Very, Very New to this kinda thing!

[Bobby]

Hey! I foud this site while browsing on other forums. This is by far the coolest and most organized one. I'm 6,2 230 lbs I can do about 20-30 pushups but lose my will to live after that. I'm wondering how to calculate my BF %. I"m a Farm kid so I'm kinda used to rough work. Oh ya I'm 17 and can't run much more than 2 miles before I get Sick winded. I'm wondering what I should do to lose my "Insulation" I also need more flexibility.


Bobby

[jonp382]

Hello! A farm boy? I'm jealous...but anyways, you can run farther than me and probably many others here as well without getting sick winded. Unless you ment jogging, but w/e still.

What is your physical activity at your job and what do you typically eat in a week?

[plancheismine]

body fat is hard to calculate....I think, those BMI things on the internet don't work. Just eat healty and run a lot. :wink: and stretch.

Welcome

[Moonduck]

Here's a simple one. It uses the "YMCA Method", I think. It's not terribly accurate, and should be considered more of a guideline. The more accurate way would be testing it with an electrical device that measures resistance (fat resists differently from muscle), and even more accurate is the water weigh-in method. Good luck finding someone that can do that though.

http://www.am-i-fat.com/body_fat_percentage.html

[koltz]

Hmmmm... if your used to hard work but loosing your will to live after one set that's weird

nevertheless welcome aboard..... and please make a workout journal and youll soon be cranking the same numbers with a single arm :)

[Bobby]

I can do it again if I rest for a little while. I need at least a two minute recovery. I usually take five. I did Two miles and a bit last year non-stop full out. Stalled The Quad while Chasing Cows to the North pasture and had to do the rest on foot. Dad was pissed that day. Whats a good BF% and what should a kid like me aim for.

[Starclassic]

For males, 15%-19% body fat is considered pretty healthy. But it really wont matter unless you have access to a tenita machine or a under-water-weight tank. A caliper is a fairly accurate measurement but it takes some skill to use. My personal advice if you care to hear it is to not make goals. I know it sounds crazy but for me, if i'm not reaching that goal fast enough, I get discouraged and give up. Instead, I do all my workouts as hard as possible and go a little bit farther each time even if it might mean vomiting from pain or not being able to move for a good half hour. That's never happened but i think you get the idea.
What i would do if i was you is just get my bodyfat % checked on doctor visits just to keep in touch with it.

I noticed you mentioned you want to work on flexibility. Stretch after a warmup and after a workout. Thats the easy part. The other part is to focus on your breathing. That is one of the most important factors when it comes to flexibility. If you cant relax and breath normally, you cant flex well. That simple. Also keep you're stretching movements as compound as possible (stretches the most muscles at once i.e. the back bridge) that will cut down on stretching time.

If you're first workout is painfull as hell. Keep going until it's totally unbearable. The second workout will be just pure misery but you will eventually (hopefully quickly too) learn to actually like the pain (i'm talking burn here, not joint pain).

Most importantly. DO NOT EVER SAY TO YOURSELF THAT A WORKOUT IS HARD!!!!!!! Workouts just get more advanced NOT harder. That is the greatest mindset of all when it comes to fitness in my opinion.

If you can get ahold of The Ultimate Combat Conditioning for the Street Warrior by Sensei Mike Reeves cherish it. It's an absolutely wonderful reference for fitness.