Opinions wanted - NEWB

o0oAVAo0o

I am not active at all and only about 10 lbs overweight
In your opinion would a good start be:
Daily:
20 minutes of cardio on my bike (light effort minimum)
20 situps and pushups

I want to keep it simple and avoid injury or burnout

My calories goals are 1200 as specified by MFP
Unsure if I should eat back any cardio calories because of the lower 1200

spiriteagle99

20 minutes on the bike won't burn enough calories to make it worth eating them back: only 100-150 or so. I would vary the calisthenics to keep from getting bored and to use more different muscles.

o0oAVAo0o

amyrebeccah wrote: »

spiriteagle99 wrote: »

20 minutes on the bike won't burn enough calories to make it worth eating them back: only 100-150 or so. I would vary the calisthenics to keep from getting bored and to use more different muscles.

If you're only eating 1200, 100 can feel like quite a lot. Yes, OP, you should eat your exercise calories back and consider lowering your loss goal to .5 pounds per week, which should yield a higher daily calorie goal.

Perhaps I will. I am not really in a rush to lose or anything. I can eat up to 1600 for my final desired weight without exercise so, I assume it will eventually all come off.

o0oAVAo0o

spiriteagle99 wrote: »

20 minutes on the bike won't burn enough calories to make it worth eating them back: only 100-150 or so. I would vary the calisthenics to keep from getting bored and to use more different muscles.

I won't get bored as my goal is to be minimalistic and efficient. Any simple suggestions of things to try?

lorrpb

Agree that with only 10 lbs to lose, you should set your goal to .5 per week. Your exercise program will help with fitness. Get a food scale, weigh & log all food.

o0oAVAo0o

lorrpb wrote: »

Agree that with only 10 lbs to lose, you should set your goal to .5 per week. Your exercise program will help with fitness. Get a food scale, weigh & log all food.

Well I do plan on lose a few more than the overweight 10lbs. I was just going by medical standards to give an idea of where I am coming from weight wise. My goal is to lose 30 in total at the end of it all.
I already have a food scale. I gained when I ate everything after quitting smoking a year ago.

MelissaPhippsFeagins

If 1600 is maintenance at your desired weight, then split the difference and eat 1400 plus 1/2 of your exercise calories. You will get there eventually.
I would ride for 30 minutes, but that's just me. I rode to work and that's an hour. (it's downhill to work, and I get my real exercise going home.)

o0oAVAo0o

MelissaPhippsFeagins wrote: »

If 1600 is maintenance at your desired weight, then split the difference and eat 1400 plus 1/2 of your exercise calories. You will get there eventually.
I would ride for 30 minutes, but that's just me. I rode to work and that's an hour. (it's downhill to work, and I get my real exercise going home.)

From what I have read for people just starting out: (was googling after posting this)
30 minutes is good for people under 55
15-20 minutes is good for people over 55

Eventually I do want to get back up to an hour a day if my knee permits

dustbringer

o0oAVAo0o wrote: »

I gained when I ate everything after quitting smoking a year ago.

Congratulations on quitting smoking!