martinh78 Member

I have different goals and in a different age range, but I'm sorry to hear you don't have the support of friends and family. You can do it without them though, just remember who's going to be looking and feeling better! You will get the last laugh, until then I can only recommend that you distance yourself from any…

You say you added fat in your mid section, how do you know that your muscle growth isn't actually added fat on top of your muscle? Genuinely interested, not criticising in any way.

I started this, I've modified it a little to suit my gym/needs/time/etc but it's working pretty well for me. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/lee-labrada-12-week-lean-body-trainer-week-1-main.html I like it because it works on a two days strength, one cardio day, and mixes things up that way. If I miss the gym for a day I…

Depends what your goals are surely? I'm doing both, 30mins of each per day usually. I enjoy rock climbing and hill walking and have an active job so need strength and stamina. There would be no point me just lifting as that wouldn't get me to the summit, but then there would be no point me just doing cardio as that…

I find monthly magazines have some good articles and tips in. I like Mens Health and Ultra Fit. I find they help me keep motivated each month and inspire me with a new routine or recipe etc.

baked potato.

Have a look at the Edinburgh Bicycle Company, I'm sure they used to specialise in touring bikes and were a good price. Also Thorn cycles in somerset make THE BEST long distance (round the world) touring bikes, I have seen the quality and they are excellent! Best of luck :o)

Eat them back HEALTHY though. Don't burn 600 cals and grab a big mac as a reward. I eat my exercise cals back as protein and slow release carbs as much as possible. ie chicken breast and sweet potato, that sort of thing (I also use protein and oat shakes, but my job is pretty active and I can't eat enough food during the…

How is slower to break down and spiking insulin less a BAD thing? I never understood why i was feeling tired after my lunch (a baked potato, pasta, or sandwich on white) until I read about GI and such like. Switched to sweet potato and brown rice and guess what, I'm not tired an hour after eating.

Thanks for the info so far, I shall research all of the above. Usually from leaving work to starting my workout is 15mins. I'm not allowed to eat at work, except for morning break and lunch, hence the 3-4 hours I get with no food before the workout. I am allowed to drink,m hence trying protein shakes sipped through the…

I'm down to 22.8% body fat, so still a long way to go, but have started strenght training as my arms and legs are actually skinny now. My fat is just around my belly. I think I look slim so am close to wanting to build muscle. Am interested to hear any recommendations so will follow this thread.

Well I bought one and have used it everyday! It does dry out foods a bit, but that's fat coming out so I'm happy with that :o) Cleaning isn't as easy as I had hoped, but the timer, quick cooking time. and the fact I don't have to stand over it make it more convenient than the griddle pan. I have found wiping it with a…

The chicken salad bowls are usually ok, about 220 calories and pretty filling. leave off any dressing (although "light" options don't usually have the dressing).

I wouldn't say no to any of them. Woman A because, well, you'd just do whatever she told you. Not gonna argue with her! Woman B, C and D because they are all very sexy.

What other machines do they have? It's worth trying different machines to work different muscles, so maybe give the stepper or rower a go. I think the key is not to say "today is cross trainer, tomorrow is strength" etc. I try to, but now and again I just do whatever I want to :o)

Brilliant stuff, really, really well done!

Magnesium supplements seem to help (before bed) and protein. I swear by protein shakes before bed, help me wake-up ready for another workout!

Thanks all, sounds great, so I've bought one :o) Looking forward to trying it out, maybe with some homemade turkey mince burgers and such. The saving on my gas bill should pay for it quite quickly!

Funny thing is I was advised to cut my carbs to aid fat loss (makes sense when explained) and I felt like crap. Flu liek symptoms, run-down, tired, aching. By teh end of the week I wasn't feeling good at all. Went home, drank two carb shakes and you know what, within an hour I felt great. I've put my carbs back up now,…

I've done it in teh past. I mixed boiled rice with baked beans and had it on 6 rounds of wholemeal bread for breakfast, followed by tuna pasta for lunch, and baked potato in the evenings... I'm not saying that's ideal, and knwo that the gi of teh white rice, baked potato and pasta is high so have cut back. Try an oat flour…

PHD Diet Whey, it's slow release, tastes GREAT and the texture is really good as well. Best I've tried so far, beats Maximuscle for texture. Don't bother with "Optimus Protein" as it's rubbish.

You've joined so that's a great start. If I were you I'd start by doing JUST cardio, maybe the cross trainer. Build your time up on this over the following weeks/months. The weight loss and cardio imrpovements over that time will hopefully make you more comfortable and capable of doing tougher exercises. The important…

Thanks, never seen "skinless sausages" so will have a look for them :o)

Pretty sure the sports direct one doesn't show calories burned. Like many cheaper watches, including low-end polar watches, they don't show/calculate calories burned. Have a look at the Sunnto range.

I received a set of resistance bands yesterday and am looking forward to squeezing in 15mins a day before work. I am interested to see what results people have had. I can see no reason they wouldn't be good for toning, and whilst the resistance is high enough good for muscle building as well.

I agree, and I think I need to up my activity level as I'm more acttive every day since starting a new job.

Doubt you've put on that much in muscle in two and a half weeks!

At your current rate about another 8-9lbs. I've lost 18lbs since August, so that's possible, but takes a lot of exercise.

I like a protein shake right after (within 30mins) as your muscles are like a sponge at that point, ready to absorb it! also having a protein shake takes the edge off my hunger which I usually get after a workout, and will not make good choices regarding my food as I just want food! A protein shake keeps the edge off for a…

I can't wait to see what you'll be thinking in the morning, and at your next weigh-in ;o) lol.