How much is enough exercise?

doodlecakes_07
doodlecakes_07 Posts: 69 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm feeling pretty worn out and tired today. I keep telling myself I should exercise, but I really really just want to lay on the couch and watch movies (and attend to the mountain of physics homework I have)

So my exercise this week:

Monday: 5.5 mi running, 30 minutes intense calisthenics, and 10 min weights (stopped because of shoulder injury, i was pushing it)

Tuesday: 7 mi elliptical (terrible shin splints are keeping me from running for a while), 30 min intense calisthenics

Wednesday: 1 hour gymnastics, mostly working on the bars

Thursday: accidental rest day, but was on my feet all day, longggg and exhausting day

Friday: 14 mi elliptical (replacing long run)

Saturday: _____________?

Should I workout, or should I just study and rest? I really don't know if I'm being lazy or if I need rest.

Replies

  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Enough for what? Weight loss is controlled by calorie deficit which can be achieved with or without exercise. I only workout 2-3 times a week.
  • jhloves2knit
    jhloves2knit Posts: 266 Member
    I think you're overdoing it, especially since you're sore, tired, and have injuries. It's nice to exercise every day, but not as long and as hard as you're doing it. Three times a week is fine for fitness.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Should I workout, or should I just study and rest? I really don't know if I'm being lazy or if I need rest.

    It can be hard to tell, and lots of us struggle with just that. You're certainly not overdoing it - the human body is built to be in motion, there is no reason that it can't sustain your level of activity (and a hell of a lot more, actually). Ultimately, only you can answer this. :smile:

    Exercise is a hell of a good way to build a large caloric deficit - in fact, it's the only safe way to build a hell of a large caloric deficit - but it's not clear from your post if weight loss is your principle goal.
  • doodlecakes_07
    doodlecakes_07 Posts: 69 Member
    Enough for what? Weight loss is controlled by calorie deficit which can be achieved with or without exercise. I only workout 2-3 times a week.
    Honestly I'm not sure. Enough to maintain my fitness/weight, or possibly lose weight? I'm not so worried about losing weight, I just want to train the best I can, gain some muscle, lose some fat. I'm not too worried about numbers.
    So basically have I done enough this week, or should I do more?
  • doodlecakes_07
    doodlecakes_07 Posts: 69 Member
    [/quote]

    It can be hard to tell, and lots of us struggle with just that. You're certainly not overdoing it - the human body is built to be in motion, there is no reason that it can't sustain your level of activity (and a hell of a lot more, actually). Ultimately, only you can answer this. :smile:

    Exercise is a hell of a good way to build a large caloric deficit - in fact, it's the only safe way to build a hell of a large caloric deficit - but it's not clear from your post if weight loss is your principle goal.
    [/quote]

    It's so hard to tell! It's impossible for me to know the difference. I burned 1400+cals yesterday, and I'm not sure if I fueled up for it enough, so that might be why I'm feeling so tired. Thanks for assuring me I'm not overdoing it, I always just never know when to stop and when to keep going.
  • karl39x
    karl39x Posts: 586 Member
    Enough is NEVER ENOUGH! You keep pushing yourself until you feel like you're going to die, then keep going, and never stop... Unless you don't feel like it, then you can take a day off.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I aim for 5 days a week. Sometimes I get 6 or 7 days, and some weeks as few as 4. I think 5 days a week, at least 45 minutes each day, is a good goal. If you're not training for anything specific, that is.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I burned 1400+cals yesterday, and I'm not sure if I fueled up for it enough, so that might be why I'm feeling so tired.

    Yep, fatigue and not being able to improve (can't run faster, or farther) are classic signals of under-fueling.
  • vanguardfitness
    vanguardfitness Posts: 720 Member
    if your body wants to sleep then sleep
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    Enough for what? Weight loss is controlled by calorie deficit which can be achieved with or without exercise. I only workout 2-3 times a week.
    Honestly I'm not sure. Enough to maintain my fitness/weight, or possibly lose weight? I'm not so worried about losing weight, I just want to train the best I can, gain some muscle, lose some fat. I'm not too worried about numbers.
    So basically have I done enough this week, or should I do more?

    If you need a rest day then take a rest day. Also you may want to look into strength training if you are looking to change the look of your body rather than weight loss. If you really enjoy all that cardio, then keep some of it, but you will not "gain some muscle" from doing the elliptical :smile:

Categories