The amount is gonna very greatly with different people. It is not necessary to exercise to lose weight, but I feel that it certainly makes it easier in many ways -- especially in keeping it off.
I'd suggest getting a heart rate monitor or going to a gym that has them built into the threadmills and other equipment so you can safely monitor your heart.
If you've not been exercising at all -- such as not walking for more than a few minutes at a time -- I'd suggest starting there. Walking is easy on the joints and can be fun to do alone or with others. My wife was about 60 lbs overweight when I married her (was all her life till then). About two years later, she started walking our dog daily and didn't change anything else. Within several months, she was 105 lbs and has been for about 10 years now.
My brother-in-law has lost a lot of weight over the past several months by walking a nearby trail, while listening to books on tapes from the local library.
I'd strongly suggest working your way up to a brisk 30 min - 1 hr walk over time. It could really change your life.
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Started on 10-7-03
200/184/175
5'11.5"
32 yr old male
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