Taken an interest in getting fit - 2 questions :)

Lord TSC

Hey lads and lasses,

Basically, since I'm about to hit 30, I decided it was time to actually do something about my weight. Yeah, I was one of those "New Year Resolution" people :P

After Xmas, I started walking (currently doing 2.5km in 25-30 minutes, 3 times a week; thats up from 1km I was doing in the same time when I started). I also started cutting back food BIG TIME; I was about 97kg at Xmas. I dropped soft drinks completely, and although I didn't actively start calories counting until this week, I became aware enough to focus on making sure I was at a deficit. As a result, I've dropped to 91kg now (already feeling my clothes are looser :P). And, if I'm honest with myself, there's plenty of room to cut more in terms of what I'm eating, and plenty of room to do a bit more exercise.

So here's my two questions...

1. I'm starting to read up on things, and I've noticed a lot of fitness stuff encourages Protein consumption. But is this something I need to worry about at the stage I'm at, where the primary goal is just cutting weight (as opposed to bulking up)? Looking online and at what I'm eating, it strikes me I'm not getting a massive amount of protein; I already eat loads of eggs and meats, etc (I love cooking, most dinners are home cooked with fresh ingredients), but looking at recommended amounts, I fall short. For the moment, is that something I can ignore while I just focus on eating at a calory deficit?

2. Weights....I'll be honest, I'm both poor and low on self-confidence so the idea of even going near a gym for the moment is one I'd rather not consider. I 100% realise that, down the road, it will be something I need to do if I want to keep things progressing. But for now, I'd rather not. Still, my brother actually has a set a decent set of starter dumbells, so I figured I could start utilizing them. So second question is, can anyone recommend readings on programs for dumbells? A lot of what I see online seems to be for full bar weigths, more intrinsic weight sets, etc. Has anyone recommendations for starter weights programs?

Thanks in advance

Mr. CooL ICE

1) Protein isn't going to make you bulk up. Of the macronutrients, it is important for your body to repair tissue.

One of the main reasons protein is recommended for weight loss is because doing things like basing meals around a protein source is a great way of consuming less calories whilst increasing satiety, i.e. you are less likely to go hungry and snack on rubbish afterwards.

2) Weights are a great way of losing weight. But if they don't interest you, don't do them. There are pros and cons to all forms of exercise when it comes to weight loss but best exercise for losing weight is often the one you find fun and are more likely to keep up.

If you want to get into weights, the best thing I can recommend if you are clueless is to find a decent personal trainer to get started. Yes, it costs a lot of money but think of it as an investment in your health. Give your location and somebody here can provide recommendations.

As for the confidence of going into the gym; everybody had to start somewhere. Don't feel intimidated. I was at the opposite end of the spectrum when I first joined a gym (skinny ex-long distance runner) and my first day, I did very little. I walked around machines looking at the diagrams and felt I was getting in peoples way.