Just wanted to say hello and add that I am very much a beginner and in dire need of guidance. I just joined a gym, and get a few personal training sessions for free for joining, but I'm going to need to probe this community for advice. I signed on for 18 months, so I guess I have to be dedicated and get to pumping iron and burning fat, I'd rather burn that than my money.
I'm a 25 year old male, 6' tall, 240 lb and I am first to admit, most of that mass is definitely not lean!
I have a particular lifestyle, I work in doing heating and air conditioning as a service technician. So basically, I have a mix of being a long haul trucker and a construction worker. It confuses my body, and more importantly my mind in relation to fitness. I never know what to answer when putting in calorie counters because some days I lean more towards sedentary, other days I'm very active.
My goal is like most peoples' in America, shed most of my fat and put on some muscle. I cannot afford to lose strength, as I need my muscles to lift pretty heavy things sometimes for work.
I'll be asking things specifically in their respective sub-forums, but there are some things I really need to ask right away:
1) I have to work out early in the mornings, no exceptions. I understand this is not ideal, but my girlfriend and I are on a tight budget and can only afford one car, so I need to use the car in the mornings to go to the gym. That being said; What should I eat super early in the morning? I've heard you should wait an hour before eating after waking up to maximize effects of weight loss, but I'm already going into work an hour later, and waking up an hour earlier to work this into my day. Now, what's good to eat before cardio days? A ratio of carbs
rotein (this is tricky, about half of the research i've done comes up with "4:1 ratio of protein:carbs" the other half is completely the opposite, "4:1 ratio of carbsrotein"). Would something like either, oatmeal and some dried fruit, or 1/2 a grapefruit and a slice of toast be an appropriate snack about 30 minutes before actually starting a cardio session?
2) Same question as 1) but for strength training. What to eat in what ratios of carbrotein, for a very early morning lift.
3) Being a very big fella, I need to shed the fat, but I'm not really in a huge hurry. I've found the research I've done on body recomposition to be more geared towards serious bodybuilders. However, as I said above, I can not afford to loose strength, so I'd like to shed the weight all the while at the very least, maintaining the muscle I've already got (and I'm not a little girly man by any means). What is some advice to achieve this?
4) I bought some of this What are your guys' thoughts? The fella at GNC was telling me that you can metabolize more of this protein than the cheaper stuff, so even though it's more expensive, you're actually getting more out of each scoop. I am on a budget, so if anyone knows of any other fairly clean whey that's any better in price, please please let me know. Also, is it appropriate to take a protein shake after strength AND cardio? Or do I want more carbs than protein after cardio?
5) Diet, diet, diet. Okay, I get it, and I've already started monitoring calories with an app, My Fitness Pal. So, I came across this:
I got really frustrated that my recommended fat for the day was borderline unhealthy, and damn near impossible with eating actual, real food.. men also need fat in their diet for testosterone production, and it seems like an uphill battle to try to cut fat, thus cut testosterone, thus making a guy lethargic.
6) A good beginner's weight training and cardio plan.
I know that's a lot, but I really need the help, and I still have a hell of a lot more questions to ask. Thank you very much in advance, I look forward to connecting with all you ladies and gents.
I'm a 25 year old male, 6' tall, 240 lb and I am first to admit, most of that mass is definitely not lean!
I have a particular lifestyle, I work in doing heating and air conditioning as a service technician. So basically, I have a mix of being a long haul trucker and a construction worker. It confuses my body, and more importantly my mind in relation to fitness. I never know what to answer when putting in calorie counters because some days I lean more towards sedentary, other days I'm very active.
My goal is like most peoples' in America, shed most of my fat and put on some muscle. I cannot afford to lose strength, as I need my muscles to lift pretty heavy things sometimes for work.
I'll be asking things specifically in their respective sub-forums, but there are some things I really need to ask right away:
1) I have to work out early in the mornings, no exceptions. I understand this is not ideal, but my girlfriend and I are on a tight budget and can only afford one car, so I need to use the car in the mornings to go to the gym. That being said; What should I eat super early in the morning? I've heard you should wait an hour before eating after waking up to maximize effects of weight loss, but I'm already going into work an hour later, and waking up an hour earlier to work this into my day. Now, what's good to eat before cardio days? A ratio of carbs
rotein (this is tricky, about half of the research i've done comes up with "4:1 ratio of protein:carbs" the other half is completely the opposite, "4:1 ratio of carbsrotein"). Would something like either, oatmeal and some dried fruit, or 1/2 a grapefruit and a slice of toast be an appropriate snack about 30 minutes before actually starting a cardio session?2) Same question as 1) but for strength training. What to eat in what ratios of carb
rotein, for a very early morning lift.3) Being a very big fella, I need to shed the fat, but I'm not really in a huge hurry. I've found the research I've done on body recomposition to be more geared towards serious bodybuilders. However, as I said above, I can not afford to loose strength, so I'd like to shed the weight all the while at the very least, maintaining the muscle I've already got (and I'm not a little girly man by any means). What is some advice to achieve this?
4) I bought some of this What are your guys' thoughts? The fella at GNC was telling me that you can metabolize more of this protein than the cheaper stuff, so even though it's more expensive, you're actually getting more out of each scoop. I am on a budget, so if anyone knows of any other fairly clean whey that's any better in price, please please let me know. Also, is it appropriate to take a protein shake after strength AND cardio? Or do I want more carbs than protein after cardio?
5) Diet, diet, diet. Okay, I get it, and I've already started monitoring calories with an app, My Fitness Pal. So, I came across this:
I got really frustrated that my recommended fat for the day was borderline unhealthy, and damn near impossible with eating actual, real food.. men also need fat in their diet for testosterone production, and it seems like an uphill battle to try to cut fat, thus cut testosterone, thus making a guy lethargic.
6) A good beginner's weight training and cardio plan.
I know that's a lot, but I really need the help, and I still have a hell of a lot more questions to ask. Thank you very much in advance, I look forward to connecting with all you ladies and gents.