How long did it take for you to start noticing a difference?

deadybai

How long did it take for you to actually start noticing a difference in your physique?

The last time I was in a gym I was working out 3 times a week doing light cardio and lifting weights each time I went. It took about 6 months before I started to notice me putting on muscle and losing belly fat. Even then it was only a small enough difference.

Unfortunately I had to leave the gym not long after the 6 months I did and now im back to the same I looked before. I am starting up in the new year and would like to see some better improvements as its good motivation.

I know there is no same time frame for everyone but just let me know your story whatever it is so I can get an idea.

seamus

3 times a week is the bare minimum amount of work really, so it will take a long time to notice any visible differences.

You should have noticed other measurable differences though - the cardio was less stressful and you were able to do more reps with heavier weights.

Did you do anything with your diet? If you want visible differences, focus on diet. If you want strength and fitness differences, focus on cardio and weights.

If you want to look good and be fitter and stronger, then do all three.

Alf Veedersane

Take photos and/or tape measurements.

Sometimes you're the last to notice otherwise.

runawaybishop

seamus wrote: »

3 times a week is the bare minimum amount of work really, so it will take a long time to notice any visible differences.

You should have noticed other measurable differences though - the cardio was less stressful and you were able to do more reps with heavier weights.

Did you do anything with your diet? If you want visible differences, focus on diet. If you want strength and fitness differences, focus on cardio and weights.

If you want to look good and be fitter and stronger, then do all three.

3 times is not the bare minimum, you can make perfectly fine progress twice a week.

OP: about 2 months should see you noticing a difference, maybe 6 weeks. Make sure your diet is right or you are wasting your time.

Nunu

I'm only 4 weeks in to "looking after myself".
I haven't really got into the fitness end of things yet. A lot of walking is all so far, but for the full 4 weeks I have been eating healthily and I have noticed a difference in my physique.
My belly is definitely going. I've lost 7 lbs & an inch off my waist.

I wasn't that out of shape but could start to see and feel myself heading in the wrong direction. Delighted with my progress so far.

So, I'd agree that diet is so important. Get that right first and I'd say you're in to a winner.

Zombienosh

It's hard to notice differences if you're not taking progress pics etc...

Hanley

4 weeks for you... 8 weeks for friends and family... and 12 weeks for the rest your world to notice.

Your best indicator is how your pants fit, and progress photos.

GunnerBlue

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Take photos and/or tape measurements.

Sometimes you're the last to notice otherwise.

Agreed. It can be hard to notice gradual changes but measurements and photos will show that you're definitely making progress.

ShadowHearth

That's actually a very good question.

For last half year I just on pure weigh loss train. I would always look at the mirror and never notice difference. It's like i always was like this.
The best way to actually see difference is by putting on your old cloths. My size 42 pants became just impossible to wear. I got in to size 36 at one point, but would put on my old 42 to see how much I came since then. Now I got to size 32 and size 36 are just way too big too. In the mirror I just don't see or feel any difference, but my pants tell me all the difference!
So I guess, as mentioned above already, you better off just take measurements if you want to know difference. When you see yourself in the mirror every day, you can't really feel the difference.

CM24

I saw barely any gains during my first year in the gym. I went 4 or 5 times a week and did a load of ''bro stuff'' ie. loads of chest and bicep isolation exercises, lots of abs and cardio. I would get a pump in the mirror temporarily but that was about it.

When I began the Starting Strength program I saw drastic differences within a few weeks. I know that program gets lots of love from some people and lots of hate from others. It worked wonders for me.

In retrospect, the reason it worked so well was the focus on progressive overload. Generally, if you haven't made a big difference to your lifts you're not going to have made a big difference to your physique. You don't need to do cardio if you're only trying to look better.

I added a solid 20-100kg on each of my lifts during that program and my body composition totally changed. More muscle, less fat. Noob gains are the best.

sheesh

about 3-4 weeks ago I started in the gym face seemed slimmer but gut remained. the gut has started going down a small bit admittedly going for a hour most days pretty (read very) fat to begin with too though.

Last time I did this I only stuck it out for 2 weeks but lost 3 lbs each week according to the trainer.

EmcD123

At the end leaving cert I was tiny, had lost around 8kg ,was down to 55kg give or take 1 or 2 from 65kg.
By the end of july and around half way through august i was back at 60kg and was really looking much more athletic again and think the specific types of training i was doing was really paying off in every way . havent really managed to keep it though,slcked off a bit with exams coming up and the constant colds

dynamited

Depends



If i'm Bulking i respond to carbs very fast and most of the glycogen,muscle and water gets added to my arms, chest and shoulders so i'f im on a carb heavy diet probably about two weeks , my surplus is never over 300cals per day



When cutting i notice it just as fast but i tend to become depleted very quickly so look like i lost a little muscle aswell



Ah the joys of staying Drug free