No idea what I'm doing.

kmt1992
kmt1992 Posts: 5
in Fitness and Exercise
So basically I don't know how to work out. I've googled everything I can think of but I'm still not finding anything I've been able to make use of. I recently got a 6 month gym membership and I've been going for about 3 weeks. Personally I HATE working out in front of other people but I thought going to a gym would motivate me.. thats still questionable. Lol. Before I got the membership I did a Jillian Michaels workout video a few times and I could definitely feel the burn with that. I was sore for days.

My concern is that I have no idea what I should be doing in the gym. I usually do 20-30 minutes of cardio.. then I try to focus on arms one day and legs the next using whatever machines I feel like I can do correctly. I don't feel sore ever which kinda makes me think I'm doing something wrong. I havent lost any weight. I know I haven't been at it very long and it takes time but I feel like I should have some sort of routine by now. I did do some ab workouts with a kettlebell that a friend showed me and I'm feeling that lol so i think I"m going to be implementing that in regularly. If anyone has any suggestions or knows where I could find some routines for beginners with explanations I'd greatly appreciate it!

I'm 5'7 170 lbs. I want to lose about 30 lbs. I have drastically cleaned up my diet and going strong for about a month. Basically whole foods, tons of water, nothing processed no added sugar. I haven't lost any weight with that either but I do feel better.


Also I just ordered Plexus Slim because I've seen people gets some good results with it. I don't plan on relying only on that for weight loss but I'm hoping it will give me a little boost. Does anyone have any experience with Plexus?

Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    90% of your weight loss will come from your diet so if you've lost nothing you'll want to make sure that you're weighing and measuring all your food so you know that you are staying in budget.

    With a gym membership you should be able to find staff members that can show you how to use the machines properly and set you up with a starter routine. Your gym should have done that when you first joined. You could also check if they have any classes that you can go to.
  • sdumma
    sdumma Posts: 126 Member
    Good job for the start. it takes willpower just to begin so high five.
    I haven't checked your food log so I canot tell you why your not loosing weight as far as that department goes...
    but for your workouts...I'd say either increase your reps or your weights, not both though..and just gradually.
    I do 3 sets of 15 with a weight that has me feeling like I really need to push through those last 3.
    If you don't like the gym, maybe try something outdoors. Try a hike on a nice day, maybe invest in a bike. There are infinite ways to get excercise!!
    If Jillian has scared you away from her videos due to how sore you are afterwards...don't worry....you've only just begun and it WILL get easier but should never BE easy. Try taking a break during the video, a min here or there or decrease the amounts of reps you do with her to what you are able to tolorate until you build yourself up to it.
    your on the right track and you CAN do it xoxo good luck :flowerforyou:
  • bunnies26
    bunnies26 Posts: 149 Member
    There are also really good apps. Take the classes at the gym to max your calorie burn
  • kmt1992
    kmt1992 Posts: 5
    Yea I'm going to start tracking all of my calories. I've been just eyeballing and trying to eat smaller portions but thats obviously not getting me anywhere. You'd think cutting out fast food and soda and junk food I would have lost something by now..

    The gym I go to is 24 hours. I go late because I work late. When I first signed up I asked about help with a routine and they told me I could make an appointment with a personal trainer but that's way expensive.
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    Look up StrongLifts or New Rules of Lifting for Women. (I'm assuming you are a woman? lol) Also search some free weights exercises on youtube and get comfortable with those. I suggest looking up deadlifts, barbell squats, bent over barbell rows and the clean and press. Focus on the free weights, they will deliver better results than those machines.
  • bunnies26
    bunnies26 Posts: 149 Member
    Instead of resting between sets you could try working opposing muscle groups and moving quickly between the two. It really works a sweat.
  • sdumma
    sdumma Posts: 126 Member
    there are many tutorials on youtube you could check out! And many people make the mistake of underestimating what they eat. Try tossing everything into a measuring cup first to give you a better idea of portion sizes
  • jillianbeeee
    jillianbeeee Posts: 345 Member
    I didn't like working out in front of people when I started either. I used Jillian Michaels and still do! I bought a used treadmill at the thrift shop ($100) and started with that now I am running, outside and loving it! I used to have a gym membership but found I actually worked out less because getting to the gym was half the battle! lol. However I did learn to use the equipment by asking. the people at the gym, sometimes just other people working out, are more then happy to show you how to use the equipment. The gyms I have been to have the equipment set up in a way that if you start at one and work your way around the room you can get a pretty good workout. Especially, if you start or end with cardio (treadmill, elliptical etc) Dont forget the free weights! There are apps you can download that will bring you through arm day or leg day at the gym. I actually printed out one from a free website and brought it with me! And finally, take the classes offered! Its a great way to learn the basics of a good workout and soon you will find you can do many of those exercises on your own. Good luck!
  • kmt1992
    kmt1992 Posts: 5
    Thank you! I liked working out with Jillian, I just wasn't consistent. I've been going to the gym consistently I think because I paid for it lol Also as far as increasing reps and stuff like that I don't even know what i should be doing to begin with. I just kind of hop from one machine to the next and only stick with the few i know how to use. I need to branch out I just don't know what I should be doing. I havent logged any food or anything yet. Just starting here.

    I can't really take the classes at the gym because of the hours I work.
  • kmt1992
    kmt1992 Posts: 5
    there are many tutorials on youtube you could check out! And many people make the mistake of underestimating what they eat. Try tossing everything into a measuring cup first to give you a better idea of portion sizes


    I think this may be my biggest problem. Im eating only healthy foods but I haven't been counting calories or anything so I'm probably eating way to much. I eat 3 meals a day most days and I just hate feeling hungry. I hate being overweight more though.
  • kmt1992
    kmt1992 Posts: 5
    Look up StrongLifts or New Rules of Lifting for Women. (I'm assuming you are a woman? lol) Also search some free weights exercises on youtube and get comfortable with those. I suggest looking up deadlifts, barbell squats, bent over barbell rows and the clean and press. Focus on the free weights, they will deliver better results than those machines.

    Yep Im a woman lol. You're not the first to tell me that about free weights. I will check those sites out. thank you!
  • jillianbeeee
    jillianbeeee Posts: 345 Member
    start with two reps of 10-12. :)
  • SamanthaH10
    SamanthaH10 Posts: 72 Member
    Bodybuilding.com has AMAZING tutorials on almost any exercise you can think of. They also have a mobile app with the videos and instructions that you can download.

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