Too little or too much?

becca28602
becca28602 Posts: 3 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone know the 'recommended' amount someone should exercise? I started a fitness routine last month and have slowly built up what I can do. At the beginning I couldn't do more than 5 minutes without stopping and now its full on 30 minutes straight with maybe one to two 5 second stops. Below is what I am currently doing (at least 5 times a week during the week and just the body revolution on Saturday):

Morning: Body revolution by Jillian Michaels (whatever workout is on the calendar for the day)
Afternoon: Deltafit Speed Shred (alternating of HIIT, Endurance and Strength)
Night: Deltafit Sweat and Shed (Stretching mixed with Cardio)

Each one is roughly 30 minutes of workout time so it equals about an hour and a half plus what chasing a 1 yr old and 4 yr old around burns. I have had people tell me that is too much and some saying it is not enough. I am trying to lose weight, but I am just losing inches.

Any advice is appreciated.

Replies

  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,292 Member
    I'd say as long as you're not tired all the time it should be fine :-)
    It seems a bit much, but that all depends on the amount of effort you are putting into each and every session...
    For my part, I run an hour every other day and try to remember to do some lifting, so maybe I end up doing 1.5 hours every two days or so...
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I am trying to lose weight, but I am just losing inches.
    But?? Losing inches trumps a lower number on the scale! Losing inches means smaller sizes, less fat on your frame, PROGRESS! A lower number on your scale can mean a hormone shift, plenty of water the day before or any number of other things. Congrats on losing inches - that's awesome. No one sees the number on your scale, but they will notice a slimmer, fitter you! :bigsmile:

    As for whether or not it's too much exercise - I'd say definitely not too little, but potentially too much, depending on how you feel, and whether or not you're properly fueling your body for all this activity. Do too much and eat too little for too long, and you run the risk of eventual burn out and exhaustion - your body just can't keep up with the demands. Pay attention to your body, taking rest days regularly, and not pushing too hard and wearing yourself out.

    Make sure you are eating your calories (keep in mind that whatever your daily goal is, MFP has a deficit built into that BEFORE exercise - so you could eat to goal, do zero exercise and you'll lose - so eat those exercise cals back so you aren't left with an enormous deficit), drinking plenty of water, taking rest days, and getting good sleep (as best you can with two little ones!).
  • Kevalicious99
    Kevalicious99 Posts: 1,131 Member
    I am trying to lose weight, but I am just losing inches.

    Losing inches is for most people a wonderful thing. Someday you will learn to understand that.

    I personally will take an inch over a lb any day of the week ... inches totally win every time.
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    I don't think it's too much, but don't feel tied to doing it all all the time either. Consider parts of it optional so you don't burn out, imho. Certainly if you ever feel like it's too much to do, don't give up the whole thing :)

    And watch for injuries. You could get some overuse injuries that would need a bit of rest, so don't push through any tendon pain, etc. Lighten it up if you find that starting (not that it's a given at all).

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