Gym Beginner

SwordsSlimmer

Hey All....Appreciate any help and advice you have to offer please. I am a Slimming World member and have lost 2 stone so far on the plan and have just joined the local FlyFit gym in a hope to aid the weight loss.

My main focus at the moment is the weight on the scales, not tonning. Because of that I think I should avoid weights and stick to cardio. Would I be correct? I dont want to do anything in gym that is going to increase my weight on scales if you get me :-)

My stats are:

36 yrs old
18 stone
5 foot 7 Inches

I plan on attending gym 3 to 4 times per week but have no idea regarding program to follow for the cardio. Would anyone be able to recommend a plan for me please???? I would really appreciate it!

Cheers

intheclouds

Cardio is dead easy, pick an exercise you like, do it for 20 minutes, and each session increase the difficulty on the machine (so make it faster on the treadmill, more resistance on the rower etc). Over time increase the time.

For me, swimming is the toughest all over cardio, I feel it everywhere! Running is the most difficult for me in the moment although I recover quickly. Rowing is good too. I love the summit climber but it's hard! I never use the cross trainer, too easy. I'm not fond of the bikes, either sit up or recumbent so I never use them.

If you're losing weight then you should add some basic core work to your cardio too. Plank, bridge, side plank, some work with the medicine ball.

For your age and weight you need to consider not injuring your joints so stick with things like swimming, bike etc at first.

GalwayGrrrrrl

It's actually very hard to gain weight by lifting weights- body builders eat lots of protein and lift very heavy weights. Doing some basic weight lifting will give you a nice toned look and help your clothes for nicely so don't shy away from the weights area. Your gym should be able to write and demonstrate a program for you.
As for cardio, choose your favourite machine and do 30 mins, choose another machine and do another 15 mins. Don't eat back all the calories the machine says you have burnt (they usually over estimate). My favourite is the cross trainer - simulates running but is low impact.

Cake Man

SwordsSlimmer wrote: »

Hey All....Appreciate any help and advice you have to offer please. I am a Slimming World member and have lost 2 stone so far on the plan and have just joined the local FlyFit gym in a hope to aid the weight loss.

My main focus at the moment is the weight on the scales, not tonning. Because of that I think I should avoid weights and stick to cardio. Would I be correct? I dont want to do anything in gym that is going to increase my weight on scales if you get me :-)

My stats are:

36 yrs old
18 stone
5 foot 7 Inches

I plan on attending gym 3 to 4 times per week but have no idea regarding program to follow for the cardio. Would anyone be able to recommend a plan for me please???? I would really appreciate it!

Cheers

Whaaa? Doing weights doesn't increase your weight, eating/drinking excess calories = increasing weight. Personally, would highly recommend doing weights over cardio OP. Cardio is good in that it can burn 300/400/500 cals (or whatever) in a session, whereas a weight lifting session may only burn 200-300 in a session. However, it's been scientifically shown that after cardio, that's kind of it in terms of burning calories but after weight lifting the body continues to burn calories at a high level for up to a few days after you did that session. So in the long run, lifting weights actually burns more calories.
There was a good video going around on Facebook recently basically showing this.

Zillah

You will gain or lose weight depending on how much you eat, not what type of exercise you do. All exercise burns calories, but not really all that much. Doing weights will help you look better by developing some muscle, and you'll burn more calories by just being alive the more muscle you have.

Stop focussing on the number on the scales and think more about being strong and healthy.

Do weights to be strong and look good.
Do cardio for cardiovascular health.

Don't exercise because you think it is the reverse of eating.