Q: I need to lose about 50 pounds. I want to start exercising, but I just don’t know what kind of schedule to follow. My friend says I should work out 40 minutes daily or it doesn’t count. So how much should I exercise? - Couch Potato in Virginia
A: Well, it depends on who you ask: The Institute of Medicine released a report in 2003 telling us to exercise a full hour each day is what it takes to manage our weight; for years we heard we needed 30 minutes day for four or five days per week; and of course, the Surgeon General’s advice from a few years back that a half hour each day would do the trick?
Brother, Can You Spare an Hour?
My advice? Do what you can to start with and when you can do more, stick with it. One of the most sure-fire ways to give up on an exercise program is to make it so inconvenient that it’s downright unachievable. Not many of us can devote a full hour every single day to exercising. It’s just not practical.
The Middle of the Road
The experts at the American College of Sports Medicine have stood by their suggestion for years: 30 minutes of moderate activity most (not all) days of the week.
Why does this work? It’s just enough exercise to help you maintain a healthy weight and still have some days to rest and recuperate. The worst thing you can do when starting out to exercise is to get burned out. Committing to a lengthy workout every day without any time off is an easy way for this to happen.
