lose. I wish that i could find a really good way to loose this weight faster.... But you know i didnt get fat in one day, so i guess this is my punishment. i am looking into buying a weight bench for my home... does anyone have any good suggestions...

dickm21 · 02-27-2006, 04:31 PM

Well this is end of week 8 i have lost a total of 16.5 lbs... I am glad that I started to do this because i just feel so much better.... I bought a scale that had body fat and OMG i almost puked when i saw the number. I wanted to post my workout to get some feedback on it. I really just started to workout these last couple of weeks... and i have already noticed that my arms and forearms especially grow the easiest.. Let me know what you guys think.

PS. I know the weight is not much but hey i just started a couple of weeks ago and i can only go up from here.

Workout 1

Eliptical 30 minsn ( 2.10 miles)
Dumbell military press 15X10 20X6 20X6
dumbell raise ( not sure of weight)
side deltoid rases 15X10 20X6 20X6
lying tri extension 10X10 15X6 15X6
dumbell curls 20X10 25X6 25X6
forearm curl 20X10 25X6 25X6
reverse forarm curl 10X10 15X6 15X6

workout 2

eliptical 30 min ( 2.10) miles
legcurls on machine
leg extensions on machine
duck squats
lunges with dumbells

workout 3
eliptical 30 mins ( 2.10 miles)
inclined bench press 70X10 110X6 110X6
dumbell fly 15X10 25X6 25X6
dumbell swing 35X10 35X10 35X10
dumbell trunk twist 10X15 10X15 10X15
oblique trunk rotaion 3 sets of 20
leg raises 3 sets of 15

i know this miht not seem but but i think its a start... i would really appreciate some constructive crititism.

Gr8Gains · 02-27-2006, 06:20 PM

Are you taking any L-Tyrosine? It is probably something that you might want to take a look at now that you are this far into your transformation. It will help to improve your thyroid function which will improve your metabolism thus making more efficient use of the diet you are on. It will also increase energy levels and help to improve your mood. Anyway do some research on it and decide for yourself.

Oh BTW... do you have a target weight that you are aiming for initially? For example say 240 or 250lbs. I think 250lbs would be great for starters since you have already lost 16.5lbs. Try and concentrate on smaller goals of 20lbs each time. When you reach your goal give yourself a big pat on the back and say "It's working man... I'm doing it, I'm really doing it!" treat yourself to a present or a cup of coffee with a friend... this will help keep you motivated.

Just a thought.

dickm21 · 03-01-2006, 07:10 AM

my goal for 12 weeks is 20 lbs.. i really dont think that will be a problem seeing that I have 4 weeks to loose 4 lbs. my long term goal is between 180-200 depending on how i feel though. does anyone else have any comments or ideas to make my workout better?

TexAss · 03-01-2006, 08:32 AM

Great progress so far.

Good job sticking with it!