how often should i excercise?

healthysew

I tried to search through the boards to answer my own question, but I am having difficulty. I hear many different things about exercising, some people say to exercise at least 30 mins a day others say to take rest days. I don’t understand how to plan out my workouts?

Right now the main excercises I do and try to rotate are the 30 Day shred video , 30 minute walks and a 40 minute yoga/pilates video. Im trying to figure out a good rotation and how to make sure I do it in a manner that wont lead me to getting hurt or burned out.

I’m new to all of this so be nice Any suggestions/advice or help would be much appreciated. Also feel free to add me as a friend!!

mamabearr

I try to work out 5 days a week, usually around an hour a day. I don't work out on weekends unless it's going for a walk with my daughter around the neighborhood.

JennsLosing

i normally work out mon-friday...like mamabearr, i may talk a walk or leisurely bike ride with my kiddo on the weekend.

JennsLosing

i normally work out mon-friday...like mamabearr, i may talk a walk or leisurely bike ride with my kiddo on the weekend.

and i normally work out from about an hour to hour and half.

KansasGal

i try to do at least a half an hour two days in a row and then take my third day off from "working out". but i may go on a walk with my kids or play at the park with them. Lately i have been able to do an hour workout for two days and the third off. i tend to lose more after my off days. everyones body is different. try different things and see what works for you!

oh and whether it is a off day or workout day, i still count my calories really closely!

jasonsbabe97

I've heard many things too. I go by my own body because I don't want to overdue it. I don't know if you have a chance to go to a Nutritionist or not (I know I thought: what? Really? when my husband suggested it to me) however it's really helped me. She helped because just having someone private to talk with that didn't judge me & kept me thinking positive that I could do it helped me to see where I could make wiser choices in my eating. I DO have a sweet tooth & I DO love my food so I started with the most simple thing you can change right away which was to measure my food according to the portion serving sizes, drinking lots of water & counting calories & I lost 10 pounds just doing that without exercising. Now I do get tired of water but I've been told that Crystal Light does count towards your water intake as long as the SODIUM in it is under 15 mg. Since I started exercising (only about 2-3 times a week) for about 30 minutes on the treadmill & 10-15 on the stationary bike at the gym I lost another 6 pounds. So- that's just to give you an idea what I've been doing that works. I've heard that just 20-30 minutes a day is all you need as long as you have you heart rate up where it needs to be during those 20-30 minutes. I also did not completely give up all the things I enjoy eating, just cut back quite a bit. Also if you get a day where you gave in & ate whatever you wanted they say do not be hard on yourself (this one was a hard one for me to learn because I am very hard on myself when I do that)- they say tomorrow is another day & to wake up fresh & start again. I'm also a wife & Mother of 4 children & wanted to do something that would be okay with the whole family (youngest being 2 & his needs run different than my husband whose been battling with high cholesterol). So after searching & reviewing I decided to purchase THE BIGGEST LOSER'S FAMILY COOKBOOK & we've already tried quite a few recipes in there & we love them & it's well worth the money. Sorry this was so long, I do hope it helps.

UnoDiamante

I think at least 3 days per week...Cardio you can pretty much do everyday but if you are strength training, only every other day because your muscles need a day to rest in between.

BamBam1113

30 minutes of cardio everyday is great for your body. The strength training is where the rest comes in. your muscles need time to rest. I work out (cardio + strength training) M-W-F then something fun on the Sat like hiking. Sunday I may rest, but if im feeling froggy I may go do my cardio anyways. Then rest Mon. Work out T-Th-Sat. Repeat. But go by what your body tells you you can do too.