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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - New to this SUB forum and weight loss and toning is the goal

Posted: 12/16/2018 4:17:47 PM EDT

As I get older (49) and shift from heavy labor to desk work, I find myself getting fatter. 5'9, 225 pounds. (goal is 200 pounds, then when I reach that I will re-evaluate).

Along with changing my diet and portion sizes, I would like to add a good exercise.

I have a bad knee (which I'm thinking will improve after I lose weight), a bad shoulder from attempting snowboarding and other stupid moves (which is also missing one of my bicep muscles from a bad quad accident), and bad wrists from heavy labor (just had carpal tunnel release surgery on both). So I'm thinking cardio or low resistance.

I'd like to put a machine in my living room so I can utilize it when watching TV or bad weather. Ceilings are 7' 2".

Lifestyle? Married, four children, and I'm the only income. I do not want to go to a gym.

Recommendations?

Posted: 12/16/2018 4:20:55 PM EDT

[#1]

Dude. New to the forum?

You've been here since '07. You know the answer!

Posted: 12/16/2018 5:04:33 PM EDT

[#2]

Oops...new to this sub-forum! Editing OP.

Posted: 12/16/2018 5:36:34 PM EDT

[#3]

"Toning" is just a function of two things- losing fat and building muscle.

There are MANY ways to do this, but you'll find the most common recommendation here is going to be to get a squat rack and follow a novice lifting program + some cardio, maybe some HIIT. More muscle helps burn more fat. A machine in your living room may help, but it's more likely to just leave you frustrated and not meeting goals.

< father of 4, single income, 37 years old.

Posted: 12/16/2018 6:58:37 PM EDT

[#4]

Rowing machine is pretty low impact.

Weights are always an option provided you work around your injuries correctly.

Posted: 12/16/2018 8:45:30 PM EDT

[#5]

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Rowing machine is pretty low impact.

Weights are always an option provided you work around your injuries correctly.

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I'm a fan of rowers myself.

But the disadvantage of the rower, just like all other individual machines or workouts is that it gets boring just doing the same thing, and your body gets more efficient at it over time as well.

I'm still using a rower, but it's taken a back seat to resistance training, short sprints in the backyard and kettlebell swings.

Posted: 12/16/2018 10:05:31 PM EDT

[#6]

If you think you are going to lose weight by doing cardio you are going to have a bad time.

Diet is 99% of weight lose.

If you want to build muscles you have to lift weights.

If you want to get strong you need to lift heavy weights.

If you lift weights to infinity you are wasting your time.

Posted: 12/16/2018 11:46:00 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you think you are going to lose weight by doing cardio you are going to have a bad time.

Diet is 99% of weight lose.

If you want to build muscles you have to lift weights.

If you want to get strong you need to lift heavy weights.

If you lift weights to infinity you are wasting your time.

View Quote

Yup.

And if you want "tone" you need to lose fat and build muscle.

Posted: 12/18/2018 5:00:50 PM EDT

[#8]

Ok, so I’m starting by counting calories and sit ups.

I think i can fit a small weight system in my space.

So a rower or elliptical would be less efficient than weights? Arent my butt and leg muscles the biggest to work?

Posted: 12/18/2018 5:02:46 PM EDT

[#9]

What is HIIT?

Posted: 12/18/2018 5:03:19 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Ok, so I’m starting by counting calories and sit ups.

I think i can fit a small weight system in my space.

So a rower or elliptical would be less efficient than weights? Arent my butt and leg muscles the biggest to work?

View Quote

Personally I hate ellipticals. Rowers are great, but IMO your program should be built around lifting. Though I don't know what's wrong with your knee, so you'll have to take that into account.

A rower can be leaned up against the wall, so maybe you have room for a rower and a free standing squat rack.

ETA- it's not just about calories- make sure they are quality calories.

Posted: 12/18/2018 5:04:30 PM EDT

[#11]

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Quoted:
What is HIIT?

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High intensity interval training.

Think something like 30 seconds hard rowing sprint followed by 30 seconds of rest for 10 minutes or something like that. (can be done with just about any exercise). Burns more fat than long cardio sessions.

Posted: 12/18/2018 5:33:47 PM EDT

[#12]

I would start with a ketogenic or paleo type diet to lose the weight. Counting calories doesn’t help much if you’re eating garbage. A calorie is not a calorie. They have different effects on your body.

Everyone loses weight at first by counting calories and exercising. Then they’re starving all the time, fuck up their metabolism, and gain the weight back plus more. Your hormones make you fat.

Once you get things back under control, you can play with adding carbs to fit your goals or just because you like them. I feel so good on very low carbs that I doubt I’ll ever go back.

People keep asking me how I’ll survive the holidays. On Christmas, I’m gonna eat a giant piece of prime rib slathered in butter with some vegetables. And a glass of good Scotch. Sounds awful!

Posted: 12/18/2018 6:01:56 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
I would start with a ketogenic or paleo type diet to lose the weight. Counting calories doesn’t help much if you’re eating garbage. A calorie is not a calorie. They have different effects on your body.

Everyone loses weight at first by counting calories and exercising. Then they’re starving all the time, fuck up their metabolism, and gain the weight back plus more. Your hormones make you fat.

Once you get things back under control, you can play with adding carbs to fit your goals or just because you like them. I feel so good on very low carbs that I doubt I’ll ever go back.

People keep asking me how I’ll survive the holidays. On Christmas, I’m gonna eat a giant piece of prime rib slathered in butter with some vegetables. And a glass of good Scotch. Sounds awful!

View Quote

Winter is bulking season.

Posted: 12/18/2018 6:03:02 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Ok, so I’m starting by counting calories and sit ups.

I think i can fit a small weight system in my space.

So a rower or elliptical would be less efficient than weights? Arent my butt and leg muscles the biggest to work?

View Quote

If you have room those fold away rack systems seem to work ok. I installed one for a client. Seemed cool. I think Roland had one.

Posted: 12/18/2018 6:39:32 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

Winter is bulking season.

View Quote

Not for OP

Posted: 12/18/2018 6:50:37 PM EDT

[#16]

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Quoted:

Not for OP

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He does weigh almost as much as me and is 3 inches shorter and doesn't even lift.

Posted: 12/18/2018 6:51:49 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you have room those fold away rack systems seem to work ok. I installed one for a client. Seemed cool. I think Roland had one.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Ok, so I’m starting by counting calories and sit ups.

I think i can fit a small weight system in my space.

So a rower or elliptical would be less efficient than weights? Arent my butt and leg muscles the biggest to work?

If you have room those fold away rack systems seem to work ok. I installed one for a client. Seemed cool. I think Roland had one.

Yes I did, Rogue makes one and at least one other company too. It was great, and would be awesome for anyone with tight space.

Posted: 12/18/2018 7:08:49 PM EDT

[#18]

7’2” ceiling might limit his options for toning racks

Posted: 12/18/2018 7:13:57 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
7’2” ceiling might limit his options for toning racks

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I don't know what a toning rack is, but this squat rack would fit under his ceiling....

Posted: 12/18/2018 10:08:23 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
7’2” ceiling might limit his options for toning racks

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WTF is a toning rack

Attached File

Posted: 12/18/2018 10:34:55 PM EDT

[#21]

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WTF is a toning rackhttps://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/173565/images-6_jpg-777183.JPG

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Looks very similar to a curling rack.

Posted: 12/19/2018 1:02:52 AM EDT

[#22]

NOTHING is better for us older guys than the compound barbell movements that the others have referenced.

I know that might be difficult for you to do in your circumstances, but there is nothing more beneficial for you as you age.

Good luck.

Posted: 12/21/2018 5:00:25 PM EDT

[#23]

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Quoted:

He does weigh almost as much as me and is 3 inches shorter and doesn't even lift.

View Quote

I’ll take that as motivation.

Posted: 12/21/2018 5:04:20 PM EDT

[#24]

So who here doesn’t count calories anymore?

I started down the paleo Mediterranean path diet-wise on Monday.

I have resilved to allow myself a couple drinks of alcohol per week.

Still vacillating on equipment, seems like a lot of people think n the archives have done well witj Bowflex.

I bet i could find a deal on a old Nordictrack, and could also use it as a clothes hanger.

Posted: 12/21/2018 5:32:03 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
So who here doesn’t count calories anymore?

I started down the paleo Mediterranean path diet-wise on Monday.

I have resilved to allow myself a couple drinks of alcohol per week.

Still vacillating on equipment, seems like a lot of people think n the archives have done well witj Bowflex.

I bet i could find a deal on a old Nordictrack, and could also use it as a clothes hanger.

View Quote

I don't. I hate doing it. To maintain I just follow about an 80% paleo diet and often intermittent fast in the morning (fancy way of saying I don't eat until 12-2:00). If I need to trim weight I'll cut carbs or go keto.

If I fall off the wagon I don't do any of that then go back eventually

Posted: 12/21/2018 7:27:56 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
So who here doesn’t count calories anymore?

I started down the paleo Mediterranean path diet-wise on Monday.

I have resilved to allow myself a couple drinks of alcohol per week.

Still vacillating on equipment, seems like a lot of people think n the archives have done well witj Bowflex.

I bet i could find a deal on a old Nordictrack, and could also use it as a clothes hanger.

View Quote

I'm not counting but I've gained 10 lbs.

And a bunch of strength.

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