Hi all. I'm Keme (pronounced 'Pablo') and I've decided to get in shape.

Currently, I'm a pretty formless ectomorph. I've no muscle tone or definition and a slowly spreading paunch around the midsection. I've joined a gym, bought a couple of training books, made my first ever workout compilation CD (btw - Bloc Party = Kickass workout music!) and am just about to head out for my first workout. This journal will chronicle my progress and give you guys a place to kick my ass if I start slacking off.

Wish me luck!

Had my first workout today. Did a 5KM run in 30 mins. Not bad, considering I haven't run for nearly a year. My first full body workout is tomorrow. Can't wait.

Okay, so I had my first full body workout yesterday and I'm taking today off. Not by choice, you understand, but by necessity, since I can't so much as wipe my nose without every ravaged muscle in my body screaming in protest. God, it hurts! Isn't this stuff supposed to be good for you?

Okay, the pain has subsided somewhat since last night and I'm ready to hit the gym again. I'm doing the routine below:

ARMS:

2x12 Barbell Bicep Curls - 25kg.
2x12 Dumbbell Hammer curls - 10kg

2x12 Overhead Dumbbell Tricep Extensions x 10kg
2x12 Cable Curl Tricep Extensions (don't know if this is the right name for this exercise - It's the one where you use a cable curl machine and pull the rope downwards until your arms are straight and by your sides, then slowly bring the rope back up again) - 20kg

CARDIO:

30 mins LISS cardio (running/elliptical trainer/bike/stairmaster/whatever)

SHOULDERS:

2x12 Dumbbell Military Press - 10kg
2x12 Front Deltoid Raises - 5kg

BACK:

2x12 Barbell Rows - 15kg
2x12 Lat Pulldowns - 28kg

CHEST:

2x12 Flat Bench Press - 20kg
2x12 Incline Dumbbell Bench Press - 20kg

LEGS:

2x12 Squats - 20kg
2x12 Hamstring Curls - 35kg

I know the weights are pretty light but, well, so am I :) I did this workout the other day and barely managed it so I've got a long way to do. I'm going to be doing this workout 3 times a week for the next 6 weeks or so. Then I might switch to a split routine emphasising chest & arms one day and back & legs another day. As for nutrition, I don't really have a set plan. I'm just eating lots of protein & green veg and staying off the booze & junk food.

I'm sooo looking forward to my cheat meal this friday :)

I acted like a total idiot last night. At his third and, at our employers behest, final attempt, a friend of mine passed some important exams at work, so we went out to celebrate. I had a few drinks, a few cigarettes (I'm trying to quit and, last night aside, have been doing pretty well) and rounded it all off with a kebab. It was a total failure of willpower and I'm going to try and make sure it doesn't happen again. I'm off for a run now and will be hitting the gym for my full body workout later tonight.

Went for a run today. Did about 3 miles. I had to stop because I was getting pains in my left ankle. A friend I was running with pointed out that my running shoes were a bit knackered so we went and bought some more. They fit pretty good and I'm looking forward to breaking them in properly tomorrow. My workout was pretty good. I'm now at the following weights:

BARBELL BICEP CURLS - Still 25K
HAMMER CURLS - Still 10K
TRICEP EXTENSIONS - Still 10K
CABLE CURL TRICEP EXTENSIONS - 30K (FROM 25)
SHOULDER PRESS - Still 10K
FRONT LATERAL RAISES - 5K (FROM 4)
BARBELL ROWS - 25K (FROM 15)
FLAT BENCH PRESS - 30K (FROM 20)
INCLINE BENCH PRESS - 10K (FROM 7.5)
LAT PULLDOWNS - Still 28K
SQUATS - Still 20K
HAMSTRING CURLS - Still 35K.

A small improvement, but an improvement nonetheless :)

I have had a rather nasty cough the last few days so I've not been to the gym. I'm going to risk it today, performing the full body workout above pluc 30 mins LISS on a cross trainer. Should be good fun.

Oh, I've also noticed a definite increase in my biceps since I started training last week. That's pretty cool :)