AboutJoe Gunn Expertise Anything related to strength training, long distance running, speed development for all sports, and weight loss issues.
Experience Over 30 years as a personal trainer of athletes as well as average individuals.
Organizations Certified strength and Conditioning Specialist with the the National Strength and Conditiong Association. Certified Club coach with the United States Weightlifting Association. Certifed Level II long distance coach with the USA Track & Field.
Education/Credentials M.S with majors in exercise science and psychology
Expert: Joe Gunn Date: 11/17/2007 Subject: Alcohol, pot belly & being in shape
Question
I'm a 6 feet tall male, weighing 96 kgs(overweight). I have stubborn pot belly which I want flattened. I don't look particularly fat otherwise. I also want little more wider shoulders with little more bulky arms, along with that flat stomach.
Regarding my diet, I eat little(juice for breakfast with a banana, some rice with mashed potato for lunch, and something light for dinner)However I'm an alcoholic requiring 3-4 drinks of rum daily with my dinner.
My question to you is-
1)Will I have to stop drinking completely? Is it not possible to get a flat stomach and great shape by doing ab/weight & aerobic exercises along with diet control WITHOUT QUITTING ALCOHOL?
2)I do not have the money to go to the gym and in my part of the world, not everyone can afford it (it's expensive). But I do have light weights at home? Shall I start? Bench press? How much? how much cardio and ab exercises? What kind of ab exercises? Kindly outline some simple/starting exercises that I may start at home.
A detailed reply would be highly appreciated.
Answer Hey RJ, losing your gut is all about calories in versus calories out. Alcohol is just additional calories and if you take in more than you use up, you gain weight. So, you do not have to quit. You dont have to go to a gym to workout if you are motivated. Start with 2-3 sets of pushups, lunges, curls, bench press, military press, squats, bent rows calf raises, bent-knee setups. Try to use a weight you can do about 12-15 reps with 2 min rest between sets except for setups where you should do higher reps. Do this 3 days a week to start (MWF). More importantly you should do some type of aerobic exercise 4-5 days a week for 30-40 minutes. Jogging, biking, fast walking, etc. Start with 10-15 minutes and work your way up. Be sure to check with your doc before starting any type of regorous exercise plan...good luck
