We've all heard that to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you are taking in. So exercise is the key, such as 30-60 minutes every day. This can be broken up however we want to such as in 10 minute increments, but the gist is that we need at least this much to lose and maintain weight loss.

Have any of you succeeded in losing weight without exercising this much? If so, what is your regimen like?

Do you think hearing this hinders people from starting an exercise routine?

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out on an exercise program to lose weight?

It can definitely seem impossible to exercise for 60 minutes if you currently don't exercise at all. I like to recommend that new exercisers start with 5 minutes of some type of activity, every day. It's important to build regular activity into your daily schedule, and everyone can find 5 minutes. After a week, bump it up to 10 minutes per day. If we set small goals and gradually increase our activity levels, we're not as likely to get injured and we may find some type of activity that we really like!

I love the idea to have someone new to exercising start with just 5 minutes a day and bump it up slowly. It can feel overwhelming to hear an hour or even a half hour. But 5 minutes anyone can handle. Great suggestion!

It sure makes it more manageable that way! I have a friend who is a trainer who starts people off with 20 minute exercise chunks for 6 days a week and builds it up over time. As long as you steadily increase, it will do your body good.