Newbie here!

LizT

Hey guys,

I'm looking for advice. I'm joining my university gym in a bid to lose weight. I'm not talking about a few extra pounds, I am overweight- I have a BMI of 31 and I honestly don't want to be at this weight for the rest of my life. As you can guess my fitness level is relatively low so I'm not expecting results straight away. I know a huge thing is my diet, which I am trying to improve this year.

I intend to go to the gym 3 times a week and possibly attend the odd spin class. What should I be doing to increase my fitness level and burn fat?
In the past I have just gone on the treadmill, bicycle, cross trainer and stepper. Does any one have any advice for me?

brianblaze

Change your diet is the first main one. Then maybe look into some supplements. Go online and read reviews.

I know a few girls who used 'Alli' and highly reccomend it.

Good Luck!

--amadeus--

Diet is a good starting point - have a good mooch through the sticky threads and feel free to post up a sample of what you would eat on a normal day, people are friendly around here and will be more than willing to give advice on what can be improved.

I wouldn't go rushing straight to Alli or other pills though. Google "Alli side effects" for some of the reasons...

You say you've done treadmill, bicycle, cross trainer and stepper. Did you start them and then stop or are you still doing them? Weight loss should be pretty simple - burn more calories than you consume and you'll lose weight. Find an excercise you like and do it frequently while keeping an eye on what you eat and you'll make progress.

LizT

To be clear, I used to go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week and I did that for a while about two years ago. I stopped going then because I didn't have enough time. So I haven't really been getting any exercise for the past year, apart from a few kms walk a week. Now I just want to lose weight and become fitter and healthier. I have a great support system of friends and family who are supporting me and coercing me into going to the gym when I don't feel like it!

Are spin classes good for burning fat?

--amadeus--

I've never done a spin class so I wouldn't be the best to comment. From what I know they are quite intense so you'll probably burn a lot of calories for the time spent.

But you might be better burning (for example) 200 calories an hour for five hours a week rather than 500 calories in an hour, if you know what I mean. Sometimes you can do an intensive exercise for a short burst and think you have it all under control wheras what you need to do is work less hard for longer, burning more calories overall.

In terms of whats best...anything you'll do and stick to. Maybe join a club rather than a gym? Cycling, climbing, kayaking or whatever you're into. That way the exercise wont feel like exercise.

[edit] No one ever has "enough time". You have to make the time, get up early or sacrifice other activities in the evening, go to the gym over your lunch break or whatever. There are 168 hours in the week. 8 hours sleep per night is 56. 8 hours work Monday to Friday (and you'll be the first student in history to do that!) is 40. 168 - (56+40) = 72. More than enough time for exercise!

LizT

--amadeus-- wrote: »

[edit] No one ever has "enough time". You have to make the time, get up early or sacrifice other activities in the evening, go to the gym over your lunch break or whatever. There are 168 hours in the week. 8 hours sleep per night is 56. 8 hours work Monday to Friday (and you'll be the first student in history to do that!) is 40. 168 - (56+40) = 72. More than enough time for exercise!

Thanks for your advice but 4-5 hours a week is really all I can manage. I have so much work to do this year that 8 hours a week barely makes a mark!

I'm getting a training programme made up for me in the gym anyway so I think I should be ok now!

Gaz

If you where able to put in 5 hours a week you would see impressive results.

As said above, find an exercise you enjoy. Work hard at it. Improve your diet ... thats all there is to it. Read the stickies for great info on diet and finding out your calorie requirments. If you can burn off 250 in the gym and eat 250 less, thats 3500cal or 1lb of fat a week. Aim to lose no more than 2lb a week or you risk losing muscle.

Also think about adding some resistance training to your program, free weights are best.

Good luck