Which would you pick to lose weight?

[angelwithin]

So, my new years resolution is to lose weight :) lol

When college starts, I have a pretty busy schedule and have trouble finding time to go to the gym (I'm on campus from 7 am to 7 pm about 5 days a week and my major is engineering so the other 2 I NEED to do homework on.. it's just that much work, no choice).

So I have two choices:

1) Buy a bicycle and go around my neighborhood (It would be stress relieving, but I don't know if it would be enough to lose weight, even if I do it all day)

2) Buy a cardio machine (I want the elliptical) and do it at home any time I want during the day or night (but would this be better option that option 1)

Granted, if I have time I will go to the gym. However, I'm asking this question for the days I can't go to the gym.. like those 12 hour days.

Thanks for your opinion :)

Bicycle

Elliptical (or other cardio machine of your preference, please let me know if so below)

Updates

+1 y

If I'm not in great shape, can I still do the p90x? I hear people say that you need to be IN shape to do the p90x, plus I have knee problems and bent back bone (just like my dad's family - which sucks because I will probably have back problems when I get old) but I still want to try it, would it be out of my league -- better question.. will I be able to adapt to it eventually?

Updates

+1 y

Thank you guys for your answers! This really helped! I had been thinking about this a while back, but of course finals came into the picture and out went my personal life. I'm going to get the p90x for my weight loss and a bicycle for me to enjoy! :)

[WeaponZero]

if your goal is to burn fat you can do better with a jump rope and a sight of light dumbbells or resistance bands you can do some home circuit training with. if you want to you can buy a program like p90x or insanity which are overall good programs but their success depends very much on following the accompanying nutrition program TO THE LETTER. p90x requires you to work out an hour and a half a day also so it may not be the one for you if you are pressed for time.

my recommendation is to buy a suspension trainer (such as the TRX, the Lifeline USA Jungle Gym XT, or the Astone Fitness Human Trainer) or a set of resistance bands and use that for resistance training. there are workouts on YouTube you can look up for free that utilize these tools that are as good as anything you can buy in a program such as p90x and don't require that kind of devotion of time. get a jump rope for cardio.

[WeaponZero]

If you have joint/bone issues that get in the way of doing a lot of exercises you can still do p90x, however you will have to modify many of the moves. I think that you would do better with a program designed to be low impact from the outset though than having to modify those.

[martyfellow]

I'd go with the bicycle or other outdoor activity, jogging, for examle. You can run a few minutes in the morning, can't you? Even a few minutes a day will get you into better shape.

On weekends, do aerobics classes at the gym, play tennis, go cycling.

Try to walk a little around the campus at lunch or during breaks, rather than sitting and chatting with friends.

[martyfellow]

Great question!

[angelwithin]

yes I've already picked out my light blue schwinn bicycle for my evening fun! And I decided to also go with the P90 for a little challenging fun! Thanks for answering :)

[rachiee]

I'd say option 2. But make sure that you actually turn up the resistance when working out. I don't know how many people use an elliptical on 0 resistance and wonder why they see no results. Bike riding is great but I would suggest you add more intense cardio to it as well.

Yes you can still do p90x. A lot of people who do it aren't in shape. Just like every workout routine, you will adapt and get use to it. Just take it slow and at your own pace at first but continue to push yourself.

[angelwithin]

oh not me, I like resistance switching between 5 when I'm resting to 8 or 9 when I'm going at it!

I couldn't update it again, but I decided to start at P90 and ease it in :) lol but I agree, I will start slow! Thanks for answering!

[Lizzy94]

I think You should do both use your bike around campus or anywhere you want to go and get the cardio machine. I'm not sure about P90x but hey why not take a challenge and I you just want one option then it would be cardio machine. I suggest the challenge though and exercising actually helps your back problem :)

[angelwithin]

lol great idea! Biking around campus! And yes -- challenges will keep it fun and entertaining, that's why I'm going to try P90. Thank you for answering :)

[Karass]

I was losing a over 1kg a week when I was cycling to begin with but because I was cycling 30miles a day to work and back it was very quick to gain muscle wait after about 3 weeks. I was not fat but cutting back on your intake and cycling is a great way to lose weight. I gained muscle weight with cycling because I used very high gears and had very hilly routes and traveled long distances.

Depending on how you cycle you can work different muscles but cycling often works your core a lot as well. If you have a cycling partner, a good route, good music cycling is enjoyable and easy. You challenge and push yourself more by changing gears going further or going to hilly areas.

Running is a very good alternative or even jogging.

[WoIIie]

Buy a bicycle regardless. Any mode of cardio that will help you get out of the house is a good thing.

As for quick home workouts, all you need is a resistance band and two dumbells. The rest you can get done with your body weight, Full body exercise routines can be more beneficial than long, moderate cardio. Try the M-100 and you'll see what I mean.

[angelwithin]

I am! I already picked out the one I wanted too -- gotta get the gear and stuff for it.

[JustAnOpinion]

Yes, you can do P90X. They show you modified versions of the exercises. I couldn't 5 pushups when I started.

Always bend your knees slightly when you're doing dumb bell exercises standing up. This will protect your back.

You can use exercise bands instead of weights if you don't want to take up as much space.

[AltTech]

Don't waste your money on either of those. Buy (or download) a program like p90x or Insanity. All you need is a TV and some free weights (for p90x, none needed for Insanity), and a yoga mat.

Insanity is harder because it is all cardio focused. Even the warm up for these programs would be more effective that riding a bicycle.

[AltTech]

@ update, yes you can still do p90x, but you will have to modify some of the moves, especially plyometrics if you have a bad knee. Thankfully, Tony Horton has demonstrations that take high impact out of a lot of the moves on that one. I skip a few moves myself because my left knee can't take the pressure for long periods of time.

[vptwarrior]

Swimming, its easy and simple, DO NOT DOGGY PADDLE, do butterfly, breast stroke, back stroke, and freestyle until you basically can't move, do this every day. Go to a gym for this.

[angelwithin]

Thanks, I'd love to swim every day if I had a pool at my house lol After a long day at school, I want to exercise close to home.. that way if I'm about to pass out, home is right around the corner. (My college and its rec center is 30 minutes away from my house and that's without traffic -- if I had a 12 hour day and then worked myself out until I couldn't move, I highly doubt I'll make it home in one piece while driving on the freeway lol at least at the beginning)

[vptwarrior]

i understand that feeling, okay, well thanks for reading my comment anyways.

[angelwithin]

of course thanks for answering! :) I appreciate it.

[NayaAbouzaid]

B , because of the th weather and if you really just want to work out in your PJ'S :D

[angelwithin]

lol cute answer! thumbs up :)

[ixi10]

stairmaster. works wonders

[angelwithin]

lol I've seen people do that -- but just looking at it hurts my knees! haha, I'd rather just run up and down my stairs at school for that lol I do it enough going from 1st floor to the 3rd in a day

[JustAnOpinion]

Do P90X instead. Good stuff.

[DebiPie]

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