Horatio's health kick thread.

[Horatio Moustache]

(This is more just for me than anything else, sorry if it clutters things but you might find it an interesting read or people may be able to give me some sort of tips.)

After a good few years of never going to the gym this section of the SMB has re-ignited my interest in getting a sweat on and looking after myself a bit better. This is now my second week of going to the gym.

Generally I try to eat well - the biggest problem is nights out and too much alcohol. My diet is largely that of a pescetarian - I rarely buy meat to have in the house and never drink milk, so we're talking plenty fruits and vegetables although I do eat a rather restricted diet. I'm around 6 foot 2 and probably weigh about 12.5 stone - I'm quite skinny but got quite a bit of flab around the mid-drift and arse. The aim is to get a little less flabby and more defined.

First day of going back to the gym was extremely difficult. I struggle with cardio exercises because of a chest abnormality that means I have a significantly lower lung capacity than the average person, which is extremely frustrating when struggling on the rowing machine. First week I managed about 11.5 miles overall rowing which, although not a lot to other standards, is a lot for me so I was chuffed.

First session of the week this week and I can already feel my body getting stronger - I've managed to knock off about thirty seconds to get to 6000 metres and my muscles are dealing with the weights a little better (although I'm only lifting very, very small amounts.

So far so good. It's not even small steps for me (more tiny shuffles), but it's nice to be going in the right direction so far.

[Hauser's-Helmet]

Welcome to fat clerb.

[Horatio Moustache]

My cardio is definitey getting better. Been to the gym every day this week but won't get back there now until Saturday night. Going out on Friday so hopefully it doesn't ruin my progress. Think I've started to slim a little too after probably doing too much at the gym. Did two sets of 100lb on the leg extension thing which for me is mental! Also started basic HIIT on seated row and other things I can't remember the name of. Need to start having more protein.

[RyAye]

dont just do cardio, do weight lifting if u want any kind of definition, unless you want a well defined rib cage.

cardio sucks, dull as fuck, unless your playing a sport or out on ya bike or summit. :)

[Horatio Moustache]

Originally Posted by RyAye

dont just do cardio, do weight lifting if u want any kind of definition, unless you want a well defined rib cage.

cardio sucks, dull as fuck, unless your playing a sport or out on ya bike or summit. :)

My ribcage is fucked so no chance of that.

I actually really enjoy the cardio but you are right, I need to look more at the weights.

[Horatio Moustache]

Felt like absolute shite today. Really lethargic and aching all over. Put it down as overdoing it. In turn I've ate a Chinese takeaway and done zero exercise today. Also had four slices of brown bread. Need to make up for it tomorrow.

[Titus]

Is there something wrong with brown bread?

[Horatio Moustache]

I wasn't sure like, but if not I'm happy.

Been getting better and better at the gym, with people even commenting that I have lost weight (which probably isn't a good thing given my size, but I was buzzing about it). On the rowing machine I seem to hit 'the wall' much earlier than what I used to, but I can now last a lot longer too.

Nowt like drink to ruin a decent diet though. It was my leaving do at work on Saturday night and I got absolutely destroyed on lots of lager . Including waking up on the Sunday morning to find I disgraced myself . Going to the gym in a bit to sort myself out, but an old friend is in town tomorrow and I haven't seen him in a while. We're meeting in the pub...

Swings and roundabouts I suppose. Going to start taking protein shakes to increase my protein intake - which at the minute is pretty non-existent.

[Horatio Moustache]

Well me and my mate got royally pissed together. That was pretty much the pattern of all of last week, as well as a load of shit food. Felt really annoyed at myself and hoped it wasn't going to put me back too much.

Been to the gym every day this week, and surprised at how I've still continued to improve. 8km on the rowing machine now (4km when I go in, 4km before I leave) at around 37 minutes overall which is a big improvement for me. Starting to see a little definition on my arms but slight love handles still.

Started to include protein shakes in my diet now - have one at breakfast and before bed with some berries, Greek yoghurt and soya milk.

Weighed myself the other day and it says I'm just over 11 stone. Either I was much skinnier than I thought originally, or the scales are broke. Or both.

[AlpineExile]

Originally Posted by Titus

Is there something wrong with brown bread?

I'd like to know the answer to that as well.

More protein, more fibre, more vitamins and more [micro-]nutrients in general than white bread.