Calories and exercise time

Good evening. I have a question, and apologize if it has been asked before or repeatedly. I have tried dieting, but I am not very good at exercise, mostly because...I don't know how. That seems silly, but I really don't know how. I've been big all my life and have always been sedentary. I want to make a change, but don't know how to approach this aspect.

Should I approach exercise from a time spent (30 minutes per day) or calories burned perspective? The reason I ask is that I have a Wii Fit that I have been using that calculates your weight and estimates calories burned per activity, but I don't think it is very accurate on the time spent on activities. Of course when I go out walking, then it is more accurate to go based on time rather than trying to calculate the calories I burn. In either event, what is a good "beginners" calories burned / time spent goal to aim for? I want something that is moderate in rigor, but not something that is unrealistic. I feel silly for even having to ask, but knowledge is power and if anyone would know it's you guys.

Thanks!

-Brandy

Replies

  • HawkeyeTy
    HawkeyeTy Posts: 681 Member
    http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/


    TDEE-20%

    Then you don't have to worry about it.
  • bhoelscher
    bhoelscher Posts: 21 Member
    Oh thats handy! Thank you!
  • Boogage
    Boogage Posts: 739 Member
    Well they say we should all get 30 minutes exercise a day so I would start with minutes. Just getting some more activity into your day will help and you can progress on from there. It could just be a brisk walk in your lunch break to start and taking the stairs rather than the lift. When you start to feel a bit fitter and more motivated you might want to try some exercise videos or swimming is easy on the joints.