About Me:

-19 years old, female, college student
-I don't know how many calories I consume a day. Never really bothered to count, since I'm not gaining or losing weight and that's not really my goal right now since I'm fine with my number.
-5'6 & about 155 lbs, depending on time of day and day
-Blood glucose reading was fine, but looking to lower cholesterol, based on a very recent report back from my doctor. Also trying to make some good food swaps! Cholesterol was in the late 190's.
-Used to do 400 calories of Dance Dance Revolution on Difficult/Expert, but now cutting it back to 200 a day because I got a bit tired of DDR and I like using the exercise bike while on my phone for 200 a day. Each is for about 45 minutes. The DDR is just more intense. Both at home. Always exercise at home.

Is 200 a day enough for me, honestly? It's only temporary. I don't know when I want to go back to DDR, but I want to go back sometime.
Or should I go back to the 400 a day, even though I cannot figure out how to motivate to do so right now? Is forcing it worth it for my cholesterol level?

It can get frustrating when you're that specific about what you do and how much you burn.  Calories are a generalization but to do the math within 200 can be counter productive.

Exercise should be fun.  The way most people succeed is where they enjoy what they do.  If you drag yourself to play a game or play a sport or do an activity, it isn't going to be successful.

Try finding something you enjoy without the counting of calories.  200 calories?  That's not even a two mile walk.  Take a stroll for 40 minutes and enjoy the weather.  That'll burn those calories without you even trying.  You can do other things that keep you upright and moving around.

To answer the question about exercise.... it depends.  Look at yourself in the mirror naked.  If you like or generally accept what you see, you're getting enough exercise.  If you don't like what you see, you either need to do more or change your eating habits.

Any exercise is better than none, so it's good that you are at least trying to be somewhat active.

The easiest way to find out if you are getting enough exercise is to track your calories and weight using one of the free apps available for Mobile. The one I use is MyFitnessPal. This really takes all the guess work out of the process and helps you meet whatever goals you want to obtain.

This app allows you to track your eating habits as well as your exercise habits. Based on your height/age you probably want to lower your weight to around the 130-140 range.

warmaker : Problem with the walk for pleasure is that I usually have a bag on me since I'm a student.....Now what?

And just how accurate ARE exercise bikes?
I'm a bit in doubt because I'm never given an option to enter my weight on the thing....
And I get pretty sweaty (no fan) when I do it too, so its a little hard for me to believe I'm only burning 200 cals....

xxeliza321xx : Take the bag with you.  You burn more calories because you're adding weight and that takes more energy.

Bikes don't really burn many calories.  The frame of the bike is supporting your weight and you're not doing a tremendous amount of work unless you have a program like "HILLS" or something to drive up the resistance.  Biking is easy because it does not take a tremendous amount of energy with low resistance.

200 calories could be up to five miles or more on a bike.  It is an inefficient exercise.  

Sweat also does not mean you're working hard.  You can sit in a sauna and you don't burn many calories and you sweat yourself to death.  

warmaker : Well, then whoever told me it did, be it online, or face to face is dead wrong then...Anyways, I got my gym card today so I can work out at school, so that should help a bit and make me less bored with what I was doing lol

And now what about the 400? Fine or more, even though I feel pretty tired after it?

xxeliza321xx : There are some options.

I recommend checking with your school gym to see if they offer free fitness classes.  Group exercise classes are a wonderful way to enjoy yourself in a fitness program.  Study after study shows socialization is the number one most important factor when enjoying fitness activities.  That is why walking clubs, running groups, and team sports are so popular.  It is more fun when you have others to work with you.  Group fitness classes offer the socialization along with fitness.  And the instruction is usually very good.  They teach you what to do and how to do it.  

If they don't have that, try to find a group of people who exercise together or walk or do something.  Craigslist is a good spot but most schools have social calendars and clubs to find others interested in the same thing.  The more involved you are with others, the more likely you'll be successful, have fun, and meet your goals.

If you are by yourself, don't worry so much about the calories.  The number itself can be a crutch and can slow you down.  Focus on time.  Try to commit 40 minutes to an hour once a day to sustained exercise.  Even moving slow, 40 minutes is good for you.  If you can manage it twice a day, you're doing even better.  

The trick is carving out the time and finding when you like it.  This is important stuff and health and fitness lead to all sorts of positive things, like sleeping better, increasing your concentration, improving your confidence, developing your social skills, and dropping weight, blood pressure, glucose, and more.  It' improves your health and saves your life.

Find people to help you. That's the most important step.

warmaker : Thank you! Will be considered!

155 pounds sounds good for someone who is 19. im 11 and I weigh about 110 pounds. so based on that, (since I've always been skinny) I would say that's okay.

Mega Mewtwo X : Thank you

It sounds like a healthy weight, but if you really are conscious about your weight, Often just making sure you don't over eat and doing about an hours exercise a day can easily help you maintain a healthy weight..

Just make sure you 3 meals a day and don't binge eat.. And try to eat a variety of foods... Not just carbs and fats

Hopefully this helps a bit.