Other than Cardio

Google "You are your Own Gym" Lots of great body weight exercises, and a routine you can follow.

This app(journaling) is how I keep it off. If I blew it by noon, my dinner is pretty spartan. The Iron Guru Vince Gironda stated, "body sculpting is 80% diet...if you don't have your diet down first, the rest is moot." Vince was WAY ahead of his time.

Remember we all have a "six-pack" of abs muscles. I just chose to cover them with fat most of my life.

You can hire a personal trainer(they will look like a weightlifter) for 2-3 workouts to show you how to do each lift the right way. Then pay them again in six months to check your form. The right trainer played HS and college sports, so they have some time in the gym. I've been lifting for 48 years. My dad, uncles and cousins all still lift wights 3-6 days a week. A good trainer was an athlete. You can even take weight training for one semester at the local college.

There are tons of Web sites and Youtube videos to help you with beginners workouts. Pick two and follow them. Do not be overwhelmed by the bodybuilding.com type sites. They are "professional" competitors. They have to take drugs to succeed.

"Less is More" Work your muscles largest to smallest (Legs/Glutes, Lats, Pecs, Deltoids, Triceps, Biceps,). One lift per muscle! Stretch at the end of each workout. Do your cardio on the off days(cool down with Core).

Workout every 3rd day(Monday/Thursday, etc). Warm up with a fast 10 minute walk. For three weeks(until soreness goes away) do only one set, then two sets for a few weeks, then three sets. Do high reps(12-15), but use slow-strict form. Never lift to complete failure. As soon as a burn(fatigue) begins you are done with that set.

At home do Squats (to a low chair) & push ups(start on knees-not toes) with body weight. Seated lat pulls, side lateral raises, standing curls and triceps extensions can all be done with the stretch bands if your not at a gym. At the gym use machines for six months to avoid injuries, but graduate to free weights. With strength training, rest is as important as the workout. Remember less is more with resistance training. Intensity is the key. Why do 5 sets of 8 sloppy reps, when 2 sets of 12 slow-strict reps worked the muscle? Rest one minute between sets.

Do not beat yourself up for missing workouts. If I miss a day, but got more rest, I am very strong and enthused on my next workout. If your staying UNDER in your calories, your okay. Stay hydrated all day.

I strongly suggest you take advantage of the free gym. I have a gym at work and in a friends back yard, but kept one bench and adjustable dumbbells when I got rid of my garage gym(for a Hot Rod). If your NOT going to use the apartment gym, invest in two adjustable 45 lbs. dumbbells and a flat bench. Get them on craigslist.

You can get a great workout with very little gear. Remember, you burn more calories by having more muscle tissue.

The foods we eat are 80% of getting in shape. Consistency is more important than the workout. Good Luck.