Q: For a woman 250 lbs or more, how many hours should she exercise a day when going to the gym? – Teresa L.
A: Weight does not determine hours of exercise. Regardless of size, it is very important for cardiovascular health that you exercise 30 minutes 5-6 days a week. If you are trying to lose weight you will need to exercise for an hour or more. Vigorous exercise needs to be 30 minutes a day. This does not need to be 30 continuous minutes of exercise; it can be three 10-minute workouts or six 5-minute vigorous workouts.
If you are obese, it may be easier on your joints to workout in the water. Swimming or water aerobics are a great way to exercise and lose weight. Treadmills can be very hard on the knees so if possible, try to walk outside or in the mall.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ‘Ask Dr. Renee’. Follow me on Twitter @AskDrRenee and on my website.