Expert: Ken Alan - 1/18/2010

Question
Hi Ken,
    I'm a 19 year old college student, slightly overweight, and I'd like to improve my body size. I'm trying to end some depression, and I've been told that exercise is a great way to do this. I eat a balanced and healthy diet, but don't exercise at all. I've been looking at some routines online to try and determine one, but it's very confusing! I'm 5'10' and 175lbs, and I cannot get to a gym to use the equipment. I'm only looking to lose 10 pounds or so over the course of the 15 week semester, and generally more interested in getting a stronger core. I go to school in a rough part of Harlem, so I'm really trying to design a workout that can be done in my building. The plan that  I've made from my online research is this: warm up - down and up the stairs twice at a decent pace (8 stories), exercise for the day, cool down - stretching. For the exercise for the day, I was planning on doing this 6 days a week, alternating between upper body an lower body. Upper body: pushups (20 reps), dips (to work triceps) (20 reps), an upper back exercise (20 reps), sit ups (20 reps), and the plank exercise as a circuit. I found this on a website (http://www.truestarhealth.com/members/cm_archives11ML3P1A26.html) and it seemed comprehensive. For lower body workouts I had planned: squats (20 rep), lunges (20 reps), step ups (20 rep), calf raises (25 rep), and leg lifts (20 rep) as a circuit. In high school this was close to the exercises we'd do in gym everyday, but I'm wondering if this is balanced...
Thanks for any help!
Jimmy

Answer
Hi Jimmy,
Glad you're motivated to work out.  Without knowing you or your physical capabilities or fitness level, it's not possible to determine if the program you want to do is appropriate for you.  You can try it, and see how it feels and how your body responds to it.  If it's too hard, cut back.  If it's too easy, you can crank it up.  It is a good program and will involve most major muscle groups.  Give it a try if you haven't already. Stay consistent and see if you obtain the results you're looking for.
Hope this helps.