a question about exersise and weight loss?

[dazed and confuzed]

if I work out half an hour six days a week (stretching, sit-ups, push-ups etc.) do I get the same results as working out an hour three days a week?and if I stick to a well balanced diet and walk for an hour every couple of days is it enough to stay healthy and in shape?I want to lose 20lb in a few months and keep it off- if I stick to this kind of regime can I pull it off?

[MyOceanStorm]

Doing it more often is more benifical so 30mins for 6 days rather than an hour for 3.

[The Eight Ball]

This can be done but not through exercise alone. If I was very serious about weight loss and keeping in shape I would use option one, six one hour sessions per week. (Don't burn yourself out though.)If you start this exercise program, your body will crave more food to help keep up your energy. So you will definately need to stick to the diet also.Sounds like you have a good plan.

[sristi]

don't think about your weight. if you are regularly doing exercise(7 days a week), you will have a guaranteed health. kind of exercise and duration can only be told, after knowing full background of the person. age, size, past experience of exercises are all the factors which goes into deciding the kind of exercises and duration of exercises one should go for.

[Schayes]

Don't worry, you are on the right track to losing weight.Just stick to your well balanced diet, though it is advisable too, to increase the intensity of your workout as you approach the deadline, but the key, still is the diet.

[orange_slice]

Exercise:You have a good start but to lose 20 lbs you would need to do much more. An hour of exercise 3 days a week would be better. You can slowly make this to 5 days a week and stick to it. Make sure that in your exercise regiment you have some sort of cardio to burn more calories like biking, swimming, aerobics or brisk walking. All these are good for the heart too.Diet:Just a balanced diet would not be enough to lose 20 lbs. Here also you would need to watch what you are eating. Try avoiding foods like rice, potatoes, ice creams, cheeses, pasta. Basically avoid any food that has high carbs in it. If you avoid carbs totally for just 2 weeks you can reduce as much as 10 lbs during those 2 weeks. Then after 2 weeks you can slowly introduce good carbs like full grain breads. Google 'South Beach Diet' and check out what it is. This has been the most effective diet plan that worked for me. Best thing about this diet is that you do not gain weight again.Of course you have to have a mind set first to follow an exercise or a diet plan in a consistent manner. Your goals are acheivable so go for it.

[curiousgirl]

This is a good question. I agree that working out more days a week than 2 or 3 long sessions is better because it helps your body & muscles remember what it's doing when there's repetition. Walking is excellent!! I can't stress it enough... that is, when it's not so hot outside. But even walking in cool or even cold weather is good enough... weather's not so much the factor as is the action & the intensity. I always feel & notice my body slim down when I'm walking or using a treadmill on a regular basis, such as 4-5 times a week. I've never had to lose more than a few pounds, so I can't speak from personal experience on how to lose 20 pounds. But, I would just find a schedule & stick with it for as long as you get rid of the weight you need. Maybe even write it out in a checklist form, if you need to. You really have to practice losing weight mentally AND physically, just like you practice any other task. Also, by toning down, you might realize you may not even have to lose that much after all. And one last thing, if you get bored (which I & countless people often do), vary the exercises! You won't stick with it if you do the same tired routine daily. I like to do (for example) toning 1 day, aerobic another, day off, a nice long walk becuz i HATE running (over 40 minutes), dance (video or make up your own), & any combo of these. Then you'll figure out which of these will give you the best results, & you can mix & match them for yourself. Best of luck!