[FONT="Comic Sans MS"] So, I worked out four times last week 2x 30min cardio video and 2x 30min stregth training video and i saw no changes in my weight at all. As you can see I got a lot to lose here and I think that maybe I should up what my exercise scheduale looks like. I just started but I was thinking a 30min cardio video six times a week in the morning before I head off to work and then maybe three days of 30min strength training videos and three days of 20min fat buring yoga when I get home from work. I figure since I'll definitly do the cardio in the morning if I come home from work and am too tired to exercise again at least I already have done thirty minutes of exercise. I really want ot get my life in order and get my health at good levels. I'm only 22 and I do want ot have kids and be around for them in the years to come. Does anyone have any suggestions? They would all be appreciated. I'm very grateful.- Tamicka[/FONT]

Most of the exercise I do is walking. I have tried a few different videos recently, and just can't seem to get into it and enjoy it. Maybe I just haven't found the right video. But walking has helped me a lot, and it's something I have been able to stick with.

Hi Tamicka,

Funny I was just thinking I wish I had worked harder on the exercise habit when I was younger and more able to do it. Make sure you work up to whatever level you want at least a little gradually, and prob. if you haven't you should check with your doctor, but in general, fitting in more exercise seems it's always a good idea.

On the other hand, you haven't said anything about your eating plan. Exercise doesn't do it alone. So make sure your eating plan is one that has you eating an appropriate amount, too.

Finally, be patient! Sometimes loss lags a little bit behind the work.

Along with watching your eating plan, the other thing to remember is we burn a lot fewer calories than we think we do exercising ( sad but true). So don't over estimate what you burn. Exercise is good for your health and it builds muscle which increases your metabolism because muscle burns calories to stay alive and fat doesn't. The only people I know who exercise enough to eat whatever they want are hard core athletes like marathoners. The other thing is muscle weighs more than fat, so that can slow the scales down - but you are getting fitter and smaller!

You've gotten some good advice. Work up to whatever you're doing and DO remember that exercise AND diet together are needed for sustainable weight loss. luja is right that we don't burn as much as we think we do...

I'd also add that you should be sure to work toward a routine you can stick with long term. Sometimes when we first start out we make really big plans that are just too much. After 2 weeks we realize we can't do what we planned and feel like "failures". but perhaps if the plan really was something you can stick with, it would be easier to... stick with!

Also, do feel free to join us on our exercise thread! We're working to exercise 200,000 minutes as a group this year!!