Hi guys,

I'm new to this, trying to get into fitness seriously. I wouldn't consider myself unfit, just not as fit as I would like to be! I'm about 165lbs, 19 years old, just under 6ft and about 12.8% bodyfat acording to my scales (which always seem to change their mind...). I have just started a fitness regime which consists of 3x weight training per week (chest/arms/legs) and 2-3 cardio sessions with 2-3 abs sessions thrown in for good measure.

I've attached some pics for anyone who wants to comment on what kind of routine I should be following, any comments/criticsm/help appreciated.

Basically what I do is each weight training day consists of 5-6 different exercises, each repeated 3 times. Cardio is either swimming, running, cycling or a team sport like soccer etc.

I am aiming to build muscle and increase muscle definition. I am also watching my diet, avoiding fatty foods and sugar, aiming for a 40:40:20 ratio in my diet and taking 3x GlyerLean protein shakes per day. I was thinking of taking creatine, is this worth it? Also, how many calories should I be aiming to take and should I be bulking or cutting??

Would appreciate any comments on my routine and pics and any pointers in the right direction.

Jimbo

I'm happy to be the first to wish you good luck.

While I have never tried (probably never will, I'm not too big on supplement) I have heard fantastic things from creatine users. First hand knowledge is the best, but if I was forced to take a sup, it would be that based off what I have heard.

Hi guys,

I'm new to this, trying to get into fitness seriously.
Welcome and congrats on your decision. It will be life changing!:tucool: I made the decision in July and I have the same regret as everyone else: I wish I would have done it sooner. It may seem dificult at first but that is just your mind struggling to break bad habits. Just fight back.

I have just started a fitness regime which consists of 3x weight training per week (chest/arms/legs) and 2-3 cardio sessions with 2-3 abs sessions thrown in for good measure.
Make sure that you add back & shoulder workouts into this. Doing full body workouts 3 times a week would be a good start for someone just getting serious about fitness. The main thing right now is to get you working out consistently. There are a lot of different workouts/diets and ideas on cardio but remember that consistency is key.

Basically what I do is each weight training day consists of 5-6 different exercises, each repeated 3 times. Cardio is either swimming, running, cycling or a team sport like soccer etc.

I am aiming to build muscle and increase muscle definition. I am also watching my diet, avoiding fatty foods and sugar, aiming for a 40:40:20 ratio in my diet and taking 3x GlyerLean protein shakes per day. I was thinking of taking creatine, is this worth it? Also, how many calories should I be aiming to take and should I be bulking or cutting??
in my opinion you should be cutting. The definition in your muscles will show when you burn the fat and uncover them.

Would appreciate any comments on my routine and pics and any pointers in the right direction.

Jimbo

Again welcome and the best advice that I ever received was not to multiply mistakes. It is bound to happen: missed workout/eating/cardio or cheating. Just don't throw in the towel on the whole day/week/month or give up all together. If mistakes happen move on. If people could keep their mistakes singular then in the long run they will hit whatever goal they aspire to

I would like to start by saying welcome!

Next, I would like to say I agree with everything said so far, except that I beleive you should BULK. You don't have much fat, and if you cut at this point, you will look like a skeleton. You definitely need to work on building some quality muscle at this point, so that means you need to do some research on bulking diets. Read the stickies in the main forum to find out this information.

Cut. Work all your body parts, mainly compound exercises. Start reading stickies and forums.

BTW: my guess 14-16% BF

okay... I'm going to come in on a middle ground from what everyone has said... I agree with just about everything kribrg said... very good advice there :tu: but here is where I will differ from everyone else... I would suggest starting at your maintainance calories and sticking to that number for at least the first month... you're new to weight training and are in a unique situation where it will be able to build muscle and lose fat at the same time... so by staying at maintenance you will be feeding you body enough to build muscle but not enough to add fat... by adding muscle you will boost your matabolism and burn fat, add the cardio and you'll burn more fat... in a month, take more pictures and see how much progress you have made, and then decide if you need to bump up or drop down your calories based on your progress and your goals... it needs to be what you want to do... not what we think you should do :tucool: :gl:

I'm with chameleon on this one. Eat around maintenance, maybe a little more. Do heavy compounds like rtestes suggests, like my current routine:Compound Delite (http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=25042)

I've been on this for the last 6 weeks and it's really making me stronger. :tu:

To me the first order of business for a new trainer should be to get stronger and build a solid base for future gains. Develop good technique, habits, and a solid posterior chain. Then worry later about buffing it up and the cosmetics.