How much do you (realistically) work out a week?

alexandrazzzz

So I lost 120, put in 17 lbs! Now struggling to find balance. Before I over exercised. Going through a transition. I beat myself up on days when I don't workout over an hour! So successful MFP users who have lost and kept off weight, how much do you workout per week? Is it intense? etc.

ew_david

Lift for an hour 4 days a week and run for 30-60 min once a week.

crystallynnl

Realistically I haven't worked out at all. I need to, I really do. I have to get myself motivated to be active before work. I need to join Planet Fitness then go from there..

Icandoityayme

I do 20-30 minutes of cardio every day and maybe some pilates or walking if I feel like doing it.

FitFitzy331

I aim for at least 5 hours a week and generally I exceed that. I lift 4 days a week, do cardio one day and go to a yoga/pilates class once a week.

Woodspoon

600 minutes a week in 3 sessions apparently.
Sounds like a lot now I've looked at the weekly log, didn't realise I did that much, but I do enjoy the long endurance runs.

970Mikaela1

Lift 4 hours a week. cardio is my ten minute walk to the gym and back.

HealthySideofLife

At the moment, I do about 45-60 minutes of cardio 4-5 times a week, but I'm planning to incorporate strength training in my workout time in the next week or two (and maybe even more cardio).

missxlisa

I do a 20 min yoga video once a week, an hour of group cardio once a week, and 40ish minute toning/cardio DVDs three times a week

Lasmartchika

I do about 3 hrs a week of cardio.

365andstillalive

We can tell you what we do, but it really depends on what fits in your schedule, what your goals are and what you can realistically stick to.

I'm down about 70lbs over 3 years, with about another 20-25 to go. I have two workouts per week that always happen and that I'm 100% committed to doing, but I'll workout up to 6 days a week when I have the time. The two workouts I commit to are running --other than in Winter, when I do insanely long Zumba sessions instead since I don't have a gym membership and try as I might I hate winter running.

If you're really struggling, I'd suggest committing to a program that requires regular exercise, but not overly exerting your body though constant incredibly intense routines (as general health appears to be your goal) -- think something like a Jillian Michaels workout (probably 30DS) or Insanity (again, depending on your goal) and stick with just that one workout plan. When you complete it, move to the next. It means you'll reasonably be working out 4-5 days per week in intense but short bursts (30-60minutes) so that you're not over exercising and its manageable to fit into your free time.

arussell134

Right now, I'm training for a half marathon, so a bit more cardio than normal..... I'm running 5 days this week (between 3 - 10 miles = 30 total this week). I am also weight lifting, about 2-3 sessions of 30 minutes each. Some evenings I like to do yoga while watching TV too. I know this may all seem like a bit much, but since working out HARD over the last 6 months I've gotten pretty fit and find I just enjoy working out so much more!

Dgydad

I shoot for an hour of solid aerobic activity at least three times a week. Don't always make it, but that's the minimum I aim for. I was doing body-weight circuit training on the "off" days, until I dorked up my lower back. Didn't feel anything amiss while working out, just came up lame in the AM. Hope to add that back to the aerobic workout soon....

divediva2

I am currently working out with a trainer 3 days a week for 1 hour. We do strength training, stretching and some short HIIT sessions. 2 days a week I do HIIT sessions for 25 minutes and then 1 day a week I do Active Recovery for 45 minutes, it is cardio but not as intense as the HIIT sessions.

I have been doing this for 10 weeks. What a huge difference it has made in my life and my progress. I feel strong, content, sleep well, eat well and look forward to every day now.

sentaruu

I try to do at least an hour of activity a day, whether it's cardio or weightlifting or both.

ceruleanmuse

My working out has gone down since I started grad school. I lift three to four days a week, walk 10,000+ steps five days a week, and HIITs twice a week.

yogaveg

I have struggled with an eating disorder and a huge part of that was over exercise. Right now I am maintaining my weight but eating according to my hunger cues and doing exercise outside of the gym! I do yoga of varying intensities 4-6x a week, rock climbing x2, and generally go on some sort of walk, hike, or bike ride once a week (: it works for me to stay out of the gym and focus on activities that i really enjoy

ndj1979

6 days a week ..saturday is 100% rest day ..I lift heavy and mix in some cardio and ab work as well...

Graelwyn75

I aim to hit 5 miles walking a day, regardless. And I also tend to go to the gym 5-6 times a week for a duration of 70-90 minutes. I workout very intensely when there, as in, it can be uncomfortable and I am dripping sweat by minute 11-12. I do a combination of elliptical set on a high intervals level, running and weights. I also cycle if the weather is up to it, and need to get back into the boxing/martial arts classes I used to do.

I get periods of time where I totally slip off the exercise wagon, sometimes for weeks, but I always get back to it eventually and have to put in the sustained effort to get back to where I was, in terms of fitness and bodyfat %.

arditarose

Lift about 4 hours a week. Cardio about 2 and a half? Wow that doesn't sound like much.

MamaMollyT

I am lifting 4-5 days a week for 45-60 minutes and doing 30-60 minutes of cardio 5 days a week and on off days I walk or hike with the kiddos. Something active but easy on the joints and relaxing.

singingflutelady

Cardio:5 hours a week, Heavy lifting: 6 hours a week and yoga/pilates: 2-3 hours a week

JenAndSome

I lift 4 days a week for just under an hour at a time. I run when I feel like it. I used to run a lot more now it's maybe a couple times a month for about an hour when I do it. I also do little monthly challenges. This month I am doing the 30 day ab challenge. The biggest thing I did though, was start to pay attention to how much I eat and drink.

arditarose

MamaMollyT wrote: »

I am lifting 4-5 days a week for 45-60 minutes and doing 30-60 minutes of cardio 5 days a week and on off days I walk or hike with the kiddos. Something active but easy on the joints and relaxing.

Ahhh how you people do so much cardio? I get really proud if I put in a full 30 minutes.

missiontofitness

Just started my newest routine this past week which will include at minimum 3 trips to the gym per week for 30-45 minutes at a time for cardio, in addition to my weekly Zumba class on Thursdays. All depends on how I feel and if I need a rest day. I also walk to and from work from the lot where I park in 3 times a week, and that adds an additional 30 minutes of cardio on top of what I burn at the gym.

Only have a bit more to cut before I start getting into strength training. That'll be a whole new animal!

MMarvelous

I lift weights and spin class 4X a week, Pilates 1x a week, and walk 2X a week with 1 day of rest.

RedArizona5

(Last week) since right now its a new Week for me and haven't worked out yet-I worked out 4.26 hours on my workout tabs….about half was resistance on elliptical and walking on very high incline at moderate pace due to not running so much from back issues these day …I have increased my calories and trying to reduce them but i won't reduce too much…i do believe eating too low can be sabotaging myself so I think experimenting a little with various numbers-tricking my metabolism as well will help me get to the best way i feel..I do have significant more energy at higher calories and less caffeine then when i did with low calories and caffeinated regularly and also less shaky-Im naturally very energetic and even green tea can get my hands a little unstable-(not so good on the nervous system)IMHO
My workouts yes can be intense even for walking let alone elliptical…I do push myself so no I can't chit-chat I need to focus- My chest, neck, hair, arms -sweat- i don't like that i sweat so much- sweating i hear is not a factor of a good workout..but my water bottle is almost always empty and out of breath before cool down and so i feel that i do push myself. I do not slow down walking just cause I'm getting tired…not an option-its over eventually so getting it while i can is vital for meh..

BrianSharpe

arditarose wrote: »

Ahhh how you people do so much cardio? I get really proud if I put in a full 30 minutes.

It's not hard if you enjoy it. I run 4 x weekly (give or take 1 hr per session) ride my bike whenever I get the chance, row 3 or 4 x weekly (30 to 60 min on average)....all good fun

IzzyBooNZ1

I do thai boxing. I aim for 4-5 classes (1 hour each) a week.
I also walk my dogs , maybe 20-30 mins most days - they are getting on a bit and have joint problems so can't go too far.

RedArizona5

BrianSharpe wrote: »

arditarose wrote: »

Ahhh how you people do so much cardio? I get really proud if I put in a full 30 minutes.

It's not hard if you enjoy it. I run 4 x weekly (give or take 1 hr per session) ride my bike whenever I get the chance, row 3 or 4 x weekly (30 to 60 min on average)....all good fun

Yup

jyogit

i try and do at least 5miles or more jogging/walking every other day.. 3 1hr dumbbell sessions on alternate days and try n get in 8mile cycle rides on my day off. Feels great
As well as trying to fit in 60squats and 100 counter top push ups every day