Three weeks ago, I decided to join a local gym and have been going regularly (3 or 4 times a week) since. My goals are threefold;
1) To lose weight (2st in old money),
2) To lose the beer belly
3) To improve overall fitness.
On my first visit to the gym, I was given an induction by a fitness trainer who showed me how to use a range of machines and also drew up an exercise routine to achieve my goals.
Each of the goals can be measured, 1) using scales, 2) visually and with a tape measure, 3) using heart rate monitors on the exercise machines.
To date, I have seen improvement in goals 2 and 3 but not in goal 1. I apprecioate that 3 weeks is still a short time but I had hoped to see some improvement in all goals.
What prompts me to seek advice, however, is actually about coming back after the gym!
When I return after a session at the gym (1 to 1.5 hours), I find I feel;
a) Hungry. So I tend to eat, which cannot be helping toward achieving goal 1.
b) Lethargic. I find I want to relax and rest.
c) Slightly agressive. Has the routine increased adrenalin or testosterone, which have yet to find release?
My questions to anyone who regularly uses a gym are;
is it usual to feel like this after a session at the gym?
is it better to go to a gym before or after a meal?
I had thought going after a meal might be better as it would allow the new calories to be 'burned off', however if I'm coming back hungry and eating then that kind of defeats the object! Is it better to go before a meal and then consume that meal upon my return?
RE: Advice on going to a gym, please.
I dont go to the gym much but I do a lot of the bts systems, body attack in particular, I probably do about 5 hour long classes a week.
Have been doing so for about 2 years. Our teachers say dont do a class after a heavy meal.
I am no expert but I would imagine that you would be ok exercising a couple of hours after a light meal but not a 3 course effort.
I have not weighed myself since I started and I have no intention of doing so. You will just give up if you are jumping on and off scales every 2 minutes.
I am fitter than I have been in my life, I can run for a bus without it killing me and when I went and bought a couple of new pairs of jeans last week I managed easily to get into a size smaller than I have been wearing.
So its not always about weight loss, its about toning up and getting healthy as well. Its also not the eating, its what you eat. If you eat well and cut out the rubbish and keep up the exercise then you will lose weight.
I would also say to you to try and mix up your exercise, add the gym to swimming or classes because it is easy for motivation to dip and drop off.
Me, I put my workouts into my everyday life, I go at weekends and on the way home from work and I dont see it asa chore, I love it.
Pauline
RE: Advice on going to a gym, please.
Hi
I really love going to the gym!
With regard to the lack of weight loss - muscle is heavier than fat so if you are losing fat but gaining muscle you may be counteracting the loss in terms of pounds. But if you are losing inches thats great.
With regard to the meal I try to go a couple of hours after a meal although if its breakfast am sometimes in within an hour of that. I used to find that i was hungry after a work out and dealt with this by planning what i was going to eat afterwards before i went so i didn't come home and raid the fridge or plan to come out of the gym around a meal time so its time to eat anyway.
I'm not sure about the feeling aggressive part - i know that exercising releases chemicals - endorphins whihc should make you feel happier - perhapes as its a new thing for you this is just a stress release?
As for feeling tired after i think that is perfectly normal but i have found that as i have got fitter and find the exercise less strenuous i am more energised when i leave the gym.
Hope this helps well done on the progress you've made so far and don't get hung up on whats not happening.
Sunbeamxx
RE: Advice on going to a gym, please.
My questions to anyone who regularly uses a gym are;
is it usual to feel like this after a session at the gym?
is it better to go to a gym before or after a meal?
Hi Deerwood, I used to be a YMCA trained Fitness Instructor in a Gym.
You will havestirred up some testosterone, so feeling a bit aggressive is normal. You maywell experieince lethargy to begin with -you can help this with sports drinks- bananas are great for fastacting energy food. As you get fitter this will probably change anyway, and you'll have much more energy. It's Ok to indulge your munchies after your gym visit - your metabolism will be faster, but as suggested above - keep the food healthy. i'd suggest a very light meal meal before you go and eat properly afterwards. Have a look at your overall daily intake and check it's a healthy amount of food, suitable for your needs - your Gym should be able to help.
As for weight loss, it's all about putting onmuscle which is 2x as dense as fat - you've lost the fatty middle, but you've put on muscle elsewhere. As you put on muscle, your body is more effective at burning calories, and you may or may not end up losing weight - it depends on how much fat you lose versus how much muscle you put on. As Pauline suggested above - don't worry about it, as you are doing the right thing to achieve a healthy body. Well done, and good luck.
Sharon
RE: Advice on going to a gym, please.
Thanks for the comments. I have given the Gym a few more weeks just to see what effect it had. As my 'workout' has increased, I find myself burning off more energy and not feeling hungry when I return home. I generally do feel fitter and the ugly beer belly is fast disappearing!!
As for my weight, well that has not come down as yet but, neither has it increased any further.