Hi guys, I have been lurking around the forums for a while now, after being linked to Johns Site, and the impressive picture, with all his monthly shoots on it :)

I need to start getting in shape and such, as I am quite out of shape, which hasn't really bothered me to that much of an extent, but I feel with going to university after the summer (october) that this would be a good time to try and change my lifestyle for the better :)

I just turned 18 in march, and i weigh in at 208.6 Lbs :( I am of about 6 foot in hight, just under I guess :)

I am going to be following this plan outlined @ http://bodybuilding.com/fun/mahler100.htm

I hope i make some good progress for the end summer :)

Does any one have suggestions :) The only equiptment I have is a bench, barbell, dumbells, with 50 KG of weights.
I plan on running on the cardio days :)

Some Pictures:
http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/6491/shot2fi3.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shot2fi3.jpg)

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/241/shot1fo8.th.jpg (http://img338.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shot1fo8.jpg)

The best plan of attack is to first change your eating habits. Read the stickies by gravityhomer and marcus in this forum, I daresay I couldn't have lost as much weight as I did without those 2 stickies. (a word from gravityhomer was particularly useful to me - "food is fuel for the body". Simple as it sounds it's of course true and if you can truely wrap your brain around that sentiment then eating healthy is a snap).

Calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate then plan meals around your caloric needs. Eat 5-6 small meals per day, and drink lots of water - at least a gallon a day. From all I've read, strength training is great to keep the pounds off since the more muscle you have the more calories your body uses to perform its normal functions.

When exercising make sure you know how to execute each exercise properly, and don't overdo it. Overworking muscles can be as bad as or worse than not working them at all. People at your local gym may not be the best people from which to learn your routines/exercises, they may be executing improper exercises.

And from what I've read, the best time to do cardio is in the morning before you eat, drink plenty of water and don't eat until one hour after finishing because your body will still be in exercise mode and will still be burning calories at a higher rate.

The most important thing, though, is to not get discouraged. Regardless of what your goal(s) is/are, realize that it will take time... it will take months, not days or weeks. It will often seem like, despite your best effrts, nothing is happening. Oh I assure you it is working! And if you keep your eye on the prize and have patience then your goal(s) will be realized.

Finally, read and learn as much as you can on these boards, the folk here are nice and more than willing to help the people that sincerely want to make life changes.

I wish you good luck on your journey :)

Thanks! Yeah I have been looking at alot of the info on these forums and others :) The diet things is going to be the more important thing, as I am actually fairly active already playing many sports :)