what to do.. what to do?!?

• geauxbreaux
  
  Posts: 8
  
  
  Dec 07, 2012 9:39 PM GMT

  hey guys,
  i hope y'all could be of some assistance. oh, and if i keep up around here expect to see me to use the word "y'all" often. lol. i need some help, and without an understanding or any bit of knowledge myself on how to accomplish this i could use some advice and suggestions.
  
  little bit about me, 24 and over the past year and a half i've been working to achieve a goal. that goal being to live a healthier life, to be more active and take more pride in myself. i care much more about me than before and i want to be proud of what i have done and do set new goals.
  
  i was once a big guy, tipping in over 300 lbs. don't cringe and hit that back button just yet please. lol. i now weigh less than 169 pounds and have lost inches off my waist and have so much more energy. i think the this is how it works:
  
  adonis>fit>lean>average>outofshape>overweight>obese>dontcare
  
  or that's how i look at it. i'm in the outofshape range i suppose. very reflective and harsh sometimes on myself but i really don't have any upper body definition. there's probably a pound, pound and a half of fat left on my stomach but that's just one area of weakness. other parts i want to work on is my chest, arms, back and butt.
  
  i do sooooo much cardio, i think my calves are fine. haha. maybe i can learn from y'alls experiences or lifestyles. what could i be doing? what should i be doing?
  
  thank you!

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  Dec 07, 2012 10:46 PM GMT

  If you uploaded a pic of you.. I think it would be easier to determine what you need.

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• calibro
  
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  Dec 08, 2012 4:52 AM GMT

  start by not being a sock account

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• geauxbreaux
  
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  Dec 09, 2012 1:18 AM GMT

  calibro saidstart by not being a sock account

  
  
  what is a sock account? is there something i'm missing? would it be better to include a pic for y'all guys?

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  Dec 09, 2012 3:38 AM GMT

  geauxbreaux said

  calibro saidstart by not being a sock account

  
  
  what is a sock account? is there something i'm missing? would it be better to include a pic for y'all guys?

  
  
  Here. Pic the one by which we will know you.
  

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  Dec 09, 2012 3:48 AM GMT

  So many sock accounts... I hate it when they post... its like reading a boring newspaper column dedicated to writers who don't want to be "unknown", but always say the same damn thing. I'd rather be Out and share my negativity honestly in my own asshole ways, with my real profile, than post my issues in a sock account. Call me crazy, not the methods I use to express myself.

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• geauxbreaux
  
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  Dec 09, 2012 5:36 AM GMT

  i guess me no welcomed here. well thanks for the bruh-therly love. thanks all!

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  Dec 09, 2012 6:40 AM GMT

  geauxbreaux saidi guess me no welcomed here. well thanks for the bruh-therly love. thanks all!

  Aww.. Don't run off. The sarcasm is pretty high in the forums and some may translate that as hostility. But it's not. Guys are generally cool here and are willing to help.
  
  I do agree that you should at least post a body pic of yourself. It will help us get a better idea of what your current level of fitness is. Because everyone has a different definition/perception of what "out of shape" is. If you're concerned about your privacy, just blur your face out or something.
  
  Also, what's your goal? You weren't really specific other than being healthier. Do you want to be more muscular? Or more lean? If you could choose a celebrity's or athlete's body, who's would it be?

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• geauxbreaux
  
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  Dec 09, 2012 8:26 PM GMT

  xrichx said

  geauxbreaux saidi guess me no welcomed here. well thanks for the bruh-therly love. thanks all!

  Aww.. Don't run off. The sarcasm is pretty high in the forums and some may translate that as hostility. But it's not. Guys are generally cool here and are willing to help.
  
  I do agree that you should at least post a body pic of yourself. It will help us get a better idea of what your current level of fitness is. Because everyone has a different definition/perception of what "out of shape" is. If you're concerned about your privacy, just blur your face out or something.
  
  Also, what's your goal? You weren't really specific other than being healthier. Do you want to be more muscular? Or more lean? If you could choose a celebrity's or athlete's body, who's would it be?

  
  
  hey xrichx,
  i appreciate the effort to pull me back in. i hadn't known that sarcasm ran high around here but i suppose i can get used to it. i think the concern is me not disclosing a lot about myself. in honesty that's probably because i am not out myself. i haven't told any family or people close to me that i like guys. i'm not even sure i can like guys without having a six pack. /humor lol
  
  my goal is to cut the remaining fat i have along my chest, torso. if i have any left i don't know where it is. i realize the body is taking some time to get used to this excess space it has now, so gaining definition is something i am interested in. throughout this process (the weightloss) i've tried to do everything right especially in regards to nutrition. i want to be lean, and like i said prior the area of concern would be my stomach, chest, butt and arms. my arms are like the size of a kid from gradeschool! lol.
  
  i'll follow up shortly with a pic, and thank you for replying!

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• geauxbreaux
  
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  Dec 10, 2012 3:42 PM GMT

  
  
  DEC. 2012

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• mr_bijae
  
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  Dec 10, 2012 4:11 PM GMT

  Cardio has been great for your fat loss, but now it's time to add some strength training to your workout. Which also means it's time to stop looking at the scale because muscle weighs more than fat and if you're doing strength training you will be gaining some lbs back. Difference is they are good lbs! So keep using the camera to document your progress. Pick up some dumbells, light at first and do some simple curls and tricept extensions. You will also want to really hit the situps, every which way you can, with weights.
  
  You're at a cross roads and it's time to switch it up.. cardio AND weights..

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• geauxbreaux
  
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  Dec 11, 2012 2:20 AM GMT

  mr_bijae saidCardio has been great for your fat loss, but now it's time to add some strength training to your workout. Which also means it's time to stop looking at the scale because muscle weighs more than fat and if you're doing strength training you will be gaining some lbs back. Difference is they are good lbs! So keep using the camera to document your progress. Pick up some dumbells, light at first and do some simple curls and tricept extensions. You will also want to really hit the situps, every which way you can, with weights.
  
  You're at a cross roads and it's time to switch it up.. cardio AND weights..

  
  
  you seem to absolutely know the fear i have. i don't know how common it is but even after finally having a normal, in range BMI i still constantly check the scale.
  
  when you emphasize situps though, with constant dedication to those is it possible to begin to see my stomach start to gain some definition or tone? i have a local gym that i'm a member of with a variety of machines... is there anything in particular you'd recommend?

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  Dec 11, 2012 2:44 AM GMT

  I agree with mr_bijae.. ditch the scale. You should measure your progress based on how your clothes fit and how much energy you have in your daily activities.
  
  If you can afford it, hire a personal trainer at the gym for a few months. Learn how to use the various equipment in the gym, and especially learn how to perform free weight exercises properly. After you feel comfortable with pushing the weights around, you should check out Starting Strength. It's a book about free weight training and should help you advance your workouts.
  
  

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• geauxbreaux
  
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  Dec 11, 2012 2:35 PM GMT

  how do you not get tied up in the numbers? it would just seem as if they would be focused on differently in strength training.. how many repetitions you can complete, how many sets, how much weight, etc.
  
  if i can very easily notice my flaws i'm sure they can be just as quickly picked up from someone else. i don't mind the reading but what i am looking for is honest opinions and an evaluation of what i have done thus far and what i need to do from today on out.
  
  'preciate any other replies that follow! have a good morning all!

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  Dec 13, 2012 5:18 AM GMT

  If your profile pic is really you, look into cosmetic surgery to remove the excess skin. It has separated from the muscle tissue, and will not reattach without surgery. I know two other people (in person) who had to have this done after losing a shitload of weight.

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• MikeW
  
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  Dec 13, 2012 5:49 AM GMT

  Congratulations on your weight loss! I know that wasn't easy. Body transformation takes time and effort. Still, it is 80% diet and 20% exercise.
  
  mr_bijae and xrichx have it right. You now have to begin, slowly, working out your muscles, giving them a "reason" (stimulus) to grow. You also have to *feed* them so finding the proper ration of clean proteins, carbs and fats is essential. You can't really use the scales as much as you once did to monitor your success because muscle weighs more than fat. Rather you have to use a camera and/or a measuring tape. Calculate the ideal proportions for your chest and shoulders in relation to your waist for your height. That will give you something to aim for as you begin to work out. What matters now are those numbers, not the "lbs" so much.

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  Dec 13, 2012 6:08 AM GMT

  geauxbreaux said

  mr_bijae saidCardio has been great for your fat loss, but now it's time to add some strength training to your workout. Which also means it's time to stop looking at the scale because muscle weighs more than fat and if you're doing strength training you will be gaining some lbs back. Difference is they are good lbs! So keep using the camera to document your progress. Pick up some dumbells, light at first and do some simple curls and tricept extensions. You will also want to really hit the situps, every which way you can, with weights.
  
  You're at a cross roads and it's time to switch it up.. cardio AND weights..

  
  
  you seem to absolutely know the fear i have. i don't know how common it is but even after finally having a normal, in range BMI i still constantly check the scale.
  
  when you emphasize situps though, with constant dedication to those is it possible to begin to see my stomach start to gain some definition or tone? i have a local gym that i'm a member of with a variety of machines... is there anything in particular you'd recommend?

  
  
  I have to disagree with mr_bijae... Situps are not going to help you get definition if that's what you're hoping for. Situps should only be done because they are an excellent core exercise and your core needs stability. The only way to show your abs is to cut down with diet and cardio.
  
  For someone who used to be fat, it's probably a mistake to focus on your midsection. Actually, it's 100% a mistake to focus on your midsection. That will be the last place you are satisfied with because it will be the last place you ever see results. And when I say last, I mean "I'm on the border of bodybuilder territory" last place. It's because all the fat was stored there... and there's no way to put on muscle there to fill up the loose skin.
  
  Focus on your major muscles though and lift heavy. Bench Press, Squat, Shoulder Press, Preacher Curl, Skull Crusher, and Cable Rows. Filling out your major muscle groups will take you really far toward getting the definition you want. Because definition for a former fat boy is a problem of skin. You've lost weight and you're now a 3 lb sausage in a 4 lb skin. You need to fill it out.

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