Starting from scratch

Dave!

Hey guys,

Please forgive the noob post, I'm sure there are lots of similar ones, particularly around this time of year

As I imagine will be the case with lots of people, I'm going to eat and drink myself to death over Xmas, and then in January I want to start getting into shape.

I'm 26, 5ft 10ins, and weigh ~73.5kg. I've never been particularly athletic, but used to lift weights when I was a teenager, and have kinda retained a decent bit of muscle from those days. It just so happens that I have a good bit of fat concealing it I feel that if I get back to a good diet and a proper training regime then I can be in good shape.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is what would be the best way to do it properly? I was a member of a gym before and attended quite regularly for ~9 months, and I saw no real benefit tbh. Of course this is because I didn't know what I was doing, and probably didn't put enough effort into it or take it seriously. Nor did I stick to a very good diet (though it was better than it is currently).

I'm thinking I don't really have the discipline or knowledge to do it on my own. I think maybe a personal trainer (attached to some gym) would be a good shout. Would ye generally find them worthwhile?

I find the prospect of starting from scratch quite intimidating really, particularly because my general fitness is absolutely atrocious. I haven't done so much as a stretch for about 6 months, and prior to that did very little anyway!

Thanks for any thoughts

harvester of sorrow

Stumbled across this last night....might help.
http://www.weightrainer.net/training/rules.html

cmyk

Dave! wrote: »

As I imagine will be the case with lots of people, I'm going to eat and drink myself to death over Xmas, and then in January I want to start getting into shape.

Dave! wrote: »

I feel that if I get back to a good diet and a proper training regime then I can be in good shape.

That sounds like the start of a plan.

Dave! wrote: »

Of course this is because I didn't know what I was doing, and probably didn't put enough effort into it or take it seriously. Nor did I stick to a very good diet (though it was better than it is currently).

You've probably answered your own questions here.

Dave! wrote: »

I'm thinking I don't really have the discipline or knowledge to do it on my own. I think maybe a personal trainer (attached to some gym) would be a good shout. Would ye generally find them worthwhile?

A few sessions with a PT or coach would probably be a good investment. It'll give you a good basic technique you can progress with along with an idea of the intensity you ought to be working at.

Dave! wrote: »

I find the prospect of starting from scratch quite intimidating really, particularly because my general fitness is absolutely atrocious. I haven't done so much as a stretch for about 6 months, and prior to that did very little anyway!

There should be no need to be intimidated, everyone started somewhere and at your height and weight it won't take too much to get into shape.

Some resistance training of some form should form your base, pick the one you'll have the most affinity with, bodyweight, gymnastics, bodybuilding, crossfit, circuit training, powerlifting etc. there's a flavour for anyone at the moment and find a decent facility/trainer within that.

From there get your nutrition sorted, plenty on the that in the diet and nutrition stickies, but lean meats, fish, eggs, plenty of fruits and veg, dairy, nuts etc. should be staples while getting your portions under control and limiting alcohol and processed food.

Best of luck...no need to wait until the new year to implement some of that either, you can still enjoy life without eating and drinking yourself to death...even if it's Christmas.

DublinWorkout

Well, good luck in 2014