Opinions wanted - NEWB

o0oAVAo0o
o0oAVAo0o Posts: 5 Member
edited August 2017 in Fitness and Exercise
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

Replies

  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,736 Member
    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
    o0oAVAo0o Posts: 5 Member
    edited August 2017
    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
    o0oAVAo0o Posts: 5 Member
    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
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    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
    o0oAVAo0o Posts: 5 Member
    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
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    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
    o0oAVAo0o Posts: 5 Member
    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
    dustbringer Posts: 1,621 Member
    o0oAVAo0o wrote: »
    I gained when I ate everything after quitting smoking a year ago.

    Congratulations on quitting smoking! :)

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