RichardPON

Okay, here's the thing.

Up until a couple of years ago, I used to be in great shape. Was playing football a couple of times a week, at the gym three times a week, swimming, and rowing on the Thames at Putney etc...... and was very happy with my shape/size and general level of fitness.

Thanks to the past couple of years, which included giving up smoking, being off work for a few months, illness, and general laziness/I don't give a fuckness, I've lost most of my fitness. Playing football last week, and not only do I have what would seem to be the lung capacity of a two year old, but also the stamina of one too!

As far as fitness goes, I've always had issues with long distance running. I used to be quick over a sprint, but give me a distance and I flag really quickly.

Doing weights and gaining muscle is fine, but that can come later. I want to get my fitness back and lose the weight I've inevitably gained, but I want to get some noticeable change within three months.

Swimming is out for a while, so it's just the gym with running, cycling, and rowing......

Anyone got any suggestions for a nice routine during the week, taking into account how easily I flag on distance running...... and yes, I know that's the best way to burn etc..

When I do go for the weights, which way round do you do it? Cardio before or after?

A little bit of advice/help/recommendations would help....

Robin

what do u consider as long distance fella?? I know a 2.5 mile ish route that will sort you out in no time and should only take 15-20 mins depending on how many times you stop along the way.

Matt

mr nathan that sounds jolly spiffing what what what

i go for weights first then cardio after, i dont know if this is right like, i do it this way because im proper soaking wet after 30 mins/5k on the treadmill lol plus i usually run until i can run no more which means all i want to do is get in the pool/sauna/steam room/jacuzzi it doesnt seem to make much difference to how far/fast i can run if i do weights before or dont bother at all.

what are you like on the bikes? sounds gay but a 3/4 hour spinning class is a good alternative to long distance running imo. worth a look at if your gym does them.

you thought about other types of training? ive never seen my fitness and flexibility shift so much in the first 6 months like it did when i started thai boxing 3 times a week. seems to have reached a bit of a plateau now but given i was "rather" unhealthy to start with it was relatively easy to fitten up in the initial period still happy with progression though and still loving the training/sparring

RichardPON

Robin - long distance for me is anything over a 1/4 bloody mile!

Matt - what can I tell ya

The bikes sounds like a great shout. Thai boxing my brother used to do a lot, so I know how ridiculously fitness intensive that is.

The results been good for you?

Matt

results good yeah not in a girly lose stack of weight kind of way but thats not what you, or i for that matter, are after. im losing flab put bulking up also, 14st 7, 6ft 1" 35/36" waist
my fitness, stamina and motivation have all really shot through the roof from what they were (nowt ) to what they are now - this was my aim.
my legs are turning into tree trunks both calf and thigh lol my shoulders and arms are noticably getting there
my shins are slowly getting conditioned not to make me whince when blocking kicks (still fucking proper kills even with pads) lol
you go black and blue many times a month - today ive got purple forearms and skinless elbows, and a bruise that covers my whole right bicep lol
i pissed the first grading back end of last year, got another one coming up end of next month which i'm VERY confident about
above all i fucking love learning this stuff and above all the sparring. its very addictive

ive also ditched the ornament car onto the drive then carpeted the garage out and put up a 5ft punch bag from the rafters that i use regular

mentally and physically i'm not the man you have ever met before rich lol