alittle background to start out, i've not been very active for quite awhile. I currently started a week ago at 290lbs. I've got a bone spur on my left pad of foot, a bad knee and corporal tunnel in one hand, so some exercises alittle hard to do. Based on my activity level, i was scheduled to just walk 30mins a day.  I've in addition added aerobics (richard simmons, ugg) for 30mins and also short bike daily. Yesterday i figured i blew at least 650 calories, probably more since i added using weights to my aerobic workout. I was happy this was the most i'd done exercise wise. While doing the aerobics i pushed myself untill i was light headed, so figure i went alittle overboard, but i'm trying. Anyway, i told my husband what i'd burned calorie wise and he was like, is that it? He says i should at least blow all 1800 calories i eat a day. I was so exhausted but went out and walked another 45 mins and came back with blisters on my feet, coughing,,,,(alergies and slight astma, sigh). My question is, what should my goal be for calories burned daily. I feel like i'm trying, i woke up today, hurting all over paying for all i did yesterday but when i was told it wasn't enough by husband, trying to figure out exactly where i'm going wrong.

 

Hi Bhilden,

You're off to a great start and should be really proud of yourself!  You absolutely should not be trying to burn 1800 calories per day exercising.  Remember, regular everyday life helps you burn calories all day long. Your body is burning calories from everything from eating, walking, standing, climbing stairs,  etc.  Through the combination of exercising and living our everyday lives, we are trying to help our bodies burn more calories than we consume.  Following a sensible diet helps make the process somewhat easier.

You're not going wrong anywhere!  Keep up the good work, keep a positive attitude and you will be successful!  You are already on a path to success, you weren't even exercising a week ago! 

If you feel light headed during exercise, take a break.  It is very important to exercise safely.  Relax for as long as needed to feel comfortable before resuming your session.  You should get clearance from your physician before undertaking any new exercise or diet program

Keep me posted.

Good Luck,

Paul

Hello, I too just started a diet 2 weeks ago, and started walking with a friend 2 weeks ago. I walk for 30 to 45 mins depending on how i feel. I started at 291.5  and as of yesterday morning i weighed 277. I had to change my eating habits and that was hard. hahaha because my husband is a great cook. But i eat more fruit and vegatables fish chicken turkey  stuff like that. I feel a whole lot better. you should not be burning as many calories as you eat that isnt good your body has to have some fuel to run on. well keep me informed on how you are doing? you are off too a great start, good luck and hang in there....pam

Hi spam79, Thanks for writing and welcome to alli! Congrats on beginning your new lifestyle of eating a healthy diet and exercising! Even making the small changes will add up to great results and you will definitely feel much better! Do your best every day and remember that it is about progress, not perfection! Keep me posted with your progress, as well! Best in health, Kelli

I just started the alli almost 4 weeks ago and just started going back to the gym with my mom. I would get ur husband involved with the exercise. but anyway when I walk on the treadmill at the gym I have 3 pound weights in my hand to boost my cardio up and the treadmill only gives me the cal. that I burned walking briskly (3 mph) and doesn't included the weights so I have no idea how many calories I burn. Just today I spent an hour and a half at the gym doing cardio and weights and I just bought a pedometer to track my steps.

Hi Dubol,

It's great that you've gotten back into the gym.  Becareful walking with weights, if you're not careful it could create a problem. I always recommend that if you want to work a little harder, to slightly increase your pace or use a slight elevation.  Remember the number of calories that the machine tells you that you have burned is only a gross estimate.  Buying the pedometer was a good idea. 

Stay focused and keep up the good work.

Good Luck,

Paul

 No offense, but your husband is going to kill you! Burning 1800 cals a day through exercise plus another probably 1800 through just being alive is going to drain you of any and all energy. It's also a surefire way to burn out quickly. Don't let him discourage you, you're burning 650 cals a day through exercise. Most people burn 200-300.

Hi GetRight,

Good advice.  The last thing we want to do is burn out from exercise, or worse, get injured. While exercise should be challenging and intense, it should not be the kind of chore it's become.  It's actually extremely difficult to burn 1800 calories unless you are working out for hours at a clip or really pushing yourself to dangerous limits. 

My advice is to make sure you are challenging yourself to keep your HR elevated throughout your session and apply the most intensity you can at a pace that will allow you to complete anywhere from 25-60 minutes of exercise. 

Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your viewpoint.

Good Luck,

Paul