Lots of questions before I start my life transformation!

Clarehobo

So I’ve decided to transform myself from the incredible blob (which I have become as a result of years of self-abuse through alcohol, processed foods & general slobbish behaviour) into a lean, mean, bikini wearing machine;)

Seriously though my fitness levels have sunk to an all time low since returning from travelling & I have an urge to be able to climb the flights of stairs to my room without running out of breath!

I want to do this properly but I also want to be realistic here: I don’t expect to drop a huge amount of weight or run a marathon in a month but I do want to lay the building blocks to a healthier me so I think getting my exercise right is the first thing on the cards.

And with that I have a few questions to try & improve my (in times past) normal routine:

1) First of all, how do you calculate your body fat %?
- Can I do it myself without the calipers, or is it something they do as standard in a gym?

2) Normally my time in the gym is divided evenly between cardio and weights.
If the machines I want are available, I always start with cardio.
In a few different places on this forum I’ve seen mention of doing the resistance training first.
- Does this make any difference to fitness/fat burning levels?
- Or is it just about preferences?

3) Having read the below article on another site, does anyone have any suggestions for a good routine that would implement the theory behind it? I’m not too well up on all the terminology he’s using in the article but I think I have a good grasp of it.
Normally the routine any trainers have given me to follow in the past are pretty much along the same lines: cardio & resistance so I was thinking I might try something different this time for a bit of variety…
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1526539

4) I read a thread where one of the guys was going to introduce skipping into his fitness regime.
I get easily bored with cardio & don’t like running so I’m looking at ways of varying my exercise pattern. Also, I won’t be able to get to a gym as much as I’d like due to shift work hours & so won’t be on the cross trainer(which is the only cardio I don’t really get bored on).
- Is skipping a good idea?
- Also, I wouldn’t be a pro at it despite doing the skipathon at the ripe age of 11;) Is there any good video stream/site with various techniques & what benefit they have?

5) Pilates Vs. Yoga Vs. Callanetics
I’m thinking of taking a few classes to improve my posture, etc… but I’m not sure which would best fit into my life & be of significant benefit.
- How do they compare to one another?
- What changes did you notice with them if you did these for a period of time?
- What’s everyone’s opinion on these exercises?


6) Choosing the right gym is always a big thing with me as I like to feel comfortable where I exercise but also, sometimes I just want to get in & out without having to queue for equipment.
Having just moved into a new house, the closest one to me is the Carlisle at the KCR.
There doesn’t seem to be a website for it & I haven’t seen any reviews for it:
- Can anyone advise me what the equipment & staff are like?
- Also, how busy does it get?


So that’s me & my million questions!

If anyone can help me with any of these questions, it’d be much appreciated.
All advice is welcome as I’m only starting to formulate my fitness plans!

(I know it looks like I’m trying to take in too much, but this is going to be a gradual life style change so it won’t all be happening at once:D )