How much should I be exercising to see results?

This question is for the fitness buffs out there who are more knowldgeable in that department than I am. I haven't done anything close to exercise aside from walking in the last 6 years. I bought a bowflex a couple of months ago and I'm only just now getting accustomed to it and learning how to use it. That being said, I can do a good workout on it, but I can only last about 10 minutes before I'm completely winded and exhausted.

So my question is, how much exercise SHOULD I be getting everyday? I try to do little bouts throughout the day. Like at work I'll go to the restroom downstairs and I'll take the stairs down, sometimes up if I'm really in the zone, but when I get home in the evening and I really just exercise, I can only last 10 minutes.

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks FS Pals n' Gals!

This is one of those "it depends" questions ... and the answers vary. Let's start with a popular idea most experts/doctors have said - get 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week.

But --- if you can only do 10 minutes --- do them --- in a short while you will be able to increase your activity level as you get stronger.

I would try to walk 30 minutes, briskly, a day --- build up your fitness routine.

The weights, or muscle exertion you perform on the bowflex, should be every other day, or maybe 3 times a week. Allow your muscles to recover from your workout with 48 hours between bowflex sessions. Over time your bowflex routine will become longer, faster, with higher resistance ... and about 30 minutes of strenuous work / effort on it is pretty good.

I lift twice a week - it lasts about 30 minutes - but I move through it very quickly - with varying degrees of weight - and always mix it up - always total body. But people interested in weight lifting might do chest for an hour 1 day ... legs and back for an hour another, etc. Just google workout routines or bowflex routines and you will see the answer is varied.

On days I do not work out .... i am usually doing 1 hour of cardio, trying to burn around 600 - 700 calories - at a quick pace.

All of this will be enhanced by your diet and drinking lots of water ... I know this isn't a concrete answer -- but the answer really lies within, and how much you can do --- and your ability to push through and do more.

Just doing any exercise daily is awesome ... keep it up ... and you will begin to do more and more. Takes time.

It is an "it depends" situation like br_e_co said. Everyone is different, and if you can last 10 mins right now, do that, just don't give up because you can't do more right now. The 5 days a week, and 30 min. rule is pretty common, but you can work up to that. I'd say, get a walk in most days, then a few days a week try the bowflex. In a few weeks, you'll see that your time with the bowflex will increase. At first, when you start incorporating exercise your weight may drop quickly, but then as time goes on and your body gets used to what your doing it may plateau for a bit, then just add more intesity or switch up your workouts. The main thing is to do what you can do now and in a week you may go from 10 mins to 12 or 15, then the next week you'll be at 20, and so on. You'll get there just stick with it.

Work your way up to at least 30 min, 5 days a week. Yes, do what you can. All of us had to start somewhere. I remember years ago when I started at the gym I could only do 10 minutes of cardio, then I kept going and I worked my way up to 15 minutes then 20 and so on. Just hang in there.

If your bowflex is a strengthening machine you might want to do some walking too on alternate days.

10 minutes doing what?

Are you lifting weights, running?

Once I know what you are doing, I can explain ways to help you.

For example if you are using resistance, you should be doing the highest resistance you can for about 6 reps. It should be a struggle on the last rep. You should do about 3 sets of those. Depending on the muscle group you are working on, you should allow a 1 to 2 rest day afterward. I am happy to explain further if you need more advice.

I am using the bowflex doing resistance training I guess is what it's called? I do 5 key moves and I try to do 15 reps with each move. I replaced the 6th key move of a leg exercise to use the rowing machine feature on the bowflex, and I do that exercise for as long as I can. It usually ends up being about 30 reps/rows. The entire series lasts about 10 minutes. 15 if I go slow and really concentrate on the moves.

I try to use the bowflex at least every other day. I very recently found an old hiking trail near my house. It's a VERY short one, but it's enough of a hill to cause me to stop at least 3 times to catch my breath. I've only been able to do this once, but I am planning to do this tonight, and hopefully work it into my "routine" a bit.

Thanks for any advice you can give, and I apologize for the delay in responding.

Have a good day!