The lower stomach is the first area where the body will store fat (in men) and the last place it will go from. This is why you may find you're losing weight in other areas first. Infact the body sometimes cannibalises muscle and preserves fat so you will lose muscle mass before the annoying bit of flab around the waist. Consistency is the key and think of your regime on a long term basis months and months and not weeks. Change will be slow to happen but if you're consistent it will happen. Don't become too strict with your diet in terms of variety. You'll find irresistible cravings for some foods (sugary and greasy ones). Eat a low fat, low carb and medium protein diet. If you really want a six pack then prepare to work very hard for it.:thumb:

That's not a very healthy way to weight loss. Most lads are working and you can't work on six hundred calories a day. Losing a pound a day is a little extreme:D The other downside is a crash diet is not something you can maintain on a long term basis, but fair play to you it's no mean feat.

I think that you really have taken on too much to start with,and it would be a good idea to alternate your running days from weight days.To start with you will feel a bit saw,but if you are getting to the stage where you start to feel pain or are just feeling absolutely knackered,then stop and cut down.As for drinking muscle is three quarters water,so loss of fluid intake or not enough fluid intake will affect performance,you'll lift less weights,fatigue more quickly,and take longer to recover.Don't wait until you feel thirsty before you decide to drink,By then your already dehydrated.Drink a couple of glasses of water when you get up in the morning and before you go to bed also.Best thing you can do really is to get on a program and work through it Gradually building yourself up,theres many workout program's you can get from the net or fitness books from the shops..I do a 12 week period and then rest for a week,4 or 6 weeks to start with..also mens health magazine give alot of good tips on dieting and workouts etc..

Men's Health Magazine - United Kingdom

I got a Reebok one it was about £400 but does the job. My sister bought a very good one second hand very cheap. People buy them don't use them and then want rid of them because they need the space. She got the yellow paper and went round and saw a few then put in silly offers and left her phone number.

Remember that your weight loss may slow but you'll be losing fat and in place gaining muscle ie your legs now which will mean you may have a week of no loss in weight but look better than the week before.

I wouldn't focus too much on actual weight loss, getting fit and reducing body fat is all you need to focus on. By exercising regularly and having a calorie deficit you will achieve both iof the above.

Sod the advice about 600 cals per day and no carbs, that's nuts. I thoroughly believe people generally eat too many carbs (especially later in the day) and not enough protein and veg/fruit. So by reducing carbs (and eating them primarily at breakfast and lunch) and more protein in your diet will help loads; combined with your cardio work.

So don't get too hung up on weight loss, especially early on.

Are you stretching enough ? You don't want to get injured. I didn't stretch enough and was always getting all sorts of injuiries when I started to get fit.

Also you mention you have some weight in the garage, my advice would be to use them, they are a fantastic way to burn fat, and the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolic rate becomes, therefore the more calories you burn naturally. Plus all the benefits coming from looking better and having more confidence etc.

My routine is cardio Mon, Weds, Fri, and weights Tues, Thurs, and Sat. That way each routine gets 48 hours rest.

If you do start doing more weights, then your protein levels will need to increase dramatically to get the full benefit, which isn't a bad thing.

Sean

Thanks once again, the carbs are probably what are stopping me losing weight then as although i've cut right down on the sugar and fat i'm still having potatoes, veg and bread etc as well as a cereal in the morning. I have predominantly chicken or fish at dinner time but not really any other protein rich foods, hate eggs and have cut out cheese due to the fat content.

Carbs are obviously important, but just reduce the quantities, and especially in the evening. Eat oats in the morning and they will keep you going for hours. I'll essentialyl eat less carbs as the day goes on, but still eat some otherwise you'll have no energy.

There's loads to learn about good nutrition, so start reading i'd say, i've learnt loads from books/forums etc.

A good forum is muscletalk.co.uk, there's a diet and nutrition subforum, as wel las cardio one, and there are very good articles on there also.