Disappointed.... What's new?

 I don't know if I am angry,  Confused, or  maybe I am happy...  I went to my primary care physican on friday due to belly button issues.. (no biggie)...but I told him about going to the gym...and he was thrilled.  My primary doctor is also a gym rat...  Well, I told him that I did 20 min. of cardio every other day...and after doing the cardio...I do a "full-body" circuit...plus about 100 crunches.  On the other days in between, I do 30 minutes cardio then about 100 crunches and then another 10 minutes or so of cardio.  I have really enjoyed it... (not really)... but I am getting used to it...try to increase here and there..etc..  HOWEVER...my primary doctor...said... "That is nice...but, this is what you are to start doing..."  He wants me to do the body for life... One day upper body, one day lower body, one day this, one day that...  I know that he knows what he is talking about...but I am soooooooooo confused..protein before working out..no carb... carbs before (an hour) protein afterwards...   I have totally lost my interest or desire due to the lack of information, the confusion I feel...and the fact that again...based on this surgery...  I have done the right thing..the wrong way...  I won the race, but I did it on the wrong track..  POOR ME!!!  POOR ME!!! POOR ME!!!!  I need one of you gym gods...to come to md..and train me for a week or two to get me on track....

Well your doctor is probably right if you have all the time in the world and don't mind spending it in a gym..  It would be great if you could do all of that but if you are content with what you are doing, it seems like a good program to me.  As long as you are not stressing your muscles too much it seems fine.   Most people don't do any one muscle more than twice a week but when they do train them they go at it pretty hard.  I will try to hit every body part every 5 days and when I do it is usually about 4-6 sets of 8-12 reps per muscle group.  For a serious lifter, that is nothing.  My goal is to stay toned and look okay.   Serious lifters will usually do 3 or 4 exercises per muscle at 3-4 sets with varying reps that is 9 to 16 sets per muscle group.  This keeps them in the gym for a long time.  When I go, it's a half hour of cardio and a half our for two muscle groups.  For example, on one day I will go and do about 5 minutes of stretching followed by 30 minutes on a treadmill.  After that I might do some bicep curls and some cable curls.  I will usually do 3 sets of each or less if I am pressed for time.  Then I will do some tricep cable extensions for three sets and some skull crushers for three sets.  I will do 8 reps per set.  This takes about 20 minutes if I hustle and I have some time for some core strengthening before I have to pick up my kid.   If you are happy with your results than stick with it.  My two words of advice would be to make sure you are not over training your muscles by working them out every other day and maybe increase the frequency or duration of the cardio.  Keep up the good work Scott

Daniel, I’m Clearly Not a Gym-Type!  But, It sounds like your doc is suggesting you get the necessary rest between working different muscle groups to give them the ‘re-growth-re-build’ time between workouts. Yes? I’m sure that several of the guys here will have specifics. Great to hear you are headed toward "Underwear-Model Status" there!! Keep working the gym! But work it the right way for the max results! No need to spend the time and energy and not get the full rewards. Best Wishes- Dx

Daniel,

you doc wants you to do a split routine. there's a hundred ways to accomplish this. the basics are you split your body parts up over the week. this way, you build in recovery time. some do a push pull split, others do the upper, lower split and some just experiment with what works best. i did the push pull for years but just changed my routine. i work out 5 to 6 days a week and here's my split. chest/back.......bi and tri's......shoulders/legs. that's it, simple. abs everyday and cardio when i feel like it.

a push pull routine would be chest, shoulders and tri's on day and then back, bi's for pull the next. i would throw in legs on the pull days. however, that's a tough split to do so i like my new routine better. i do 3 sets of four exercises in the 10 rep range and i superset each exercise. this is an advanced work out so don't copy what i do but i wanted to give you an idea of how it can work. just remember, you get all your gains when you're not lifting. try to keep your workouts about 45 minutes to an hour tops. drink your protien after your workouts and i think you'll do fine. let us know how it works out..........Carbonblob

Take a step back, and breathe.  Then, smile and nod in the direction of your doctor.  The problem with most gym rats (and me included) is that we all know -best-.  Our way is -the- right way.. and no other way will get you the results for your goals..  Obviously we're all full of sh*t :)  Here's my 5 step process for getting in the gym: Step 1:  Read.  Go to www.bodybuilding.com or www.getbig.com or one of those..and start reading articles.  Educate yourself.  Step 2: Read the books out there. Body For life is good, but so is Starting Strength (by Ripptoe) and Tom Venuto's, Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle.  Step 3: Go to the gym and have fun with it. By hitting the gym, you already will do more then the average person.  Also, as a fairly new guy in the gym, everything you do will gain you results.  No need to worry about recovery cycling, or spilts, or anything until you've been at it for two or so years non-stop.  Step 4: Always have a protein shake when you are done working out, followed by some sort of simple carb within 30 minutes (an apple is good here..and so is a slice of bread) Step 5: If you cannot do step 4...don't sweat it.  My starter routine..ie.  The one I would do if I could be a total beginner all over again..  Day 1:  Squat  3 sets of 10 Bent over Row: 3 sets of 10 Deadlift: 3 sets of 10 Chin ups  10 30 min cardio Day 2:  45 minutes cardio.  Day 3:  45 minutes cardio Day 4:  Squat: 3 sets of 10 Bench Press 3 sets of 10 Deadlift: 3 sets of 10 Chin ups: 10 30 minutes cardio Day 5: 45 minutes cardio Day 6 and 7: Off.  Repeat for 8 weeks.  Every week, either add 1 rep to each set (to a max of 12), or add 5lbs to the bar for each excersise.  Add 1 chinup every week.. do or die :)   Cardio should be easy to start. Walking at a pace of 3.5 or so and no incline..or the eliptical with a pace of 120 strides for as long as you can. 

I am also confused at the Gym . I go every other day and do 30 minutes cardio followed by 30 min lifting wieghts . Is it bad to lift every other day ? I like the way I feel lifting after cardio so I want to keep at it if it isnot going to hurt me.

Thanks so much for the replies...  I just wish I knew what I was doing.  I hate not knowing..and feeling confused....  I just want some somewhat thin guy who isn't too bulky to take me under his wing..and say.........  Daniel, I am going to be your personal trainer for the next two weeks.  Unfortunately, the trainer for my gym was just called to active duty in Iraq...so still no trainer... THANKS..however for the continued information...

Nothing you do in the beginning is ever bad.  Just going is better then most folks do.  Every other day is about right for general fitness. Listen to your body, believe me.. it will tell you if what you are doing is 'not good'.  Aside from that..read and then read...and then read some more.  The info is all out there :)