Gym Training; What's best for weight loss?

[BrizoH71]

At 41 years old, and a good 3st overweight, I'm incredibly unfit. Aside from an occasional round of golf, my main exercise consists of walking up and down stairs to my flat, and walking the dog.

And so, I've just joined up to a local gym in order to try to get rid of the sizeable spare tyre around my waist, and to improve on my fitness. Its through The Gym Group and as far as I can tell, the gym's business model is that if you want a personal training plan, you need to pay an additional fee, on top of my membership.

As the gym is 24/7 I'll be using it predominantly in the early hours of the morning, on my way to work, when the gym is unmanned and at weekends. As such, I don't feel I'd benefit from paying the additional fee as I likely wouldn't see enough of the trainers to make it worthwhile. I had an induction this morning to see how the equipment worked and to get an orientation of where everything is.

I put myself through a 'gentle' 30 minute treadmill session, doing 5 minutes' brisk walking @ 5mph and 5 minutes running at @ 10mph, followed by a 15 minute session on a cross-trainer, which just about broke me. Managed to get through it all without having a heart-attack though, and while that session won't impress the fitness fanatics among you lot, I was quietly pleased with myself that I got through it all. Obviously a long way to go though, and I now need to start building on it.

First and foremost, my major aim is to shift the spare tyre and lose a bit of weight; I'd also like to tone up some muscles as well, although I'm not looking to beef up like a bodybuilder.

I know I have to change my diet and cut down on the bevvy, but in terms of exercise, whats best to lose weight and shed the spare tyre?

 

[Foxholer]

Stopping eating and drinking (so much) is easily the best way to lose weight.

As increasing your general fitness tends to convert excess fat to muscle, you will generally add weight before you take it off!

I'd suggest that, unless exorbitant, the additional cost of a Personal Fitness Program is worthwhile - certainly initially, as it's also possible to cause harm by doing the wrong exercises for what you want to achieve.

Swimming is still the best all-round exercise I know.

Good Luck

 

[Lump]

Stopping eating and drinking (so much) is easily the best way to lose weight.

Nail on the head.

I've lost 4st this year (Creeped back up by 10lbs thanks to a holiday) and all I basically did was to watch what I was eating and cut the rubbish out. You'd be amazed how much you can cut out when you start thinking about it. I stopped eating bread and crisps.

 

[CMAC]

remember muscle is heavier than flab so its not all about weight.

I had a personal trainer for 3 mths- plus my brother trains martial arts people and my cousin is a PT.

Key thing is how your clothes 'hang' on you and how you feel, both are heavier than me but they look 10 times better.

Food is important and small and often is a good mind set.

Good luck

 

[Andy]

Kettlebells Class will do wonders if your Gym runs them? Lots of CV and the added use of the kettle will strengthen your core which is ideal for golf.

As mentioned previous I would also say the added cost of a PT is money well spent for the few months to start your new regime. It will set you off on the right track and being able to pick on the PT's knowledge is amazing for any questions you might have.

Best of luck.

 

[Robobum]

Don't be overly concerned about what you do in the gym to start off with. If you are carrying excess and are new to exercise, as long as you get a good old puff and sweat on for about 40 mins or so, you'll see the benefit in a short time as long as you improve your diet to go with it.
Try to do a mix of all sorts of exercises - run, row, cycle....good luck

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Fat does not turn into muscle it's a myth.

If you want to drop KG then don't bother too much with heavy resistance training just hit the road and run it off. If you want to stay indoors then skipping and boxing are great ways of burning up that fat. If you are a member of a FANCY gym then spin class is a real fat burner.

 

[fundy]

As others have said, an improved diet is the main driver of weight loss, calories in minus calories out and all that. Personally have been using bits of Rosedale diet and also Paleo diet (the 2 have a lot of similarities), basically cutting out refined sugar and starchy carbs and focussing on eating lean meats, fruit and veg and as little processed food as possible. Ultimately they are a better way of living and lifestyle changes rather than a strict diet. In addition I do bits of cycling and a couple of Kettlebell sessions a week, great for an all over session as you get strength training and a cardio workout combined.

 

[richy]

Stopping eating and drinking (so much) is easily the best way to lose weight.

As increasing your general fitness tends to convert excess fat to muscle, you will generally add weight before you take it off!

I'd suggest that, unless exorbitant, the additional cost of a Personal Fitness Program is worthwhile - certainly initially, as it's also possible to cause harm by doing the wrong exercises for what you want to achieve.

Swimming is still the best all-round exercise I know.

Good Luck

You can't turn fat into muscle. You can burn fat and gain muscle which is a totally different thing.

 

[ScienceBoy]

You don't need a gym, it will be a waste of money.

1. Get a membership at a pool, swim instead.
2. Eat better as described above.
3. Make some lifestyle changes to build in exercise ie walking journeys that will will take 15 mins there and back.

 

[SocketRocket]

Exercise is good for you but rubbish for losing weight. Stop eating Carbohydrates, the weight will fall off you, carbs are unrefined sugar.

Get the book 'Waist Disposal' by Dr John Briffa. It tells you all you need to know about the way the body makes and stores fat and the easiest way to get rid of it. It works and you dont need to count calories. You wil be surprised on what foods are best and worst for losing weight.

 

[BrizoH71]

Cheers all, a lot of 'food' for thought.

 

[CMAC]

got an XBOX Kinect? the new Nike Training software is exceptional and in the privvy of your own home........blinds drawn of course

 

[pbrown7582]

It's a combination for diet exercise and weights for best results. As you lose weight and get fitter you need to do a bit of weights exercise as well nothing to strenuous but just a bit of toning. Stomach crunches is something else to consider. The best advice you will get is from the gym staff or someone doing sports science course. Diet exercise they will be able to help with it all.