Best exercise to start with?

knrthomas
knrthomas Posts: 4 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Not been doing enough exercise for a year or so since starting uni...

is walking best to start with or should i maybe start getting straight in to running. I have about 5 stone to lose to get to my ultimate goal.

Ideas would be appreciated

Replies

  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    edited April 2017
    Just use the search function for the site on "best exercise" and you will find literally a thousand threads with this exact question :).
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    1st off, exercise isn't required for weight loss - you just need a calorific deficit.

    But, many people find that exercise is helpful in creating that deficit, helps maintain muscle when dieting, or is simply something that they enjoy (or all three).

    On that basis, any exercise that you enjoy is usually the best start. If you enjoy walking, go for it. Similar for running, but in that instance it would be sensible to work up your distance using an established program (such as C25K).
  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    Walking is usually recommended because it's a good calorie burning workout, it requires no special training or equipment, and it is typically not hard to find a place to walk.

    Running requires running shoes (not cheap Walmart ones), is harder on joints and muscles, and is more challenging generally. Not that you can't start out running, though.

    That being said, what else?

    I suggest thinking about what you enjoyed doing as a kid...on the playground, with your friends, with your family, at summer camp...whatever. There's usually something you enjoyed then you may now.
  • amtyrell
    amtyrell Posts: 1,447 Member
    1. Weight comes off due to calorie deficit thus diet matters more then exercise
    2. Best exercise is the one you think is fun
  • knrthomas
    knrthomas Posts: 4 Member
    kenyonhaff wrote: »
    Walking is usually recommended because it's a good calorie burning workout, it requires no special training or equipment, and it is typically not hard to find a place to walk.

    Running requires running shoes (not cheap Walmart ones), is harder on joints and muscles, and is more challenging generally. Not that you can't start out running, though.

    That being said, what else?

    I suggest thinking about what you enjoyed doing as a kid...on the playground, with your friends, with your family, at summer camp...whatever. There's usually something you enjoyed then you may now.

    thats a really great idea... thank you!
    I think i just need to get going with it!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    edited April 2017
    I'd generally suggest some good body weight resistance training and whatever cardio you enjoy for overall fitness. Overall though, it depends on what you are currently capable of and what your long term fitness goals are. I am a huge proponent of resistance training because it seems to be a big driver for achieving the body you want.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1


    But like others said, diet is the driver for weight loss. Protein and resistance training support sustainment of your muscle mass and strength gains.
  • TheCupcakeCounter
    TheCupcakeCounter Posts: 606 Member
    Walking is easy and works well. If you really want to get into running look into the Couch to 5K programs. Swimming is also great and easy on the joints if you have access to a pool.
  • michaelwaglay
    michaelwaglay Posts: 4 Member
    I do 30 mins walking everyday minimum - I am male, 5'9" and started at 214 on Jan 14 2017 and now I am 191 eating about 1500 calories. I've had deficits of 250 calories on average over that period. I just log walking outside of the house, and use google maps to help track it at 2.0 mph (slow pace).
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    What are your interests? I'd start with that. So many people just do things they don't necessarily like doing just because they read that they should be doing it in some fitness magazine...

    I personally started out just walking but that was just because my fitness was so low, it was about the only thing I could do...I just focused on moving more in general and getting out for some deliberate walks. I went from that to doing a C25K and though I loathed running, I kept at it for months...I was pretty miserable, but I thought that's what I had to do to be fit. In training for a sprint triathlon many months later I discovered a passion for cycling...I've been riding ever since...few years now.
  • kaizaku
    kaizaku Posts: 1,039 Member
    Ease into it rather going full throttle then burning out or injurye yourself. If you want to build stamina get fit, I suggest you jog 15-30mins couple times a week week, gradually increasing the duration and frequency of the jog.

    Want to build bit of strength, do push ups, squats. 8-10 repetition of 3 - 4 sets. After that, if you my want to progress further join a gym. Ask a personal trainer to write you a program, depending what your goal is. Then off you go :smile:
  • Theo166
    Theo166 Posts: 2,564 Member
    Whatever you end up doing, try making walking a part of it. Changing your mindset and habits around walking will pay dividends now and when you are in maintenance. Even a couple hundred calorie increase in TDEE done persistently adds up over weeks, months, and years. I'm not a rockstar with my steps, but they are slowly increasing
  • diezel67
    diezel67 Posts: 97 Member
    Walking then body weight exercises etc...and have fun!
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    I've always been a walker. Partly because I'm unathletic and uncoordinated. (As a kid, I was diagnosed with gross-motor/fine-motor issues. Mostly today it translates into 'no good at sports' and 'going by my handwriting, I should be a doctor, but I haven't enough aptitude in science').

    I use a fitness glider (Gazelle Edge) which is primarily a cardio machine, but also helps work the upper body muscles.

    And, after lurking on these boards a bit and seeing people talk about how strength training helps to strengthen and preserve muscle that might otherwise be lost in a calorie deficit, I walked into a fitness store and asked for advice. They suggested either fitness tubes or weights. I went with the tubes because, pragmatically speaking, the store was forty-five minutes walk from my house and I wasn't sure if I could comfortably carry the weights home (and what if the shopping bag tore?).
  • Ogopogo
    Ogopogo Posts: 58 Member
    I have started with riding a recumbent bike - that seems to be the easiest/most convenient/best way for me to get active. As I lose weight I am starting to walk both on a treadmill and outside now that the weather is nice. I do a little bit of running - walk 5 minutes, run for 1, walk for 5, run for 1....eventually I will increase the amount of running when I am able. Hope that helps. Feel free to add me as a friend if you need a little motivation.

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