1Highlander

I'm a fan of the strong lifts program. There is a lot of info about it here on MFP, or you can just Google it. A nice thing about it (aside from it works) is that it's a quick workout which may be helpful if you have time constraints.

Who's going to Dragoncon? A meet up of fitness nerds must happen. I'll be there.

Pretty

I'm not a fan of the Red Bull style of energy drinks because of the high sugar content (roughly the same as a soda). I find the 0 sugar, 0 calorie energy shots to be better. They are all basically just niacin, taurine caffeine, B6 and B12. Good for a boost and not much of a crash. Still may mess with your sleep though if…

Free weight selection and a basketball court are top priorities. Good people to work out with and a helpful staff are also nice but that takes more than casual glance to find out.

I prefer to have a partner. My workout partners and I all get off work at the same time so it's straight from work to the gym so no timing issues. Having someone to spot you is nice and there is dead time between sets so it's either talk to someone or just listen to music (which is what I do if they bail on me).

Thanks for the advice guys. I don't mind if it takes a while, I'm in this for the long haul. I just wanted to know the best route to take.

Yeah, I feel this way too. Obviously I don't know you and your situation; but speaking of myself I know it's because the gym is the only place where I have control of my life. Needless to say I have issues to work on, but in the meantime I believe that a fitness vice is one I can live with. So, unless your training is…

My brain (named Johnny), being the drunken monkey that it is, is always yammering on about unhelpful stuff. I have two things that work for me; loud darkwave music or near total exhaustion. I imagine I look an odd sight as I silently mouth lyrics and quasi dance between sets of squats, dead lifts, and OHP.

Good luck. I joined a gym about 3 years ago and have been going steady since. It helps a lot (for me at least) to have friends that will go with you. Or you can just make friends there. If you go on the same days/times you will notice a lot of the same people over time.

Thanks for the help folks.

Personally I like them. I've dealt with bad foot and knee pain for years and since I started using Shape ups for the last 6 months or so I've hand MUCH less trouble. I use mine every day as my day to day work shoes and also for casual walking (up to 5 miles). I find it interesting that those who have tried them like them…

Yeah, time is becoming a factor for me as my work outs keep getting longer and longer. I appreciate the advice folks.

What, no lifters at MFP?

Take a look at this: http://josepharcita.blogspot.com/2011/03/guide-to-ketosis.html#33NN There is a lot of info there.

I make my own sushi, it's to good to be a 'just for special occasions' thing. Also this way I know exactly what's in it (only my favorite stuff) and how many calories it has.

amyrae143: CKD = Cyclical Ketogenic Diet (see why it's abbreviated). auctoritas: Thanks, a lot of good info on that first site. bcattoes: Yeah, I'd be willing to take your word for it. :)

A basic rule of thumb is to not work the same muscles on back to back days. The soreness you are felling now will go away and after a week or two your lifting will not cause any (or nearly as much) soreness even though you may be lifting more.

Big Cruxshadows fan here. Love both the lyrics and the BEAT.

Sounds like a fine plan to me. I got to say though, that while I do see a little bashing from time to time on MFP, over all it is much friendlier then average forum.

Anything by the Cruxshadows, VNV Nation, Wolfsheim, Neuroticfish, ect. If you actually know any of those bands I like you already.

I'd really recommend drinking more water and like others have said cut back on the sodium.

Good thing so few people speak english, or at least speak it properly.

Nixon would certainly sympathize. On a serious note I agree with the masses and recommend a doctors appointment.

I like this idea, like th OP I have knee troubles so I use the ellipitical for my cardio. My standard run is 6 miles in an hour but the idea of a marathon had never occured to me until now. i wonder how far I could go before I hit the proverbial wall. Do keep us posted on your progress and I hope your charity makes out…

Lol, love that one.