Starting an Exercise Plan for the First Time, Really In Need of Some Help

GottaGetThisRight

I'd like to do a combination of walking my dog and zumba each day. I was thinking half an hour walk with the dog and half an hour of zumba.

However, I have found lots of articles online with conflicting messages. Some say that an hour of cardio a day is great, others says it's terrible for you. What do you guys think? What has worked for you?

Would it be better to do an hour of cardio 3 days a week instead? What about getting that 30 min walk in with my dog each day and only on 3 days a week adding the zumba?

rick_po

I doubt anyone really believes 90 minutes of cardio is bad for you. Especially if it's low intensity, like easy walking. Do as much Zumba and dog walking as you can stand to do. Your heart will love you for it.

Low intensity cardio is not the most efficient way to achieve most fitness goals, however.

In the most general terms, you can best improve your fitness with a combination of cardio and strength training. If you are trying to lose weight, diet and cardio will help you lose weight; strength training will make sure most of the weight loss comes from losing fat, not precious muscle.

A beginner strength program is typically 3 days a week. Check out Stronglifts 5x5, Starting Strength, New Rules of Lifting, Strong Curves, or the all-pro beginner programs.