My first time gym adventures

True Romance

So thought I'd start a thread on my experience of going to a gym for the first time.

The plan is to shed some weight and get fit. Being 47 and 20kg over weight suspect it's going to hard going but determined to try and stick with it. Have being cutting down on crap food like crisps, chocolate, etc which with walking the dog I managed to lose a stone. However been stuck at around 100kg for a number of weeks now and with a new gym opening on my way to work thought now would be an ideal time to give gym membership a go.

As I'll be attending the gym on my own I decided to go for the classes rather than workout alone. Figured being in a large class there would be less chance of me quitting early and would be pushed along by the instructor.

True Romance

Monday was my very first day and wasn't sure what to expect even after watching countless YouTube videos. First thing that made things a little easier was the mix of people in the class. A good spread from young to older with fit and new starters like me. Felt more comfortable with this wide group of age and ability. The class was a JD (gyms) burn designed to burn 500 to 1000 calories. Did six different excersices working most parts of the body. Not going to lie it was hard going and by the end I was shot but happy to have got through the 35min class in one peice.

Next day I woke up a felt like I'd had a good kicking. Just shows how I hardly use many muscles being stuck behind a desk most of the day. Even struggled to put my socks on! Not sure I'd be able to make the next class.

True Romance

Second class today. Woke up feeling much better than when I went to bed. So went back for more punishment. New instructor this time with new excersices. Boy that was hard work. Really struggled with some of them. Couldn't move my legs, they'd gone to jelly. Got through the whole class again though which I'm pleased with. Even the super fit guys where waining towards the end. Now aching all over again but guess no pain no gain?

Next session on Friday.

booyaka

Excellent - keeping a log is a good idea - motivates and focuses you to keep going and improving.

Cardio stuff is a good start and don't forget that you can't out train a bad diet. Sort you diet out and you'll do well. Clean eating, lots of water, cut out sugar and alcohol as much as you can.

Try counting calories in versus out. Loads of apps, consider a fitbit/watch or something to track steps etc. Anything to motivate you.

Good luck.

shodan

Well Done mate!!!
Keeping a blog here is a great way to keep track of what you do and how you can see your improvements and a great way to hold yourself accountable.
You've had a great start, just keep on keeping on. In some ways it isn't even the exercises we do but the intensity we put in it that really matters.

I do envy you, you are at the start of a great journey and you know where you are and where you want to be and the rest is just how you get there. Exciting times!
Feels like a good time to wheel out one of my favourite quotes, which I remind myself of whenever I start losing motivation...

Why choose failure, when success is so an option..

True Romance

Thanks for the motivation guys . When/if I get over the muscle ache I'm sure I'll start to really get into it and start to increase the work out intensity.

True Romance

Disaster! Just woke up to snow so will need to take the Mrs into work this morning so will now miss my burn class. Gutted as I am feeling much better with most of the aches and pains gone. Booked back in for Monday.

sim12

Another thing to keep in mind is that you won't always want to go to the gym and exercise, sometimes the thought can be worse than the act itself, this is when you have keep your toe in the water so to speak, even if you go to a class or hit the weights in the gym and just go through the motions and have an easy workout it's better than nothing at all and keeps your body ready and maintained for when you want to hit it hard to make the gains.

shodan

For when you can't get to the gym, body weight training at home. You only need enough space to lay down on the floor..

Scale for difficulty or ease..

Press ups
Sit ups
Burpees
Lunges on the spot alternating legs forward and back.

You can do these for time like 30s each then 60s rest of pick a number like 10 of each and 60s.  See how many rounds you can do...

Ned Senior

Sounds better for me aswell