Newbie, Also need some help with supplements

You lose weight by eating at a deficit. Period. Log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly.

Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Hello, really new to this site, and figured would introduce myself, and possibly get some feedback. My name is Cory and I am 28 yo. I use to workout quite a bit, all the way through high school, but as time went on, I just stopped doing so. Have gone to the gym once in a blue moon, but never something I pursued as an adult. Well I stepped onto the scale the other day, and realize this is something I can no longer ignore. I now weigh 220 lbs and being that I am 5'11", I guess I could be considered obese. To me that is just something that I have never been able to come to terms with, and now that I have, it must be resolved. I have been going to the gym within the last 5 days, 4 out of those 5, and realize that I am wayyyy out of shape. Talked to one of the trainers there, and she gave a little information, consume half of your body weight in protein, eat something nutritional every 4 hours. But, at this point I am a little lost and would love to receive some guidance. I have heard about supplements, but never really looked into, and doing so now, it is extremely overwhelming. You have whey protein, hemp protein, casein protein, and a whole slew of others. Plus there is the pre and post workout supplements, the fat burners, the vitamins, amino acids, the enzymes, etc. At this point, I would love to just meet someone that can either educate me on everything and give advice, or point me into the right direction that will provide sound information (considering everything always contradicts something I have already read). I am planning on alternating hot yoga and body pump, and wondering if it would help to do the elliptical or treadmill, and/or even heavy weight lifting. I not only want to lose weight, but I want to tone up, in a way I never have. Weight lifting in high school instilled a good fundamental base, but never really had that ripped physique have always wanted, and afraid that exercise and dieting wont be enough. Thanks for at least reading this, and hope to get some positive insight.

Welcome Cory!! People here have varying opinions on supplements, protein powders, and other supplements. I'll just give my own advice on what I have used and found success with.

Casein protein is a slower digesting protein so it takes more work for your body to break it down. Makes it a great protein to have before bed to keep your muscles fed overnight.

I take L-Carnitine (currently using pro Supps L-arnitine 1500 chocolate flavor) before working out and have an amino acid post workout drink (currently using Pro Supps AminoLinx fruit punch flavor) to help refeed my muscles after beating myself up and it really helps (me) with lessening any muscle soreness. CLA can be good for helping to burn fat, which is found in dairy products. You can also buy it separately as a supplement, but it isn't necessary.

As for your plans with Yoga and body pump, that sounds fantastic to me. Body Pump is an amazing workout. I used to take that class all the time years ago, it was my favorite class. I don't think extra cardio is necesarry. Maybe take a few Pump classes and get a handle on lifting, then venture into the free weight section. or check out Strong Lifts 5x5 - fantastic info there.

Good luck on your journey!

Edited for spelling, hope it fixed em all

No supplements needed!!! Just eat healthy and the energy will follow, which will help you at the gym. 80% of weight loss is nutrition. So if you start there, then everything else will follow. Good luck!

My opinion
1. Supplements: for now disregard any supplements. Get your diet on track ensuring a good balance of F/C/P - start getting into the habits of eating healthy - Tracking on MFP is a great help. Tablets -
2. Ripped look: Fat loss is key - you will be told 1000 times you cannot out exercise a "bad" diet. I would pull on your previous experience in weight training for maintaining muscle mass while shredding the KG. Cardio your call I would suggest unless you love running 25 mins "warm up" to get your weight training into anaerobic mode "easier"
3. Pre / post work-out shakes: For now shelve the idea. Unless you are doing multiple work outs in a day your body still takes some hours to process the "shake / bar" - for now I recommend on shredding those KG's (fat) and maintain as much muscle as possible maintain protein in nutrition and day apart resistance training eg. 1 off 1 on
4. Body weight exercises - consider some of these in your routine eg. holding the Plank position 30 secs on and off for 3 reps

Fat intake is important - Eat healthy levels, many diet foods / low fat are either loaded with sugar or artificial sweeteners. No foods are bad - it is eating the right balance and in proportions.

Balanced diet - Keep it simple if you can prepare your own meals you will have a better idea of what you are eating
Get a scale: For now weigh everything you eat to ensure you accurately estimate your intake / calories. You can then use your own judgement what foods you need to weight and what you can estimate later and it also helps if you get your "eye in" for estimating meals you eat out.

Exciting times for you! You are in a great place and position with your previous experience you can draw on this to really make a difference and you will see changes pretty quickly to keep you motivated. As tacky as it sounds take some photos and body measurements now as well as your weight these can serve as great motivators also especially when you hit a weight plateau - it will happen at some point - you can see just how far you have come and it helps you keep focused.