How much exercise do you need?

...to lose weight?

I started working out again last week and am trying to get 15 miles a week done..a combo of fast power walking and running.

Is this along with healthy eating enough or should I be lifting light weights also?

Thanks

Re: How much exercise do you need?

I do an hour of cardio a day

which means nothing if I don't watch what I eat

I just saw a good quote- losing weight is 30% excercise and 70% diet

Re: How much exercise do you need?

I am finally seeing results and that's cause I upped my exercise routine. I have always watched what I ate for the most part, but now that I run and do weights I am seeing the scale move. So for me exercise is an important part of keeping my weight down.

Re: How much exercise do you need?

Wow Beth - an hour each day!!! good for you..I wish I had the time...I try so hard to squeeze in 30 mins so thats probably as much as I can do.

I was also wondering if anyone knows if riding a bike is equal to or better than walking / running? I mean better as in burning calories and I mean bike riding as in on the road and not in the gym.

Thanks

Re: How much exercise do you need?

i only bike ride, i cant for the life of me run! you dont burn as much bc there is less resistance, but it still does a good amount. i do the jones beach path every morning from my house and back. its 10 miles all together and i believe its between 500 and 600 calories i burn.

Re: How much exercise do you need?

Danielle - 10 miles per day is v. impressive. have you lost weight riding your bike or do you just do it for fitness?

Re: How much exercise do you need?

Its not a matter of how much time or miles...

Its simple science.. you need to burn more calories then you consume... period.. there is no strange math or formula out there..

If i ate nothing but lettuce all day.. i could walk to the car and back and be fine..

if i ate McDonalds all day.. i would have to run 100 miles...

Lifting weights will def help.. it will tone your muscles as well as raise your heart rate, so i vote yes for lifting. Just do it smart. 1 rep in correct form is better then 10 reps incorrectly.

Message edited 5/31/2012 4:26:21 PM.

Re: How much exercise do you need?

Thanks Andrew...I guess I am looking for the magic formula

When I work out I do work out...i am not idling on the treadmill etc I am going at it with all that I have but I do only have 30 minutes so I want to make sure I am using my time effectively.

I am a pretty healthy eater. I was unable to exercise for over a year due to a broken bone issue so I have a lot of catching up to do.

Re: How much exercise do you need?

weight loss is 90% diet so you could lose with no exercise!

Re: How much exercise do you need?

Building muscle will help you burn more calories when you are not active. Doing a combination of both cardio and resistance training is ideal.

Re: How much exercise do you need?

Google HIIT workouts. You burn more fat that way in less time then keeping a steady pace.

Re: How much exercise do you need?

I think in my mind running and biking are equal in terms of burn, but the biking needs to be like a spinning class or something of a similar intensity.

If it helps, I workout about 4 times a week. I go to Zumba 2X a week, I do a toning class once a week and I try to run one or two other days. When I run, I usually do the same run-run 1 mi, walk .25, run .75mi, walk .25, run .5 mi, walk .25, run .25, walk .25. It adds up to 3.5 miles and burns about 400 calories. It takes me like 40-45 minutes since I have asthma and am super slow.

I eat about 1400 calories a day and I lost 20 lbs this year.

Re: How much exercise do you need?

As PP stated, diet has a big impact on your weight loss, but exercise is also important and allows you to "cheat" every once in a while. It also keeps your heart strong.

I run 6 days a week. Time depends upon what workout i am actually doing, but it can be anywhere from 60-90 minutes. I run a lot because I am usually training for a race.