One year later - if anyone sees this note, just to say thanks. I now have 10% body fat, 85kg (started at 130!), and I run demi-marathons.
After reading a vast quantity of books and papers (about 60 monographs) the solution for me was the 1967 book W. Lutz, "Leben Ohne Brot". I personally found everything else rather confused and unscientific. I hope it helps someone.
I just wanted to thank you all for being the inspiration in the earliest days. Very best!
At the worthwhile suggestion of many experts, I have made my question much more consice, and focussed on the question I really am interested in!
I am 46 yrs male, 6', good general health, but have FAT - basically a great big "beer gut". FTR I was the chubby kid in primary school, and then from 14 to 35 very skinny, and now, FAT! Diet: fortunately I eat only home-made food (meats, vegetables, fruits). I eat no sweets. We (thank God) eat no fast food or processed food of any type. I do not drink beer or liquor (but lots of wine).
I generally love exercise, and very fortunately have total commitment-ability, and understand results take a long time. For years I have had no time, or not made the time.
My basic question:
Starting now, I plan to exercise for perhaps 30 minutes a day, every day.
(Unless someone tells me that's wrong and I should do more/less/who knows?)
My essential question:
option A I will basically "walk fast and hard" for my 45 minutes. (I am not really able to run at this point, my knees are gettin' old. I enjoy hiking long distances, although do it only once a month presently.)
option B Instead of Walking Hard for 45 mins a day, I will buy some sort of fancy machine (perhaps an elliptical, or the like? you're the experts) and use that for 45 mins a day from here on in. Why? Could the machine be plain more efficient to do that? (Rather than just walking hard?) ie, you burn more calories (or whatever - you tell me!) on a fancy machine (elliptical? rowing? x-skiing? stationary bike?) compared to plain old Mark1 walking?
if so (if the machine is more efficient), it would seem to be sensible to do that, as it would essentially save time, and get "more exercise" (aerobic, heart, whatever - I don't know) per year. (There's also an edge of plain efficiency working out right in your house - no travel/prep time, etc.)
Again - another way to phrase this, is walking (hard) worth anything? If you are planning to exercise 45 mins a day for the future? Or is it just plain silly compared to some posh machine? The posh machine will burn much more, tone you better up top .. or no?
So should I go with option A or option B .... ??!
That's the shorter version - THANKS !!!!!!
JonJon - here you go!