The Ramblings of a Complete Amateur

[randomshenans]

I am in and out of here, well, sports section. Motivation, a little "progress" from me, or trying to soak up some of the knowledge that is in here, which is a lot.

A little about moi, in the style of a gay blind date show;

Hi, I'm Ross, I'm 27 and I'm from England. I'm 5'10 and fairly stocky framed. *slow hand clap*

I moved to Basel itself 18 months ago, and lived on my own here for 6 months. I've yo yo'd in weight a lot of my life, and at uni hit probably my biggest 17/8st which I lost a lot of when I decided to drive in to a house and be in a bed for 4 months.
When I moved to Basel I put on a shedload. I love cooking and was so bored, so used my time to cook, which meant that I cooked a lot, for a family of 50, and ate it. Myself.

Mrs came and joined me out here after 6 months with the 2 boys and running about with the kids, or not being able to, highlighted just how bad I'd let it get. I couldn't do it!

Took the plunge and weighed myself and was at 16st2.

So in the summer last year I started trying to shift it. Just cutting down portions was a massive one for me. Not eating for 4 people soon cuts out a lot. That and just what I'm eating and getting out on the bike.

By the time it came to winter '12 I was hovering about 14st5 or something.

December is never great with the holidays and I wanted to enjoy it, so I let myself. For us (The Mrs is on a get fit, healthy life choice too) it's not a "diet" it's eating better, changing the way you think, so when it came to March (long winter ) and I started again, I was at 14st2. I was pleased with that.

Now I joined a few of the ladies round here (I'm a proper lady, me) with the Mrs in a 10 week "challenge" to spur each other on and that, as one of the mum's has so far lost like 50lbs too, but it's like 25% of her goal. Mine felt tiny and so small compared!
We're on week 9 of 10 now and I'm down from 14st2 to 13st3. More importantly, my measurements at week 0 were:
Then Now
Legs - 59cm 57

Arms - 31cm 30

Chest - 108 105

Waist - 99 95

I say now, but that was a couple of weeks ago, I need to measure in.

Waist is obviously good, I'm losing fat but I need to start to build my chest and tiny arms. Those arms are unflexed, is this the best measurement?

Now, I have no idea where to start with weight lifting, but I want to get definition on my upper body, bigger chest and arms. bla bla bla

No idea what to do, terms for things, I'm an amateur!

What I have at home are a bench, and I think it's like 150kg of weights, with barbell and dumbell bar.

I'll get up some progress shots too, just running to a meeting. I'd love some advice on diet. All I know is lean protein is good. as well as help with lifting. What should I start with? exercises and weights?
How do you know it's a good starting weight to lift? (stupid questions, I know, told you, amateur!)

Appreciate you taking the time to read that rubbish. Pics when I'm home and out this meeting.

Ross

 

[LiE]

Good job on shifting the weight!

So first things, 150kg is a decent chunk of weight, but a bench press is quite limiting. Ideally you would need a rack so you can do some leg exercises and also the safety of the catchers.

While you are losing weight, there's no reason why you shouldn't be doing weights. However, it will be very hard to put on any muscle while you're in a calorie deficit.

I would give the stickies a read (in the OP of the gym rats thread) to give you an idea of exercises and how to design a diet.

 

[randomshenans]

Thanks, LiE! I'll defo have a good read through those. I wanted to get a cage, but where I have the weights in the basement, the ceiling height is too low for a cage in there. Which makes it hard as the house has no room for a cage in the lounge etc. Can you get ones lower, for low ceilings at all?

As for some idea, visuals, we all like visuals



That's '12 summer to winter start. 16st2 to 14st5

Due to riding a fair bit, legs are pretty lean. Leanest part of my body anyway!


A couple of weeks ago, not a proper shot, but I will get some tonight.


In terms of what I have found I can do, with the limited bench and my lack of knowledge, is I can bench 65kgs in 5x5. That's about the sum of me knowing what I'm doing

 

[LiE]

Do you have room for something like this (I'm sure one can be found cheaper)

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk...lid_multi_press_rack_package_grey/7443_p.html

 

[randomshenans]

I will measure the ceiling height tonight and see what sort of room I have to play with. I think something like that could work.

Thinking about it, I've got a lot of engineers round here that work on planes and the like. I might see if they can knock me one up that will fit and do all I need. *strokes chin*

 

[LiE]

If you could get something like that you'll be set. Look into a way of getting something to do pull ups / chins on too.

 

[BigPecsPeter]

Overweight beginners can and do gain muscle in a deficit. It's one of the few exceptions, along with previously muscly folk returning from a layoff.