It's just gone 3:30pm and already I'm feeling the lack of calories...
So, feeling tired, a touch dizzy and seem to be suffering from a lack of concentration.
I am combatting this by watching fat loss programs on the BBC iPlayer and avoiding work at all costs. :-)
Just for the record, I'm drinking around a litre of water per hour.
This'll pass and I expect to feel much better by Sunday.
This is very typical of Very Low Calorie Diets and I was expecting it. I'm also expecting a headache soon enough. Simple Paracetamol will sort that when it happens.
Friday, 9 August 2013
First Exante Soup!
So, vegetable soup! For a start, it's very thick and creamy. Much more so than the CD foodpacks. this means 200ml as reocmmended isn't enough. That's a bonus as it means bigger meals, yay!
Taste wise, I'm very happy to report that the vegetable soup is actually pretty nice, so that's a winner then.
Dinner tonight is a risky choice, Thai Chicken.
I'll let you know ;-)
Exante Bar for Breakfast
OK - a boring post, but I tried my first Exante product for brekkie this morning.
I had the purple bar - no idea what flavour it was as I was bleary eyed and not with it at the time. Probably something like Toffee and Raisin.
It looks like a tracker bar, all nutty and whatnot. So at first glance it looks good. It also looks more substantial than the Cambridge Diet bars which are long and thin, this is more of a chunky affair (much like yours truly!).
So, the big question. Is it edible? more or less so, actually.
You have to remember these bars are crammed with vitamins, minerals and protein so although they resemble a tracker bar, they have all sorts of slightly synthetic flavours. I've never been a fan of the bars from CD or Lighter Life, but these seem to taste a bit nicer and I reckon i'll get on just fine with them.
Just don't expect them to taste good and you'll be pleasantly surprised. This particular flavour is more than acceptable.
Soup for lunch, will report back then!
I had the purple bar - no idea what flavour it was as I was bleary eyed and not with it at the time. Probably something like Toffee and Raisin.
It looks like a tracker bar, all nutty and whatnot. So at first glance it looks good. It also looks more substantial than the Cambridge Diet bars which are long and thin, this is more of a chunky affair (much like yours truly!).
So, the big question. Is it edible? more or less so, actually.
You have to remember these bars are crammed with vitamins, minerals and protein so although they resemble a tracker bar, they have all sorts of slightly synthetic flavours. I've never been a fan of the bars from CD or Lighter Life, but these seem to taste a bit nicer and I reckon i'll get on just fine with them.
Just don't expect them to taste good and you'll be pleasantly surprised. This particular flavour is more than acceptable.
Soup for lunch, will report back then!
Thursday, 8 August 2013
Exante Delivery!
So, here's what I received by courier, the very next day after ordering (good start! )
Haven't been to the gym in months...
My buddy Logan and I are slack, it's official. He's got two kids, I've got one. We both work full time.
There, excuses done. Back to the gym in two weeks time. Why the delay? Well, I figure it will give my body a chance to get used to the being on approx 600cals per day. Don't want to do myself a mischief now, do I?
There, excuses done. Back to the gym in two weeks time. Why the delay? Well, I figure it will give my body a chance to get used to the being on approx 600cals per day. Don't want to do myself a mischief now, do I?
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Moving on to Exante
Look, I know it's been a while but not to worry eh?
I've just got back from a two week holiday in spain and am about to undo the damage I've done in terms of lbs on the scales and acreage on the belly.
Actually, it's not that bad. I put on 1/2 a stone on hols. That's about normal for me on a two-week holiday. Not great, but at least typical.
So, I hadn't weighed myself in ages. I'm still in 34" shorts and just barely still in medium T-shirts. I know I've put weight on since I came off the Cambridge Diet ages ago, I just haven't worried too much about it as my "skinny" clothes still fit.
Now, back from hols, I know that if I want to remain in my smaller clothes, I need to be a bit proactive.
So, I weighed myself before my hols at 14st12lbs. I'd call the cambridge diet a roaring success and I've managed to keep most of the weight off.
Today, I weigh 15st5lbs. So this is my new starting point.
I was all set to go back to the lovely Jo, my Cambridge diet lady, but then my Wife asked me to look up Exante on the net. I had previously considered Exante ages ago (before I went on CD) but ruled it out on the basis that a few bloggers said it wasn't as tasty as the CD foodpacks.
Well, Exante's website offers a 4-week pack with 50% off which worked out massively cheaper than the CD. So, the plan is to split this with the Wife and we'll both try two weeks on Exante to see if we can live with the packs.
Here's what I look like now, still not bad despite being over a stone heavier than when I came off CD.
I've just got back from a two week holiday in spain and am about to undo the damage I've done in terms of lbs on the scales and acreage on the belly.
Actually, it's not that bad. I put on 1/2 a stone on hols. That's about normal for me on a two-week holiday. Not great, but at least typical.
So, I hadn't weighed myself in ages. I'm still in 34" shorts and just barely still in medium T-shirts. I know I've put weight on since I came off the Cambridge Diet ages ago, I just haven't worried too much about it as my "skinny" clothes still fit.
Now, back from hols, I know that if I want to remain in my smaller clothes, I need to be a bit proactive.
So, I weighed myself before my hols at 14st12lbs. I'd call the cambridge diet a roaring success and I've managed to keep most of the weight off.
Today, I weigh 15st5lbs. So this is my new starting point.
I was all set to go back to the lovely Jo, my Cambridge diet lady, but then my Wife asked me to look up Exante on the net. I had previously considered Exante ages ago (before I went on CD) but ruled it out on the basis that a few bloggers said it wasn't as tasty as the CD foodpacks.
Well, Exante's website offers a 4-week pack with 50% off which worked out massively cheaper than the CD. So, the plan is to split this with the Wife and we'll both try two weeks on Exante to see if we can live with the packs.
Here's what I look like now, still not bad despite being over a stone heavier than when I came off CD.
I've ordered the Exante packs and they should arrive tomorrow. I'll let you know what they're like!
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
The importance of rest
I have just discovered why having rest days are important. This week, I've been to the gym on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. I had previously managed to have at least one day off between gym work outs. So going on both Sunday and Monday were out of character. Monday, when compared to Sunday's workout felt weaker. However, take a day off and Wednesday's session was really good. I felt powerful, and actually pushed heavier weights around tonight.
Also, another thing that bears this out is that you do your muscle growing outside of the gym, ie between sessions. This means your rest days are for recovery and growth. I think that 48 hours between sessions might not be enough. You see, inadequate rest and recovery leads to overtraining and in fact either stalling your progress, or even moving backwards.
Once I discover a way of measuring my progress, maybe by weights added per month, i'll switch to a 72 hour gap between sessions to see if either my weights get lower or my growth gets bigger. The ideal situation is a balance between forcing your muscle development an allowing time to recover and grow.
I think that more research is required.
Anyway, weigh in tomorrow, and I've not been 100% good on the diet. Not even close. :-)
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Muscle and Fat
So, here's some little facts about muscle and fat:
Muscle is not related to fat. You can't turn fat into muscle, and muscle does not break down into fat.
The phrase "toning up" is bollocks. You're either building muscle or losing fat, or both. What you're talking about is body recomposition.
It is quicker to lose fat than to build muscle (unfortunately).
You can be slim but still be fat. This is called skinny-fat. In effect, small measurements but no muscle mass meaning you still look soft and flabby. This is what most ex-fat dieters become because they haven't exercised in years.
There's approximately 3500 calories in 1lb of fat, so it does take time to come off!
If you want to look emaciated like a marathon runner, then by all means, spend all your gym time on the treadmill. If you want more muscle and a good beach body, then you simply need to throw weights around. This applies to both genders. If you're concerned about cardiovascular fitness, then do some running after your weights session, not before. Don't waste your energy by doing it first. Get those muscles worked first.
If you can put on a few pounds of muscle PER YEAR, then you're doing well.
Getting defined abs is more about losing fat than exercising your stomach muscles, although that will help. Really, to show your abs, you want to get down to single-figure bodyfat percentages.
If you're overweight, don't bulk, just be in a small calorie deficit and train hard. If you're really skinny and have little muscle mass then eat a touch less and train hard. Either way, go hard or go home.
Now, i know I'm only just starting out at the gym, but the same applies to me as it does to you.
I am literally working my arse off. In fact, i'm a little sore today, this is normal if its muscle ache, just need to rest up on my off day today and work through it tomorrow. Do not try to work through an injury though.
Rest up between gym sessions, allow time for repair and growth to maximize your gains. Maybe even attending the gym three times a week might be too much. It may be that twice a week is optimal. I will test that theory out soon enough.
Hope this is useful to some of you!
Muscle is not related to fat. You can't turn fat into muscle, and muscle does not break down into fat.
The phrase "toning up" is bollocks. You're either building muscle or losing fat, or both. What you're talking about is body recomposition.
It is quicker to lose fat than to build muscle (unfortunately).
You can be slim but still be fat. This is called skinny-fat. In effect, small measurements but no muscle mass meaning you still look soft and flabby. This is what most ex-fat dieters become because they haven't exercised in years.
There's approximately 3500 calories in 1lb of fat, so it does take time to come off!
If you want to look emaciated like a marathon runner, then by all means, spend all your gym time on the treadmill. If you want more muscle and a good beach body, then you simply need to throw weights around. This applies to both genders. If you're concerned about cardiovascular fitness, then do some running after your weights session, not before. Don't waste your energy by doing it first. Get those muscles worked first.
If you can put on a few pounds of muscle PER YEAR, then you're doing well.
Getting defined abs is more about losing fat than exercising your stomach muscles, although that will help. Really, to show your abs, you want to get down to single-figure bodyfat percentages.
If you're overweight, don't bulk, just be in a small calorie deficit and train hard. If you're really skinny and have little muscle mass then eat a touch less and train hard. Either way, go hard or go home.
Now, i know I'm only just starting out at the gym, but the same applies to me as it does to you.
I am literally working my arse off. In fact, i'm a little sore today, this is normal if its muscle ache, just need to rest up on my off day today and work through it tomorrow. Do not try to work through an injury though.
Rest up between gym sessions, allow time for repair and growth to maximize your gains. Maybe even attending the gym three times a week might be too much. It may be that twice a week is optimal. I will test that theory out soon enough.
Hope this is useful to some of you!
The Gym
So, a couple of posts ago, i mentioned that i was going to start back down the gym again. I have moved to a new gym that's just opened. Its very cheap and doesn't have such luxuries as a jacuzzi, swimming pool or sauna etc. Probably just as well as none of these actually constitute any form of exercise.
I am working on a full body routine, that consists of the "Big Five" exercises. These are:
1) chest press
2) lat pull-down
3) vertical press
4) leg press
5) horizontal row
Because i am building muscle, i am pushing heavy weights in 3 sets of 8 reps, with minimal rest in between sets.
This is proving enough to stimulate growth and is yielding pretty fast results. Of course, important still enjoying the beginner gains and will have to tweak things in about 6 months time or so. My aim is to add more weight to most of the exercises every week in order to continue muscle development.
I can already see changes in my arms and shoulders.
My aim is to go down the gym three times a week, allowing at least 24 hours between each session for recovery. So far, I have actually gone four times a week, purely because I alternate with the wife so one of us can look after the baby so my routine isn't quite where it should be at the moment. Rest is actually more important than training in terms of muscle growth because the repair and growth only occurs outside of the gym.
New year and the diet continues...
So, we're now into January, and I managed to lose a total of two pounds over the festive period. I'm pretty happy with that actually because I had a full Christmas dinner, boxing day food, and then had various err cheat days whilst having family and friends over for meals etc.
Now all the festivities are over, i am back on the 810 plan and will continue to lose my last 21lbs.
Friday, 28 December 2012
Christmas weigh-in
I stayed the same! what a result! Especially when you consider the amount of food I ate.
In all fairness, i have been better than most years.
In other news, I will start going to the gym again. A new one has opened up in my town www.thegymgroup.co.uk. its only £10.99 a month and on a monthly rolling contract so no commitment necessary!
Sunday, 16 December 2012
Ate out successfully last night!
So, it was my mum's birthday meal in an italian restaurant last night.
I had calamari to start, which i wouldnt have had if it said on the menu it was in batter, but never mind.
Then i had a caesar salad. Go me!
So thats a low carb restaurant meal dealt with. Not bad.
Have had a couple of slices of home made pizza that the baby wouldnt eat. Its always the weekends where i struggle amd cheat. Ive been up since 4am with the baby and am practically asleep on my feet. Thats why i make bad food decisions at the weekend.
Oh well, roll on Thursdays weigh in to check the damage.
Friday, 14 December 2012
Now with added Carb Hangover!
Yesterday, my boss bought me a hamper full of goodies for Christmas. Bugger!
I gave everything carb-related away. Everything except a box of luxury fruit pastilles. Last night, I ate the whole box, probably around 600 Calories because I'm stupid, stupid, STUPID!
S-T-U-P-I-D
Anyway, I'm not worried about the extra calories, but, I have the mother of all carb hangovers!
Seriously, it feels like I drunk 8 pints last night! It feels exactly the same. Slightly nauseous, slightly tired and lethargic, foggy-headed and a little irritable.
You can go over on your calories a bit, but you really shouldn't eat a whole load of carbs when your body isn't used to them. It just isn't worth it. So no more cheating on the Cambridge Diet for me (hopefully)!
You'd think I'd know better, but clearly I don't. Well, lets hope I've learnt the lesson at last...
I now have a couple of days of feeling ropey until my body settles down again. Bah.
This weekend, I'm going out to an Italian restaurant for my Mum's birthday. Hopefully, with this carb hangover fresh in my mind, I'll do the right thing and have a chicken salad.
I gave everything carb-related away. Everything except a box of luxury fruit pastilles. Last night, I ate the whole box, probably around 600 Calories because I'm stupid, stupid, STUPID!
S-T-U-P-I-D
Anyway, I'm not worried about the extra calories, but, I have the mother of all carb hangovers!
Seriously, it feels like I drunk 8 pints last night! It feels exactly the same. Slightly nauseous, slightly tired and lethargic, foggy-headed and a little irritable.
You can go over on your calories a bit, but you really shouldn't eat a whole load of carbs when your body isn't used to them. It just isn't worth it. So no more cheating on the Cambridge Diet for me (hopefully)!
You'd think I'd know better, but clearly I don't. Well, lets hope I've learnt the lesson at last...
I now have a couple of days of feeling ropey until my body settles down again. Bah.
This weekend, I'm going out to an Italian restaurant for my Mum's birthday. Hopefully, with this carb hangover fresh in my mind, I'll do the right thing and have a chicken salad.
Back to Blogging... Where am I at and where have I been?
Right, here's a little update as to what's been going on.
I last posted at the end of July and was still a pretty respectable weight of 14st2lbs, but had fallen off the wagon a bit. In my last post, I mentioned that I had moved up to the 1000 calorie plan and that I was struggling to get to grips with it.
For a few weeks, I was putting on the odd pound here and there, occasionally losing a little but basically ended up hovering around 14st4lbs.
Then we had one of those little challenges that life throws at us from time to time. The wife had a ruptured appendix and was rushed into hospital for an emergency appendectomy. She was very seriously ill, which caught us both off-guard as we assumed that because it's such a common operation, it was a minor one. How wrong we were.
The rules of the Cambridge Diet say that you can't be on a VLCD within three months of any surgery. As the wife and I are doing the diet together, we both came off the diet together.
Because the wife was so ill, it meant that I was doing everything. All baby-related duties, all the shopping, the cleaning, the washing etc.. absolutely everything for our little family. All whilst working full time.
Between the general tiredness and stress of it all, I was eating for both comfort and extra energy so I put on a little weight.
I ended up at 15st4lbs. I felt pretty bloated, pretty ugly and my 34" jeans that I was so proud to be in were getting pretty bloody tight!
So, as soon as the three month's time limit was up, we got straight back on the Cambridge Diet to finish the weight loss journey that we started back in January 2012.
This time, we've started on the 810 calorie plan as opposed to sole-source. This means three food packs a day and a dinner (no carbs).
I have to confess, I've been having the three food packs, but having a smaller than recommended dinner as I'd prefer to be on sole source because I don't want to run the risk of eating like a pig.
My current weight is back down to 13st12lbs as of 13th Dec 2012.
My lightest weight on the diet was 13st8lbs. I'm going to remain on the 810 plan until I'm down to 12st. Then we'll see how I look.
In terms of BMI, I want to be smack-bang in the middle of the normal range. For my height (6'2") That would be somewhere around 12st7lbs. I'm going below this because I know that when I add carbs back into my diet, my body will retain up to 10lbs in water.
Cheers,
Rich
I last posted at the end of July and was still a pretty respectable weight of 14st2lbs, but had fallen off the wagon a bit. In my last post, I mentioned that I had moved up to the 1000 calorie plan and that I was struggling to get to grips with it.
For a few weeks, I was putting on the odd pound here and there, occasionally losing a little but basically ended up hovering around 14st4lbs.
Then we had one of those little challenges that life throws at us from time to time. The wife had a ruptured appendix and was rushed into hospital for an emergency appendectomy. She was very seriously ill, which caught us both off-guard as we assumed that because it's such a common operation, it was a minor one. How wrong we were.
The rules of the Cambridge Diet say that you can't be on a VLCD within three months of any surgery. As the wife and I are doing the diet together, we both came off the diet together.
Because the wife was so ill, it meant that I was doing everything. All baby-related duties, all the shopping, the cleaning, the washing etc.. absolutely everything for our little family. All whilst working full time.
Between the general tiredness and stress of it all, I was eating for both comfort and extra energy so I put on a little weight.
I ended up at 15st4lbs. I felt pretty bloated, pretty ugly and my 34" jeans that I was so proud to be in were getting pretty bloody tight!
So, as soon as the three month's time limit was up, we got straight back on the Cambridge Diet to finish the weight loss journey that we started back in January 2012.
This time, we've started on the 810 calorie plan as opposed to sole-source. This means three food packs a day and a dinner (no carbs).
I have to confess, I've been having the three food packs, but having a smaller than recommended dinner as I'd prefer to be on sole source because I don't want to run the risk of eating like a pig.
My current weight is back down to 13st12lbs as of 13th Dec 2012.
My lightest weight on the diet was 13st8lbs. I'm going to remain on the 810 plan until I'm down to 12st. Then we'll see how I look.
In terms of BMI, I want to be smack-bang in the middle of the normal range. For my height (6'2") That would be somewhere around 12st7lbs. I'm going below this because I know that when I add carbs back into my diet, my body will retain up to 10lbs in water.
Cheers,
Rich
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Still on it, just differently.
I got down to 13st 8lbs, which was amazing. I've been consistently err... cheating on the diet. Essentially, I moved up a couple of steps to the 1200 plan which basically killed it for me. I found it all too much. Over the last couple of months, I've stabilised at around 14 stone 2lbs.
That's not a bad result, all things considered. Not good enough though.
I've also been going down the gym, only once a week, and i've missed a few sessions due to work/baby/life commitments, but I'm seeing results in terms of muscle growth.
The wife and I have decided to re-double our efforts and we're back down to the 810 plan. I'm hoping to get down to 12 stone dead.
I'll keep you posted.
That's not a bad result, all things considered. Not good enough though.
I've also been going down the gym, only once a week, and i've missed a few sessions due to work/baby/life commitments, but I'm seeing results in terms of muscle growth.
The wife and I have decided to re-double our efforts and we're back down to the 810 plan. I'm hoping to get down to 12 stone dead.
I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
A month since my last post
And basically fuck-all has happened.
I'm down to 13st, and am stuck there. I'm eating like a pig and am cheating on my diet every day as I'm absolutely crazy for carbs. I just can't help myself.
On the plus side, my gym antics mean I'm starting to see muscle growth which means I must in theory be losing some body fat if I still weigh the same each week.
So even if I continue this way, my body should be looking better in three months time. Of course, I'm desperate to knock the cheats on the head but I can't seem to stop myself.
Must. Do. Better.
I'm down to 13st, and am stuck there. I'm eating like a pig and am cheating on my diet every day as I'm absolutely crazy for carbs. I just can't help myself.
On the plus side, my gym antics mean I'm starting to see muscle growth which means I must in theory be losing some body fat if I still weigh the same each week.
So even if I continue this way, my body should be looking better in three months time. Of course, I'm desperate to knock the cheats on the head but I can't seem to stop myself.
Must. Do. Better.
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Omg! Eating like a pig on the 1000 plan.
I've only been on this plan for just over two days and instead if satisfying me more, it's actually making me hungry!
I've cheated and eaten 3 pepperami's yesterday, thankfully no carbs and only 100 calories each. I also added about 50g of ham to my lunchtime salad which is supposed to be plain. To make up for this, I didn't have chicken with my dinner. According to an app on my phone, I consumed around 1600 calories yesterday. I also did some exercise which might have helped a bit.
Thankfully, I should be able to get a grip on this and still lose a little weight this week. I still ate less than the maintenance amount of calories so should be ok.
My CDC wants me to stop losing weight anyway so I guess I'm helping her!
I've cheated and eaten 3 pepperami's yesterday, thankfully no carbs and only 100 calories each. I also added about 50g of ham to my lunchtime salad which is supposed to be plain. To make up for this, I didn't have chicken with my dinner. According to an app on my phone, I consumed around 1600 calories yesterday. I also did some exercise which might have helped a bit.
Thankfully, I should be able to get a grip on this and still lose a little weight this week. I still ate less than the maintenance amount of calories so should be ok.
My CDC wants me to stop losing weight anyway so I guess I'm helping her!
Friday, 6 April 2012
Day 94 result, and the start of my food rehab
4lbs off!
I'm now 13st 10lbs and am officially on the road to foodie recovery! My CDC has now moved me up to stage 3 which is 1000 calories. I have eaten so much food today it's unreal!
I also cheated a little as it's Easter. I ate a cadbury's creme egg. I figured what the hell, if I'm going to be eating 1000 calories and exercising too then why not? A normal, thin person wouldn't worry about it and nor should I.
So far, it seems as though what I'm choosing to eat has improved so maybe my brain is being rewired as part of this process.
I'm now 13st 10lbs and am officially on the road to foodie recovery! My CDC has now moved me up to stage 3 which is 1000 calories. I have eaten so much food today it's unreal!
I also cheated a little as it's Easter. I ate a cadbury's creme egg. I figured what the hell, if I'm going to be eating 1000 calories and exercising too then why not? A normal, thin person wouldn't worry about it and nor should I.
So far, it seems as though what I'm choosing to eat has improved so maybe my brain is being rewired as part of this process.
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Weigh in tonight. Will I be in the 13's?
I have no idea, I certainly hope so! I'll let you know!
:-)
:-)
Gym and excercise in general
I've reached the point where losing fat isn't enough any more. Although I'm extremely happy to be where I am in terms of my body shape, I know that being slimmer isn't the end of the journey.
I have good solid legs from carting too much fat around for years, but my upper body strength is almost non-existant. For some reason, I thought that once I'd lost the fat, I'd have a good body with some muscle definition, however there's none.
This means I must excercise!
Because I have a baby, I have no idea how many times a week I can get out to the gym, therefore I run the risk of losing out financially if I go to a posh gym and pay the ~£60 monthly fee. I need a gym where you can just turn up, pay a fiver and think no more of it.
Now, this rules out all the "corporate" gym chains like Virgin Gym, Fitness First etc. Luckily enough, there's two council run gyms in my town. One is tiny and only has about 10 machines but has the benefit of being 5 minutes from my house. The other is a bigger "flagship" gym in the sports centre across town which has more kit, but is further away, and costs more per session.
I had my induction at the local gym with a lady who was in her 50's but was as fit as a fiddle. She ran me through all the machines and knackered me out quite sufficiently. She was totally lovely and put me at ease as I was actually pretty nervous.
I now know what I'm doing and will be hitting the gym regularly.
In order to build muscle, you have to lift heavy weights. It's no good running miles and miles on a treadmill. That will keep you slim certainly, but you could actually lose muscle doing that.
Also, bigger muscles burn more calories so it's a win-win situation really.
I'll keep you posted with photo's and logs still. This blog will continue to include my weigh-ins, cambridge diet plans too. I'm just expanding it a little.
This will take a while, be very hard work, but should also be well worth it.
I have good solid legs from carting too much fat around for years, but my upper body strength is almost non-existant. For some reason, I thought that once I'd lost the fat, I'd have a good body with some muscle definition, however there's none.
This means I must excercise!
Because I have a baby, I have no idea how many times a week I can get out to the gym, therefore I run the risk of losing out financially if I go to a posh gym and pay the ~£60 monthly fee. I need a gym where you can just turn up, pay a fiver and think no more of it.
Now, this rules out all the "corporate" gym chains like Virgin Gym, Fitness First etc. Luckily enough, there's two council run gyms in my town. One is tiny and only has about 10 machines but has the benefit of being 5 minutes from my house. The other is a bigger "flagship" gym in the sports centre across town which has more kit, but is further away, and costs more per session.
I had my induction at the local gym with a lady who was in her 50's but was as fit as a fiddle. She ran me through all the machines and knackered me out quite sufficiently. She was totally lovely and put me at ease as I was actually pretty nervous.
I now know what I'm doing and will be hitting the gym regularly.
In order to build muscle, you have to lift heavy weights. It's no good running miles and miles on a treadmill. That will keep you slim certainly, but you could actually lose muscle doing that.
Also, bigger muscles burn more calories so it's a win-win situation really.
I'll keep you posted with photo's and logs still. This blog will continue to include my weigh-ins, cambridge diet plans too. I'm just expanding it a little.
This will take a while, be very hard work, but should also be well worth it.
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