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I'll attempt to make this as quick as possible. My entire life I've been skinny, and in relatively good shape. I'm currently 22, almost 23, and I've noticed the good ol' metabolism starting to slow down. I've put on 15lb since I was 18. I'm currently 158lb, and I am 5'7. My girlfriend doesn't want me to get as skinny as I used to be (and she thinks I'm perfect how I am...a little squish?), but when I look in the mirror all I see is a double chin and a gut. With that said, I have a fear of gyms because I'm not familiar with the equipment, and quite frankly, I don't want to embarrass myself. My cousin is a body builder and my friends all work out. They always bug me to come with them to the gym, and I kindly refuse with useless excuses. I'd rather not change my diet, but I'd prefer to tone up.
How does one get over this fear? I have the equipment to workout at home, but it always tends to last a week before I get bored and give up.
Here is a few before and after pictures.
+ Show Spoiler +sfw 2009. ![[image loading]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/bmxliveit2/Picture16-1.jpg) 2007 (don't mind the weird kissy face)---But seriously smile people ![[image loading]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/bmxliveit2/Picture91.jpg) 2007(some picture a friend took...not real tattoos) ![[image loading]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/bmxliveit2/Rob.jpg) Now, this is me currently... ![[image loading]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/bmxliveit2/IMG_0710.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b354/bmxliveit2/IMG_0709.jpg)
With all that said, and shown, I'd like to ask how you all got over the fear etc. I need motivation.
Now the goodies:
--I found a Friendly's that sells my favorite icecream. I thought that it had gone extinct, but Friendly's Fudge Swirl icecream does still exist!
![[image loading]](http://hannaford.gsnrecipes.com/GetImage.aspx?vector=eZ1W75RGppSy0gMsrrhpHONgRpRqCxtWAZbG+kWHrkke21xRZClo8jdaqitFi03g) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--I was able to sign up for two classes for the summer
1) Intro to programming C
2) Writing for professionals
I'm extremely happy about this. I dropped C programming because I was doing poorly in it, but over the past month I've read two books on the topic and I feel like I have a much better grasp on it. I AM PREPARED. I'm unsure what "writing for professionals" will entail, but this is the first English class that I will have taken in several years. Being an IT major does now allow you to take many English/writing courses.
--The new Marlins stadium has an awesome fucking aquarium near the backstop. It is genius.
![[image loading]](http://nbcoutofbounds.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/marlinsparkaquarium.jpg?w=320)
--Last, but not least...Life is fantastic. I made it official (kind of with the girl...thus the gf mention above): I've known her for nearly 10 years. We get along perfectly well, and most importantly, I love being out with her. I took her downtown for the first time the other night to the clubs. It was her first time at a bar/club, and she fell in love! She looked stunning in her dress (I rarely see her get "fancy"). We will definitely be trying new things soon!
Thanks for reading guys---I'd really appreciate some input!
-ranshaked
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You don't need to go crazy in order to get your exercise. An hour of walking a day can do wonders. Take up swimming or easy biking. There are plenty of low intensity things that can keep the weight off. Don't think that lifting or machines are the only answers. Increased muscle mass will help your metabolism, but it's usually accompanied with a massive appetite. Lifting gives you muscle tone, but won't make you skinny. Proper diet and cardio (or like I said, just walking) will keep the second chin and belly off.
Also, for the sake of political correctness, I am also obligated to tell you that you are beautiful, no matter how fat you are. Being fat is by no means a negative trait and has no bearing on your attractiveness, health or well being. Remember, fat doesn't kill people, its the insults from other people that induce low self-esteem that kills. I'm kidding btw, but try to keep the weight off and don't feel so self-conscious about it :-p.
EDIT: Move that SFW tag outside of the spoiler. No point in having a warning (or non-warning) if you need to see the images anyways lol.
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hour of walking a day will do fuck all. i walk about 6 hours a day at my job and all i can tell you is it fucking blows.
join the TLHF here http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/index.php?show_part=63
go to the gym tomorrow/day after, after reading the Starting Strength intros
welcome to the club..
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Going to the gym doesn't mean being super hardcore and tryhard about it. Lots of gyms give you an apointement with a teacher there, he will evaluate your all around condition, show you how to make certain exercises and after that you just need to stick to your routine.
Honestly, getting used to the different exercises is the only hard part, and it doesn't really take long to go over it.
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On April 05 2012 10:40 FFGenerations wrote:hour of walking a day will do fuck all. i walk about 6 hours a day at my job and all i can tell you is it fucking blows. join the TLHF here http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/index.php?show_part=63go to the gym tomorrow/day after, after reading the Starting Strength intros welcome to the club..
Go to the gym, get ripped, own life.
Just don't be one of those guys that does curls in the squat rack. thx
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Everyone goes to the gym for the same reason, to IMPROVE THEMSELVES, whether its cutting, getting stronger, or getting aesthetic as fuck, no one will judge you unless you really really make a fool of yourself. Also diet is the most imoprtant factor, so you might wanna get that in check  .
@ kaisr you know you love the curl warriors!
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On April 05 2012 10:52 kaisr wrote:Go to the gym, get ripped, own life. Just don't be one of those guys that does curls in the squat rack. thx
Yep so true.
And god, I fucking hate those kids who curls in the squat rack.
Fucking waste of space. They only curl the fucking bar anyways,..
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My gym recently put some platforms with slightly above knee level bars next to the squat racks. Basically a place to do rack deadlifts and curls. Haven't seen anyone curling or shrugging in the squat racks lately. Ingenius that someone finally solved the problem 
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I to, want to work out. But the lazies get to ya 
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God, working out feels so good. I know that sounds weird, but I love lifting weights more than anything else in my life besides writing. The feeling you get after you DESTROY your muscles is so, SO good. Of course, you always have to deal with the soreness that comes the next day, but man up and get over it.
IF you REALLY want to do this, you don't need a gym. In fact, I don't recommend a gym. I have a "home gym" which consists of:
1. A 300lb olympic weight set.
2. 4 dumbbells (for different exercises).
3. Two barbells.
4. A jump rope.
5. Push up stands.
6. Knee mats.
7. Ceiling mounted pull-up bar.
Check out Scooby's Workshop for some amazing body building material that is all completely free! <3 Scoobs - he helped change my life forever.
If you have any doubts or misgivings about this - stop and think about WHY that might be. Don't you want to feel good? There is no greater feeling than finishing a workout and realizing that you just did more than the week before. And, of course, the results make it that much better.
Don't expect to serious gains right away - it takes around two to three years of training before you will begin to see RIPPED results. Also, don't try too hard. I was overzealous about working out when I first started (loved dumbbell flies - still do) and overtrained big time. Such wasted potential.
If you are looking to get a good body, destroying your muscles is POINTLESS if you do not have good nutrition to back it up. For most people, that means DOUBLING your protein intake and eating only whole grains, fiber, and reducing fat intake heavily. The quickest way to see results is to reveal the muscles that are ALREADY there, and that means doing 45-60 minutes of cardio and eating well (6 meals is best, I eat 5.5).
GO GO GO! This is worth it! The best way to get started is to get in there and do it! I recommend printing off the beginning workout plan on Scooby's website and learning the proper forms for each exercise. From there find starting weights, and take it SLOW! Your body has to get used to this, but once it does, you won't want to stop. Living well is so addicting.
GL yo  .
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I found that doing a bit of research before starting in the gym really helps. I started lifting weights / bodybuilding about 7 months ago, and go 5 days a week. At first I was really nervous and didnt know if I was doing anything right or not. I just went to bodybuilding.com and read as much as I could about everything relating to what I wanted to do. They even have hundreds of short videos showing you exactly how to do each exercise properly,with good form. From there I got a workout partner and use him to motivate me. Now 7 months later its become a part of my life and I naturally crave going to the gym everyday.
Just dont be one of those guys that doesnt know jack shit and goes to the gym doing every exercise wrong, and spending more time sitting on a bench or machine txting and playing with your phone. I cant stand those people, when you are waiting to get on the bench press and they are sitting on it for an hour texting, after only doing 1-2 sets (with terrible form at that).
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Is it the lazies? Or just the fact that repeating the same movements over and over is plain boring?
I never got into any of that stuff: jogging, swimming, weight-lifting, all of it is too mind-numbing for me. I just play sports that I like and find fun, 4-5 times a week. For me it's tennis, hockey and soccer but whatever keeps you interested. It doesn't make you "ripped", doesn't make you into the socially arbitrary standard of a "hot guy" or whatever, but you'll be in great health and that's what counts most imo, plus you'll be having fun at it which is the best motivation. Then again, if your self-image is entirely dictated to you by the standards being displayed around you, I can't really help.
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Is your goal to lose weight and become skinny like you were before? Or do you not mind the extra weight, provided that it's more muscle and less fat? (Much better looking imo)
If it's the latter, I would suggest getting into the TLHF thread, read Starting Strength and feel free to ask questions on form or anything like that.
I know saying "just get over it and go to the gym!" isn't really helpful. It would be loads easier to go with a friend or your cousin until you feel more comfortable with the gym. But if you can't, just get in there and do your thing. There's this skinny asian girl at my uni's gym who comes in alone to lift weights. Granted, she can't do much yet, but she doesn't bother anyone and no one bothers her. People are more likely to judge her than they would judge you.
Best of luck!~
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On April 05 2012 10:40 FFGenerations wrote:
hour of walking a day will do fuck all.
Do you seriously believe this? I'm honestly baffled if this is the case.
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On April 05 2012 19:39 BenBuford wrote:Show nested quote +On April 05 2012 10:40 FFGenerations wrote:
hour of walking a day will do fuck all. Do you seriously believe this? I'm honestly baffled if this is the case.
Any activity will give you some kind of benefit as long as you eat right. Of course you wont see much results from just walking if you stuff yourself with ice cream or pizza and pasta and so on. Sugar based products in fact.
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Going to the gym freuently and keeping this up requires you to:
-be acutally motivated. dont go because you feel you should, go because you actually want it
-leave your shame and competitive spirit at home when you go to the gym. If you are working out and you are only thinking about not looking like an idiot your not gonna achieve anything. Being overly competitive (trying to lift more weight you then you actually can) will just demotivate you in the end and possibly leave you with an injury.
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I used to be the skinny one as well, but when I reached 22, and stopped smoking, I gained 30 lbs and really didn’t like the way I looked. Also my cardio sucked... I tried working out at the gym but didn’t like it, 30 minutes in the elliptical and 5 Min of crunches was my routine. Did this for 1 month, 3 times a week and didn’t see results got discouraged and stopped.
2 months ago an old friend of mine started working with me. I hadn’t seen her in a while. See she used to be the chubby one back in high school, now she has a mother fucking 6 pack!! I was like WHAAAAAAT!? Tell me all your secrets! And she did.
The type of training she does is called HIIT: High-intensity interval training. And honestly, I started that with her 1 month and a half ago and dropped from a size 13 to a size 8. And seriously, I didn’t change my diet at all. It’ a work out that takes 12 minutes, you sweat like crazy, and hurt the next day, unless you stretch properly after. At first it’s only body weight training, so no need for weights or anything. You can do it alone in your basement or whatever. Then after 2 or 3 months when you get better, all you need is a sand bag. The exercises change everyday so its not too repetitive and you get a full body workout which helps tone up faster. I do it 5 times a week and it works wonders!
Maybe it’s not a really "manly" work out but honestly you should try it. For more info check that out: http://www.bodyrock.tv/
Just re-read my text and it sounds like a weight loss miracle testimony lolll. But I swear, it’s all the truth.
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You have to be consistent and persistent in your workout routines. Going for a month then slacking off for the next two months don't do you much good. Start with a routine that doesn't break your back and doesn't take a huge time commitment. Move to the next level (consult the gym trainer or the awesome TL Health & Fitness section) only when you don't feel like workout is a commitment - it should become a natural part of your daily/weekly life, just like a full-time job.
Working out, in general, is good for both the body and the mind. I recommend you to start a regular routine!
P.S. Healthy diet is just as important as a workout routine (some say even more important) so no more ice cream!!!
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Most gyms will offer you one session with a personal trainer pro bono. The guy/gal will usually put you through some cardio and take your heart rate and show you how to use the machines around there. This might not be the case at some of those stinky basement bodybuilding gyms, but most of the more family/unisex places will have that (YMCA, etc...). Lifting weights is pretty easy (intellectually), so don't worry too much about it .
Also, am I the only one who thinks this guy has a weird amount of pictures of himself shirtless?
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If you go to the gym with your body builder friends I'm sure they will answer any questions you have and show you how to use the equipment.
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EPT
