Help and advice needed for routine of beginner

[mikeoafc]

Hi, new to the forum so apologies for any idiocies.

Basically im looking to start going to the gym within the next week and need a set routine for my aim to lose weight from the beer belly and gain larger bi's, tri's, pec's and shoulders.

I'm a student so would be looking to go to the gym 3 times a week. My previous gym experience was unsuccessful, after losing motivation and having no routine whatsoever.

I feel much more confident on machines rather than free weights with the exception of dumbells, so would prefer to stick to them.

Im currently 19, 11st and not in the best shape. Before going to uni I had frequent exercize through football but since this stopped, I put on around 1 and a half stone, something which everyone had noticed.

My diet is mixed, going through fazes of trying to eat healthy but failing, but I now have the motivation given the right advice.

Looking for a routine, diet and just some simple advice for a beginner.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions of any supplements or products I can buy from the site?

Cheers in advance.

[dope540]

yo man.

post up your current diet and routine and we'll see if there are any tweaks that can be done. being a student doesn't mean it's going to be different in achieving your goals than other people.

for routines, the stronglifts 5x5 is a good, solid routine to start with.

[mikeoafc]

At the moment I don't have any gym or exercize routine.

My current diet would probably be:

Breakfast: Rarely, bad start I know
Lunch: Sandwich (ham/chicken) or a junk snack
Evening Meal: Varies from fresh chicken, pizza, pasta, rice dishes

A few snacks along the way.

As I said, slipped into a poor diet since uni, something I want to change.

Could you give me some advice on a 3 day gym plan?

[dope540]

you can go for a 3 day full body routine where you do a full body workout 3 times a week. or a push/ pull routine. some people put legs on their own day.

diet wise, you have already recognised the problems there.

good breakky is porridge and eggs or a whey shake. check out a few of the stickies in the beginner section as most common questions are anserwed in there.

[TRC]

Why not build your confidence with free weights by actually using them?

They're definately a key to good gains. You'll get stronger and bigger using free weights as your other muscles will be engaged to balance the free weights, where as machines balance it for you.

Diet is something that can take a little time to iron out so it's well worth taking the time to read more about healthy eating and food choices to suit your taste buds.