How to step up my exercise schedule?

Hi there,

I have been starting to exercise and I'd like someone to run their eye over my exercise schedule.

I am [unfortunately] pretty obese and have rarely exercised regularly in my life. I have a sedentary job with very long hours and I'm a man in my mid-thirties.

Since the start of August 2008, I have started walking [briskly], 4 times a week. It started with a very very short walk length of less than a minute the first week and now it is up to 17 minutes, 4 times a week. I've never missed one. I realize that these are exceptionally short walks by many people's standards, but more than once have I started things [gyms] in a blaze of enthusiasm, with new trainers, etc. only to procrastinate and lose interest. As it stands, these 7 months represent the longest continuous period of 'exercise' for many many years.

I chose the 4 times a week frequency to fit in with my difficult schedule. I also chose the gradual build-up to remove any fear or apprehension by launching immediately into a big routine of 60 minutes a day, every day, for example.

I view these walks still as a bit of a chore but know that my attitude probably needs to change to that of enjoyment.


DIET

Diet is as bad as you could imagine. I can't cook much beyond scrambled eggs and anyway, I have a thing about spending as little time at preparing food / eating as possible. My work is irregular but I am at the very start of cooking VERY basic snacks/ meal that need to be both simple and healthy.



QUESTION

The routine to date has not made me super-fit, of course, I'm still easily out of breath, but what other option is there? I am loath to spend money on a gym and it's way too early I think to talk about a bicycle. I can swim [just about!] but there is no pool nearby.

I had sort of planned to continue the walking until I get up to 30 minutes, 4 times a week but what then? Should I start running for a 30-60-90-120 seconds [etc] out of this 30 minutes, or just continue with the 30 minutes for 4-6-8-? weeks, say?

I'd appreciate any help,

Thanks
 
Could you go to work under your own power (walking, bicycling, running)? That may be a time saver since your exercise will eliminate time spent commuting.

If you are very heavy, be careful with running, since it may be hard on your knees. Runners also need to get the correct type of shoes for the amount of pronation (inward roll of their foot) they have as they run.
 
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