Is it ok to not have a consistent workout plan?

VintageFit

I used to try the standard approach of having a regular schedule of what to do on which days concerning my exercise (e.g. jogging on Mo/Wed/Fri, workout at home on Tue/Thurs and so on), but I always struggled with it.
Now I've started to just do 'something' every weekday, such as swimming, bycicling, jogging, workoutvideos, or even just yoga or going for a walk. It's easier for me to stick to if I can choose whatever I feel like on a certain day.
My question is, though, is this ok to do? Or will it have negative impact on my weightloss plans?

Ophidion

Well to a certain degree you plan has some consistency eg "Now I've started to just do 'something' every weekday" Now exercising everyday combined with a calorie deficit will definitely contribute to weight loss and better health.

It is all relative to your goals really, but it is best to do something that you will keep doing and I imagine as you start seeing and feeling positive results you will most probably start working on a consistent work out plan...most people do.

I would recommend some form of resistance training to maintain your LBM whilst losing weight.

Good luck.

sijomial

Positive - "it's easier for me to stick to".
Negative - unstructured approach might mean you miss out on something you should be doing to reach your goals (like strength training perhaps?).

I would imagine you would be better off following the MFP way of eating back exercise calories rather than estimate them upfront with the TDEE minus a percentage method if you are doing a freestyle approach to exercise.

Really the first line trumps everything else, you only get benefit from the exercise you actually do and if this means you enjoy it and keep on exercising then that's probably best for you.

Ophidion

Positive - "it's easier for me to stick to".
Negative - unstructured approach might mean you miss out on something you should be doing to reach your goals (like strength training perhaps?).

I would imagine you would be better off following the MFP way of eating back exercise calories rather than estimate them upfront with the TDEE minus a percentage method if you are doing a freestyle approach to exercise.

Really the first line trumps everything else, you only get benefit from the exercise you actually do and if this means you enjoy it and keep on exercising then that's probably best for you.

QFT^Um yeah he said it much more eloquently I just woke up...nicely put.

BrianSharpe

If you were training for a particular event a plan becomes more important; in terms of weight loss it's a matter of calories in vs calories out, what you eat is more important than which exercise you do.

If taking a more casual approach is more enjoyable for you then go for it. It may sound counter-intuitive but I think your approach actually takes more discipline than having a semi-formal plan and might not work for everyone.

VintageFit

Thanks for the replies!

As for the mention of strength training, I thought I alread had that (somewhat) covered with the workout videos because they're mainly made up of bodyweight exercises (such as crunches, sit-ups, squats etc.) and some that include small weights (mainly for the arms)

SOCOLOCO87

With the strengh trainging videos, I imagine you will be ok if it involves some kind of weights.