Hey let's start the new years resolution to get in shape early!

[Fiz]

you're probably sitting there regretting eating more than the entire daily caloric intake of eritrea and have decided that it's really time to start working out and getting in to shape. You've already circle january first as the day you hunker down and get to it.

However, it's far better to do it now instead of waiting for a couple of reasons. The first is that gyms are at their cheapest right now, and as soon as january rolls around they'll jack all their prices up. The second is that you're going to have to train your body to lift weights and exercise. You can't just jump in to it or you'll get hurt/not know what you're doing/waste your time doing curls in the squat rack.

How to buy a gym membership

The first thing you'll probably think about is something like Gold's Gym or LA Fitness. Avoid these places like the plague. Your sign up fee will be something like 200 dollars, then you'll have to pay about 60ish dollars a month, and to cancel you'll have to pay two months up front.

For this you'll get things you'll never use, like 80 elliptical machines, 17 cable curl racks, and a bocce court or something like that. oh and plus they have more gyms than anyone in the world so next time you're on a business trip to sasketchewan you can pop in.

instead of supporting the corporate oligarchy, why not go to a small local gym? All we're going to need here is a squat rack and a flat bench. You don't need much more, and 45 pounds is 45 pounds wherever you are. they're a poo ton cheaper as well, and will let you cancel at any time.

Cool, I got my gym membership, now what do I need?

To go, basically. Don't blow a lot of money buying expensive under armor gear or anything like that. Just about all you need is a pair of gloves, and those cost about 10 dollars. Also a notebook to keep track of what you're doing.

Also, there's really no point in working out if you're not going to eat better. Losing weight involves eating fewer calories (good calories not twinkies) than you expend. Gaining muscle means eating more calories than you burn and eating a poo ton of protein. For our purposes, just don't drink soda, eat fast food, or eat white bread. When shopping at the grocery store, only eat things that are along the edge of the store (stuff that goes bad.)

Cool, no more mcdonalds, now what

If you really want to hit it hard in january and get the body you used to have (you never actually had it you just think you did) then you're going to need to prepare your body to start lifting weights. You can't just jump in to a serious workout routine, especially since all the supporting muscles you'll need are atrophied by now.

the good news is it's very easy to get back into shape, you don't need to put much time in to it, and we can pull it off in about a month. We're going to do three exercises in a 5x5 formation. This means you'll do five repetitions (reps) 5 times, increasing weight every time.

FLAT BACK DEADLIFT

[Hawk]

round is a shape

I'm done!

[SMACKDAB]

I'm already in shape too.

[Cat]

or we could just stay drunk til New Years and not care about anything else.

[LiQuiD]

Fiz I am quite impressed. Tons of good info and not really even a hint of smarmy goodness.

Bravo to you, sir!

[pstall]

Nice work. I just walked a few miles awhile ago since no hoops this weekend.

We were members of the Y and my wife was getting the emp discount since she works there PT during the summer when she was teaching but they don't really give the discount anymore. So I'm currently gym shopping.

[The Faceless]

Good info here, been lifting off and on for 10 years now. The 3 exercises Fiz mentioned are the bread and butter of bodybuilding. On the Squats and Deadlift especially, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to maintain good form, or you will end up with a hernia or crush/impact a disc in the spinal cord.

Also, it's a good idea if you are trying to build muscle to get some simple carbs(bottle of plain gatorade) and a whey protein shake in you ASAP. Your body has a window of about 30 mins after a workout where it is in an anabolic state, meaning it will use whatever is in your body to repair itself and the muscles. If you're trying to lose weight, it's still a good idea to at least get the protein. go to bodybuilding.com for more info, most of it is on the forums.

[Fiz]

people that are just working out don't need to worry about protein shakes

doing stuff like that leads to people going nuts and buying 8 cases of myoplex

[Zod]

eat less, move more

You're welcome

[The Link]

Good advice Fiz.

[Carolina Husker]

Not as snide as I would have liked, but good nonetheless. My issues has been and always will be football season and beer. Once the season's over, I become an Adonis within 5 weeks.

And seeing as I root for the Huskers and the Panthers, booze is an absolute necessity.

[Jase]

Month 11 of last year's new years resolution is almost complete... Been steady at 17 pounds of muscle gained for a few months now.

<< Can bench press all of you

[Darth Biscuit]

OK... where'd the real Fiz go?

This is good info for people... my membership at Gold's doesn't cost as much as he mentions, but otherwise, spot on.

[pstall]

fiz typically comes above board when it comes to diet/exercise. No shock to me.