firehorse

Exercise and a balanced diet are the way to go. You can do the one or the other, but you're progress will be slower. We are all different. what works for one may not work for another. This is true of type of exercise and diet. One thing is true for all of us though. Body fat does not turn into muscle and vice versa. This is metabolicly impossible.

For all of you who are just starting, don't do anything that radicaly changes you're diet without first consulting a doctor or qualified dietition. Take it slow and build up as you go. If at first it seems like nothing is happening, don't give up. Keep away from the scales, they're not an intelligent life form. If you want to know how you're going, look in the mirror. If you're still not sure, pay a visit to someone you haven't seen for a while.

My mum suffered with Rhumatiod Arthritis, so I have some idea of the problems it gives you.

You don't say much about youself though. It would help to know a little more if you care to talk about it.

Things like your age, current diet and weight and so on. How often you exercise and for how long before it gets too uncomfortable. There has to be a way without you having to starve yourself.

I know about the lack of a kitchen. If youv'e gotta sink and a small work surface, about three ft. pop down to Tesco or someplace like that, get yourself one of those portable gas stoves, the ones that take the small gas cartridge. They only cost about 600 baht. 100 baht for 3 gas cartridges. Then splash out on a good teflon frying pan, one which is quite deep. you'll be able to cook most things in it. Check the internet for low carb recipies and away you go. It's great to have an omelette that hasn't been deep fried. The pan quality is important, you'll use a lot less oil when cooking.

Hi. Hy name's firehorse,

I'm not fat. I'm not a personal trainer, nor a dietition. I do have twenty years of training experience. I've trained with power lifters and body builders. No I'm not The Hulk either.

Why am I here? To help if I can. I know it's easy to get into bad habits here, so for those starting on the road to change, don't deprive yourself of to much to soon. Exercise is the key though.

Best of luck.

Some very good advise so far.

If you're worried about the expense of a gym, see if there's a S.A.T fitness centre near you.

That's The Sports Authority of Thailand ones. There not expensive, about 1000 baht per month. The one I train at in Bangkok is quite big and very clean. It's even got a sauna and you get free towels too.

There's various machines you can use to train your legs without stressing your knee. I've found that leg extentions are out though. whenever I do them I get probs with my right knee, which I damaged playing American Football 20 years ago. The jogging machines might be a good idea for power walking. They're slightly sprung, so that should take some impact off your Knees.

You don't have to get up at six a.m. Maybe try getting an hour or two earlier and see if you can find ways to manage the time you have better.

Good luck.

Keep up the good work. Forget the scales. How you look and feel are more important. Also scales can give you the wrong impression, especially at first. If you're weight training then you will gain some muscle mass. As muscle is denser than body fat, it weighs more. So when you get on the scales, it may seem that you haven't lost any weight or you've even gained some.

Keep you're training simple with basic movements. Try to use free weights a often in your routine as you can. Free weights develop the muscles used for balance, thus giving you a better physique.

I don't know your weight ,age, and so on. I'm not trying to give you body building advice either. Good foundations are good foundations.

Any way, to all those in this forum, keep it up and good luck.

P.s Steven, sorry about the other post.

This is to Ijustwannateach,

Please don't close a subject without letting people defend themselves.

Yes, we all know langauge evolves, but don't you think that you should at least teach the correct form first. After that we can explain the natrural native way.

Most native speakers won't say "There are some more cups in the kitchen." It's more likely they'll say "There's some more cups in the kitchen." That's not really correct though, is it?

If you saw that in a text book you'd soon be up in arms. Remember we're native speakers! I might say"It's april the 15th." as a reply to a question, but never as a statement.

To SonnyJ,

Yes, you were quite correct. A lack of the preposition "on", before the date.

My birthday is on April the 15th, is correct.

My birthday is on the 15th of April, is correct.

Sorry! It wasn't a riddle. This is in a text book written by "qualified" people.

My opinion doesn't matter on this and neither does anyone elses.

Fact: He broke the law.

Fact: So did the school which presented the false documents.

Fact: He hasn't done anything about it.

Fact: He's probably to scared to.

Fact: With a possible 9 years in the Bangkok Hilton so would any of you.

Fact: He's commited a crime (misdemeanor)

Fact: No one has been hurt.

Fact: There's a huge shortage of teachers in Thailand, especially good ones.

Fact: He's a very good teacher, the best I've seen here.

Fact: His students miss him.

Fact:" My birthday is April 15th." is bad English. That's written in a very well known English language text book, by people who have degrees I should imagine.

"Experience maketh the man."