Ok now that I've started where do I start?

BeckyWTGH407

I'm tracking food now. There are so many that say exercise 60 minutes, only do strength training, only do cardio. Don't start exercising yet. What is the right answer? Is it worth it to hire a coach?

kommodevaran

It depends on what you want to achieve. If you want weightloss, eat less than you burn. If you want to be more fit, move more. If you want to practice a new sport, consider getting a coach or joining a team.

lazynwild

Do what your body loves

amtyrell

Great progress. Food intake is 90 percent of the battle.
Exercise is great. Different goals can result in different plans. So do you have a goal?
No clear goal then I would try to add in 30 min 3 days a week and have one of those 30 min a week be trying a new form of movement, run, walk, hike ,swim ,sail,yoga whatever until you find something you enjoy.

sijomial

Most would probably say your overall exercise routine should contain a mixture of both cardio and strength training in a personal blend that suits your particular goals and enjoyment.

Hard to understand why anyone would say "don't start exercising yet".

Hire what kind of coach for what purpose? The question is too generic without knowing your goals and specific reason why you would benefit from one.

cmriverside

I think if you start listening to the average Joe/Jane out on the street they will be more than happy to give you "advice" on everything from exercise to investments strategies.

My suggestion? Do what you love, have a bit of discipline about it: prosper.

concordancia

The single most important thing for overall health is consistency. Develop a diet you can stick to and choose a way to move your body that you can look forward to.

Ideally, that diet will include lots of veggies, plenty of protein and healthy fats. In a perfect world, the exercise will include strength, cardio and flexibility.

But we don't live in a perfect world, we just need to do our best and make improvements here and there.

BeckyWTGH407

My ulitmate goal is to lose 40 pounds. IDK if a fitness coach would help. I just have no idea where to start. There is so much online.

funjen1972

BeckyWTGH407 wrote: »

My ulitmate goal is to lose 40 pounds. IDK if a fitness coach would help. I just have no idea where to start. There is so much online.

My thoughts are keep it simple to start. You're already logging, so maybe add in a walk (or bike ride, or swim) a few times a week and some simple toning exercises. Where you begin depends on your current fitness level. Maybe it's a slow stroll around the block and 5 wall push-ups or a 5 mile speed walk with 3 sets of various planks.

You don't *need* to do anything, but extra activity will help your body look better, not just change the number on the scale.

Best of luck!

kommodevaran

BeckyWTGH407 wrote: »

My ulitmate goal is to lose 40 pounds. IDK if a fitness coach would help. I just have no idea where to start. There is so much online.

Are you still confused?

gamerbabe14

BeckyWTGH407 wrote: »

My ulitmate goal is to lose 40 pounds. IDK if a fitness coach would help. I just have no idea where to start. There is so much online.

Losing 40lbs of fat doesn't require exercise. Only a calorie deficit. A fitness coach can help you with fitness and nutrition but losing fat all comes down to calories.

sijomial

BeckyWTGH407 wrote: »

My ulitmate goal is to lose 40 pounds. IDK if a fitness coach would help. I just have no idea where to start. There is so much online.

No - a fitness coach would help you with your fitness not your diet. Save your money for some new and smaller clothes.

Just make a start by logging your food and exercise as best you can, choose a sustainable calorie deficit and try not to make the process any harder than it needs to be.

WinoGelato

Have you read the stickied most helpful forum posts at the top of the getting started section? They are a wealth of info about how to use this site to achieve your goals and in each section there are helpful threads about logging food, setting achievable goals, fitness, etc.

My standard advice:
1. Enter your stats, goal weight, activity level and appropriate rate of loss (for 40 lbs that’s 1 lb/week) into MFP.
2. MFP will provide you a calorie target which is a NEAT goal, meaning exercise is not included and you can achieve your goals if you eat that calorie target even with no exercise at all (more on this in a bit).
3. Eat a variety of foods to achieve that calorie goal (aim to hit it not be drastically under it) focusing on those that provide nutrition (macros and micros), satiety (fills you up eating at a deficit) and enjoyment (keeps you on track to eat foods you love).
4. Log everything you eat as accurately and honestly as possible, ideally using a food scale.
5. Exercise if you enjoy it, and this can be whatever you like - walking, running, cardio machines, light weights, heavy weights - or a mix of the above for optimal balance.
6. When you exercise, log and eat back at least some of those calories to keep your Net calorie intake around what MFP suggested (see above).
7. Be patient, monitor and adjust after several weeks so that you account for natural weight fluctuations.

Good luck.