How much exercise do I need?

Jamieleisa777
Jamieleisa777 Posts: 11 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I’m swimming 50 minutes 3x per weeks but struggling on my off days to walk every day. Is that okay or is it okay to exercise just 5 days a week? I keep guilt tripping myself…

Could use some support and ideas.

Jamie
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Replies

  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,742 Member
    Five days a week is fine. The recommendation for good health is 150 minutes of exercise each week, so 5 x 30 is good. Your swimming takes care of the basic 150 minutes, anything else is bonus. Walk if you enjoy it. Or bike, dance, ski, mow the lawn, do yoga or tai chi, do online videos, etc. if you want to switch things around to avoid getting into a rut.
  • Jamieleisa777
    Jamieleisa777 Posts: 11 Member
    I actually hate walking which is part of the problem. I think I need to find something else I enjoy. And give myself a bit of grace while I’m still getting in shape and heavy. I’m a woman at 5’6 243lbs and I burn 650 calories swimming so it’s a good workout for me. I just increased it to 3 times 3 weeks ago so my body is getting used to it still. Thanks for your insight and exercise options!
  • Retroguy2000
    Retroguy2000 Posts: 1,847 Member
    edited October 18
    That's a good amount of exercise, however you might also benefit from sprints, which I assume you could do in swimming by going all out for 20-30 seconds a few times. And you're getting a lot of low intensity full body resistance work in water, which is probably helping your muscle definition, and complementing that with some lifting 2x per week might be useful too.
  • xbowhunter
    xbowhunter Posts: 1,236 Member
    Doing things that are good for your health, and you hate doing builds mental toughness that will pay off in other areas of your life. I walk 1hr per day and have learned to like it.. :)
  • nossmf
    nossmf Posts: 11,612 Member
    xbowhunter wrote: »
    Doing things that are good for your health, and you hate doing builds mental toughness that will pay off in other areas of your life. I walk 1hr per day and have learned to like it.. :)

    While adhering to something which helps despite it not being the most pleasant can be a good thing (think about enduring hunger pangs while losing weight), I see no reason to do something you HATE when you have so many other options which can offer similar benefits but you merely dislike, or maybe even enjoy.
  • mrsmeteor
    mrsmeteor Posts: 39 Member
    JamieGibson497 wrote: »
    I actually hate walking which is part of the problem. I think I need to find something else I enjoy. And give myself a bit of grace while I’m still getting in shape and heavy. I’m a woman at 5’6 243lbs and I burn 650 calories swimming so it’s a good workout for me. I just increased it to 3 times 3 weeks ago so my body is getting used to it still. Thanks for your insight and exercise options!

    If you don't enjoy walking, there's no rule saying you have to do it. Walking is great exercise, but so is swimming, and swimming is MUCH easier on your joints if you are overweight. You may enjoy walking more if you go to the woods to do it; just an idea. Good luck!

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