Just getting started - any help and advice appreciated

ct_roy

Hi all,

First off, this forum is an excellent source of trustworthy practical tips and I'm learning a lot about fitness and nutrition just from reading the stickies so well done everyone!

I must confess I've always been a little bit ignorant of practical nutrition and healthy living. I've always been somewhat overweight but got a shock when looking at some holiday snaps to seeing how much of a far f**ker I've become!

So while I'm learning lots here just from reading the threads I'm looking for some solid plans/pointers/advice as to how best to kick my lard arse into shape!

Questions:

1.) Is there any book/guide that ppl here would highly recommend I should read on the fundamentals of healthy living and fitness. Not necessarily a "get skinny quick" book but a good solid "bible" for getting in shape and expanding one's understanding of healthy eating and living?

2.) My stats are:
Height:6ft 2in
Weight: 114.5kg

I'm in the process of setting some weight goals. I'm pretty strongly motivated at the moment (given recent holiday snaps of my current physique being a good motivator!). Are there any good starter "non-fad" plans out there that would be designed to lose 1-2lb's a week for someone who is office based?

I've been getting to the gym at least once a week for the past few years but find it difficult to get there in the evenings due to working late quite a lot (meaning it can be 8 or 9pm before I eat dinner).

If I train in the morning (which I'm going to start) should I eat before/after? What should I eat?
I've got beginner knowledge of weight training (mainly resistance machines and some basic free weights) would a weights/cardio combo be more beneficial or just alternate on different days?

3.) Sweet tooth - I've been known to have a bit of a sweet tooth and find willpower to sometimes be my biggest challenge. Anyone recommend any tips for keeping away from the junk/sweets/booze when cutting calories? All that NLP stuff looks interesting and I'm wondering if it's worth looking at.

Thanks a million in advance.

rubadub

This book is good explaining a bit about food and why lifting is great for fat loss. http://www.burnthefat.com/

this site has excellent weight training info www.exrx.net

Could you cycle or walk to work? I cycle, it is a lot faster than driving anyway, and you save a fortune, and have far more spare time too. I much prefer functional cardio which has a proper result rather than just exercise for the sake of it, i.e. getting places quicker and saving cash while doing so.

Colm_OReilly

Beginner's routine with weights.

Beginner's routine you can do at home.

What is Fitness? - Since we contend the fitness is on the same scale as illness/health it might be worth reading.

The Paleo Diet - well worth a look through.

Chances are everything I've thrown at you will be a bit overwhelming in terms of info at first. Don't worry if you don't get it all exactly right first time or don't understand everything. Read, train, read, train, tweak, train.

Best of luck, any follow up questions, just ask!
Col

ct_roy

thanks for the tips guys - much appreciated