Alright, so here goes it:

I'm 25 years old, having been overweight most of my life. I have a gym membership that never gets used, and I've had it for over 4 years now. How sad. Now is the time for me to build the body I've always wanted. The year has started out in a postive direction, and there is nothing to distract me at this point. So why wait?

Right, now I'm 291 lbs. I've lost 12 lbs. since November. My waist is 46/48. Thank God for George Forman pants LOL. Actually it's not funny at all! I have friends who are gym rats, and I'd like to become one myself. But I always feel that I need to control my diet first before working out, and staying dedicated. So I want to come up with a plan, and direction on how to improve my overall health, and well being. I'd like to be all muscle within the next year or so. But I need accountability. Also, I'm not that educated when it comes to working out and what the different excercises are. Most of my weight is in my stomach, waist, and neck. I really want to build definition within my body, Any suggestions? I'm getting ready to take some before pictures. I'm scared shitless to see how fat I really am, and show others...

Also, I've been seeing a lot of people talking about cutting, and bulking. What is this? What should I do as far as Diet, Excercise go? I'd like to work out 5 days a week (maybe in the morning before work, and evening after work -not to overdue it or anything, but to have a great workout routine. I need your help guys. Any words of motivation, and wisdom would be appreciated. Hope to hear from you soon!

LS

Alright, so here goes it:

I'm 25 years old, having been overweight most of my life. I have a gym membership that never gets used, and I've had it for over 4 years now. How sad. Now is the time for me to build the body I've always wanted. The year has started out in a postive direction, and there is nothing to distract me at this point. So why wait?

Right, now I'm 291 lbs. I've lost 12 lbs. since November. My waist is 46/48. Thank God for George Forman pants LOL. Actually it's not funny at all! I have friends who are gym rats, and I'd like to become one myself. But I always feel that I need to control my diet first before working out, and staying dedicated. So I want to come up with a plan, and direction on how to improve my overall health, and well being. I'd like to be all muscle within the next year or so. But I need accountability. Also, I'm not that educated when it comes to working out and what the different excercises are. Most of my weight is in my stomach, waist, and neck. I really want to build definition within my body, Any suggestions? I'm getting ready to take some before pictures. I'm scared shitless to see how fat I really am, and show others...

Also, I've been seeing a lot of people talking about cutting, and bulking. What is this? What should I do as far as Diet, Excercise go? I'd like to work out 5 days a week (maybe in the morning before work, and evening after work -not to overdue it or anything, but to have a great workout routine. I need your help guys. Any words of motivation, and wisdom would be appreciated. Hope to hear from you soon!

LS

You are a number of years overdue, but it is never too late. Now take a little time to plan things. Go to gym and simply walk on a treadmill for 20-30 minutes at 2.5 mph for first week. Start cutting back big time on sugar filled items. cut back on portions.

Important thing be active from now on: no elevators use stairs where possible. Park as far away from stores as you can. Walk dog. cut TV time down to 2 hours a day and 1 hour on computer. Get 8 hours sleep in bed, not in chairs and couches. Wash your car. and etc.

Right now read stickies, they will tell you how to plan diet and calories. You will get tons of suggestions here, none will be bad, some will be better than others. Listen and read.

Don't be in a hurry, you have waited a very long time, now you have begun the journey, the important thing is to stay fixed on the prize and never go back, always forward.

Oh, weight training is a must in any program! and youare cutting (fat)

rtestes gives good advice.

Ok, here's my advice for new folks trying to lose fat.

The most important factor in losing fat from anywhere on the body is diet. I think you're right -- until you have a good diet in place, there is no need to get extra exercise. Lazy people on a good diet will lose fat. Active people on a bad diet will gain fat. The best place to start thinking about a diet is the sticky at the top of this forum.
http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=1222 Check out the link. That will get you started.

Once your diet is in place (or at least moving in the right direction), the next most important thing is weight training. Muscles burn calories 24-hours each day by just existing. Bigger muscles burn more calories. So, start weight training. Do complex exercises, squats, rows, crunches, etc. If you're new to weight lifting, start slow. Start with lighter weights, lifted more times. Concentrate on proper form. There's lots of info. on these forums for weight training.

Once you have your diet in place and your weight lifting program up and running, it is time to throw in some cardio. You want to do some activity that gets your heart rate up. Jogging, swimming, biking, elliptical machine, jump rope, anything that gets that heart rate up.

Ok, those three things should get you losing fat steadily. Remember, you don't want to lose more than 1% of your body weight each week (though beginners usually lose a lot in the first few weeks, that's ok).

Also, I would recommend you making slow, small, but deliberate changes. If you alter your life radically in one week (eating stuff you never would before, exercising like crazy), you'll give up quickly. If you want to really get healthy, make small changes. For example, in your diet -- learn about diets this week, and cut out all soda. Nothing else. Next week, no soda and dessert only 3 nights each week instead of 6. Little changes. Soon, you'll find that you love to eat healthy because it makes you feel so good -- energized all the time, your mind will be sharper -- you'll love it.

Lots of folks have come to JSF just like you and we're losing the fat together.

Oh, as far as cutting and bulking -- "cutting" means eating a little less than what you are using, and therefore reducing (cutting) the amount of fat on your body. With a calorie deficit like this, it is nearly impossible to gain muscle (except a few weeks for beginners). So, when people have very little fat, we like to have a slight calorie surplus diet, and work hard on building muscle. This is called "bulking."

Basically, you can either build muscle (bulk), or cut fat (cut), but you can't do both at the same time.

I hope this helps. Keep us updated on your progress. You'll find lots of encouragement here. Welcome to the forums!

I'm not sure how reliable those bodyfat tests are going to be for someone who is morbidly obese.

As far as tips and advice :
Start slow. a little low impact cardio (walking is good for now) and a little resistance training. (3 days a week of 30mins cardio and 3 days a week of 45mins fullbody lifting program is a very good base to build from).

Everything starts with nutrition. start by removing or greatly reducing the junk food and to compensate for this try to "learn" to like new healthier whole food choices.

Don't charge in with an all or nothing attitude. It usually does not work well in the long term. Think strategy not tactics,
Going on a crazy exercise regime and losing 15lbs in 1 month will get you no where. You need to find/learn/adjust the behavior patterns and habits that will help you lose 120lbs in 1-2 years. Strive for perfection but don't be prefect (does this makes sense?)

:gl:

Shahar.