Expert: Linda Erwin, M.S. - 8/14/2006

Question
Okay that's great! I think I'm going to do the every other day thing and see how I feel. I've actually been doing the walking think for a few months now (since maybe march or april) I was 233 when i started and now i'm 214. I think it is the walk and jog that is making my knees sore because they didn't get sore until I started doing that. When I first started exercising I got the walk away the pounds dvd Mile 1,2,&3. I started with mile 1 and started doing the 2 mile and worked up to the 3 mile. And recently for about a week or 2 I've been doing the walk and jog and the 4 mile walk. the 4mile walk isn't so bad but the walk and jog is a bit much, while the jogging part is, lol. I also do the walk and kick which is walking with intervels of kick boxing (i like) and the muscle mile one and walk strong which involve hand wieghts which i love you walk a little and the do the wieghts and you just go back and forth walking and wieghts. I like that the lady in the dvd always encourage you to move at your own pace and that you don't have to move as fast as they are if it's too much for you. So perheps i'm doing too much of it at once. but i'm afraid that if i don't i won't continue to lose so i'm glad about the every other day thing I think that it will help. We have tile in our house is that too hard a surface?
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Followup To

Question -
How many minutes a day should you exercise for wieght lose. I've currently been doing the walk away the pounds workouts and I recently started trying to do at least an hour of exercise at least 4 to 5 times a week. But sometimes I feel like I am doing too much and I feel really tired. I tried the walk and jog which is great but now my knees are sore and I'm not sure if that is normal or if i'm not doing it correctly (the form).

Answer -
Hi Priscilla,
Good job on being consistent and trying to get all that exercise in.  If your knees are hurting it might be because of the ground (concrete is bad) or you might be carrying too much weight to walk that much right away.  I suggest you do some crosstraining.  Ride a bike which isn't weight bearing, swim or water aerobics, rebounding, or just walking on a treadmill or do a crosstrainer would be great.  You can most of that at a gym.  If you don't have access to a gym then give your knees a rest and go walking every other day for 30-45 minutes.  See how your knees feel.  If you have a bike, go bike for 30-45 minutes.  You want to build up to one hour 5 times a week, not do it all at once.  Our bodies aren't used to putting that kind of demand on our joints without preparation.  You also need to stretch after you walk for at least 10 minutes.  Do not use handweights or ankle weights when you walk.  
Now, in order to lose weight you will need to modify your diet and make sure you are getting enough nutrients so you don't get so tired.  Check with your Dr. if that continues but it's always a good idea to check in with your Dr. to make sure you are in good health before starting an exercise program.  Have fun with exercise.  Get a video and do aerobics at home or turn on some great music and dance.
HOpe all goes well,
Linda

Answer
Tile is terrible for your knees.  Try a different surface if you can.  Videos are great and do work at your own pace.  Cut out the jogging...too much weight on the knees for that right now.  You will also start to feel it in your back if you aren't careful.  Keep up the good work!