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MyFitnessPal Community

Is this excessive or am I unevolved? Professionals please r

Hollycat

I just read a post that went something like this...

" Is this okay to do every day?

30 minute run
45 minutes of Zumba
1 hour of weights
30 minutes on trampoline
45 minutes TaeBo"

What?! Who DOES that? That's three and a half hours of intense exercise! Every day? Not to mention driving or running here and there to participate in these different activities. :noway:

I want to get healthy and fit, but this is completely beyond my comprehension. This same person eats next to nothing and admits much of what they do eat is junk. I am completely boggled. How does one get to this point and why? This behaviour looks more like a disorder than a drive to be healthy and others on this site were encouraging this person! Am I so far removed from that level of fitness and am I so unevolved in my own weight loss process that I am incapable of comprehending it? Is this really what it takes to be fit and healthy? :huh: Is my own expectation too low? I imagine myself at my ideal weight being willing and able to do about 30 to 60 minutes of intense exercise a day. I can't ever imagine myself wanting to do more than that. I get the whole endorphin thing. I do an elliptical trainer 20-25 minutes a day and I really enjoy the feeling I get. But three and a half hours? Maybe a hike to a specific destination, but three and a half hours or more of intense workouts? What?! Am I alone?

I'd appreciate hearing from professionals.

Hollycat
:flowerforyou:

Replies

circusmom

bump

erickirb

It seems excessive to me, but as long as you are fueling your body properly (eat your exercise calories) you should be fine.

kennie2

if you sit home and have no kids/job/social life then it might be doable

themommie

I agree with you, it sounds a bit overboard. I can't imagine doing intense exercise like that daily. Maybe once in awhile a hike or a day at the lake swimming (but that wouldnt be intense, LOL)......I think your expectations of doing 30-60 mins a day seem reasonable

shonasteele

Oh, you're not alone! I can't fathom a universe in which someone is capable of or willing to do all that, let alone to enjoy it! And are they really going to do that for the rest of their life??? I figure that I will do what I can for as long as I'm getting results and when I stop getting results I'll find a way to change it up in a way that I can fit into my life. I'll NEVER be that type of person, but that doesn't mean I can't achieve success in my own way - slow & steady, with everything in moderation.

Onesnap

Although I'm not a professional my Dad has done a lot of research and talks to a lot of experts on exercise science. I've learned a lot from him.

You have to vary your routine to get the best results and avoid injury. You can't do the same thing day after day after day and not get injured. This is why weight lifters vary the muscle groups that they work and also have rest days for their muscles to heal.

My teacher at my gym will often teach two different classes in a row in a single day. But she does not do that every single day of the week. People that work in my particular gym tend to burn more calories than the average person, but they also eat healthfully to support their calorie burn (many are nutrition experts as well).

HealthierIn2011

I just read a post that went something like this...

" Is this okay to do every day?

30 minute run
45 minutes of Zumba
1 hour of weights
30 minutes on trampoline
45 minutes TaeBo"

What?! Who DOES that? That's three and a half hours of intense exercise! Every day? Not to mention driving or running here and there to participate in these different activities. :noway:

I want to get healthy and fit, but this is completely beyond my comprehension. This same person eats next to nothing and admits much of what they do eat is junk. I am completely boggled. How does one get to this point and why? This behaviour looks more like a disorder than a drive to be healthy and others on this site were encouraging this person! Am I so far removed from that level of fitness and am I so unevolved in my own weight loss process that I am incapable of comprehending it? Is this really what it takes to be fit and healthy? :huh: Is my own expectation too low? I imagine myself at my ideal weight being willing and able to do about 30 to 60 minutes of intense exercise a day. I can't ever imagine myself wanting to do more than that. I get the whole endorphin thing. I do an elliptical trainer 20-25 minutes a day and I really enjoy the feeling I get. But three and a half hours? Maybe a hike to a specific destination, but three and a half hours or more of intense workouts? What?! Am I alone?

I'd appreciate hearing from professionals.

Hollycat
:flowerforyou:

I'm with you Hollycat. I have a job, family and many other things going on in my life ~ dedicating that much time would be impossible. I was "that person" in my early 20's working out 3-4 hours per day but it's not something you can stick with long term!

Larius

It is within the realm of possibility, but probably excessive for most people. There is something called Exorexia which applies to people who exercise too much, but I don't think it's considered a medical term yet. Exorexia often accompanies anorexia.

brianna626

I think this is excessive, I believe an hour a day of varied exercise is best. If you go on a hike as someone mentioned or spend half a day doing something active it is good and I think your body will benefit as long as you provide the right fuel but as far as that much everyday I feel that is too much!

aj_rock

I'm not a professional, but here's my two cents:

What makes you think this is 3 1/2 hours of *intense* activity?

If done correctly, Zumba and Taebo are medium to high intensity, and everything else depends very strongly on the person doing it.

For a lot of people, 1 hour of gym = maybe 20 minutes actually lifting weights and the rest spent talking to people.

Same with the run, I'd be more curious to see how far they happen to 'run' in 30 minutes.

Not saying this person might not be insane enough to do 3 1/2 hours of intense exercise, but its more likely that maybe 45 min - 1 hour is actually intense, and as exercise time goes up, intensity level drops dramatically.

Especially on a lowered calorie diet.

IMO, the only people you'll see doing more than two hours of medium intensity exercise, or any equivalent of, are people being paid very well to put in large amounts of work.

Just keep following MFP, maintain your metabolism, and stick it out =]

maxsdad9

Definitely an Endorphin Addict. What you are doing for exercise is fine. I never understood Ultra Marathoners, but to each their own.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

Before i went back to work I ran 3 days a week for 45 - 60 minutes, went to a step aerobics class (including the ones I taught) 3 - 4 days a week (60 minutes each) went to a weight lifting class (including the ones I taught) 3 days a week (60 minutes each), would take a spinning class 2 days a week, and tried to get something else in there too (yoga, stretch, pilates, Athletic conditioning). So thats: a minimum of 9:45 in a 5 day period without the bonus time (I always take off Sunday). It really depends on your body. Because of my body and fitness level I have to work out in excess to get a good solid burn. Unfortunately the smaller you are, the more efficient you are, and the harder it is to get a decent calorie burn.

jamie31

I just read a post that went something like this...

" Is this okay to do every day?

30 minute run
45 minutes of Zumba
1 hour of weights
30 minutes on trampoline
45 minutes TaeBo"

What?! Who DOES that? That's three and a half hours of intense exercise! Every day? Not to mention driving or running here and there to participate in these different activities. :noway:

I want to get healthy and fit, but this is completely beyond my comprehension. This same person eats next to nothing and admits much of what they do eat is junk. I am completely boggled. How does one get to this point and why? This behaviour looks more like a disorder than a drive to be healthy and others on this site were encouraging this person! Am I so far removed from that level of fitness and am I so unevolved in my own weight loss process that I am incapable of comprehending it? Is this really what it takes to be fit and healthy? :huh: Is my own expectation too low? I imagine myself at my ideal weight being willing and able to do about 30 to 60 minutes of intense exercise a day. I can't ever imagine myself wanting to do more than that. I get the whole endorphin thing. I do an elliptical trainer 20-25 minutes a day and I really enjoy the feeling I get. But three and a half hours? Maybe a hike to a specific destination, but three and a half hours or more of intense workouts? What?! Am I alone?

I'd appreciate hearing from professionals.

Hollycat
:flowerforyou:

I am not a professional but i look at that and dont really think its too excessive. This is an example of a normal workout week for me

Monday- AM ; lift (45- 50 min), Turbo Fire PM: Run 5-6 miles, Softball game
Tuesday - AM: Insanity, Turbo Fire HIIT PM: Insanity Asylum, Abs, Softball game
Wed- AM: lift ( 45-50min), Insanity Asylum PM: Run 5-6 miles
Thurs- AM: Turbo Fire HIIT, PM: Insanity or Insanity Asylum
Fri- AM: lift (45-50min), Turbo Fire PM: Run 5-6 miles, Softball double header
Sat- Turbo Fire HIIT, Insanity or Insanity Asylum, Run 6 miles

I normally take sundays off. And I eat about 2000-2200 calories a day ( I am 6'2")

sofaking6

I have to say, I think it's a bit gross that you started a thread just to rip on another member of this site.

But I'm not a professional.

cynthials

I have to say, I think it's a bit gross that you started a thread just to rip on another member of this site.

But I'm not a professional.

Gotta agree.

StrengthCoach0702

Why someone would train for 3 hours a day if they were not an athlete is beyond me. Just move for 45-75 minutes a day and you'll be ahead of 85% of the population. Do whats right for you and your goals, and ignore this type of stuff that makes you side- tracked and confused.

Somnifac

Why someone would train for 3 hours a day if they were not an athlete is beyond me.

Maybe they enjoy it? Crazy thought, I know.

rybo

To each thier own, I have no desire (and not even sure I could if I did) to exercise for 3-3.5 hrs a day, every day. Not enough hours in the day for that.

RangerSteve

Why someone would train for 3 hours a day if they were not an athlete is beyond me. Just move for 45-75 minutes a day and you'll be ahead of 85% of the population. Do whats right for you and your goals, and ignore this type of stuff that makes you side- tracked and confused.

Maybe because some people enjoy it? Maybe because some people are good at it?

StrengthCoach0702

Good at what? Overtraining? What is this persons goal of doing all these activities? Risk/Reward...Greater risk in training like that, then the reward you will get out of it.

johnwhitent

That particular schedule seems wacky to me, but thats just me. The time alloted for exercise is not necessarily crazy - if one has the time. If I didn't have to work I could easily see doing bike rides of two, three, four hours a day and strength training too. Not every day on the bike, but maybe a two or three hour trail run on alternating days. I know that HIIT is all the rage and it is good stuff, but I love long rides and runs. And throw in two or three swims each week. Hey, this is actually my dream life! Too bad I have to make a living.

RangerSteve

Good at what? Overtraining? What is this persons goal of doing all these activities? Risk/Reward...Greater risk in training like that, then the reward you will get out of it.

Do you even know what overtraining is?

Plenty of people (including myself) can train for 3+ hours a day without the negative side effects of overtraining. And who are you to tell someone that there isn't reward in training hard for multiple hours a day? Don't be THAT guy who thinks that because you don't do something, other people shouldn't do it. Not all of us want your lifestyle, whatever that might be.

Mindful_Trent

Do you have to exercise like that to be fit/healthy? NO. But that doesn't mean it's excessive. If I didn't have to spend 8 hours at work every day plus another hour driving, I'd probably be doing 2-3 hours of exercise (in some form) a day, because I like how it makes me feel. It DOES concern me that you say that person doesn't eat much - if you're going to exercise that much, you need to properly fuel your body... but the amount of exercise in of itself is not necessarily concerning. Just to emphasize - that doesn't mean everyone should exercise that much - it's very much an individual preference... but if you have the time and the desire and you do it in a healthy way, then why not?

toots99

I couldn't imagine doing 3.5 hours! I did two hour today and I'm ready to die.

But hey, to each their own.

StrengthCoach0702

They arent using this time to play a sport or activity. They are using it for high impact activity. All 3 hours of high impact activity, 7 days a week for a regular joe is absolutely over training. Even athletes leave a day for rest. Youre using yourself as an example after telling me that I shouldnt base this on my own training protocol, after I havent even stated what that may be.

RangerSteve

They arent using this time to play a sport or activity. They are using it for high impact activity. All 3 hours of high impact activity, 7 days a week for a regular joe is absolutely over training. Even athletes leave a day for rest. Youre using yourself as an example after telling me that I shouldnt base this on my own training protocol, after I havent even stated what that may be.

You said:

"Why someone would train for 3 hours a day if they were not an athlete is beyond me. Just move for 45-75 minutes a day and you'll be ahead of 85% of the population."

If you're referring specifically to the example in the original post, you're also wrong there since Tae Bo and tramponline work are not high impact. Even if it was, there are plenty of people who run marathons who do far more impact than that anyway. If you're not referring to the original post then you couldn't possibly be more wrong. Also, if exercise isn't a sport or an activity, what classification would you give it? If it's not an activity then I'm not sure what an activity is.......

Also, no one cares what your own training protocol is, just like no one cares what my training protocol is. The problem is that you're making broad statements which are false. Like I said, plenty of people can train 3+ hours a day without experiencing the effects of overtraining.

bunchesonothing

They arent using this time to play a sport or activity. They are using it for high impact activity. All 3 hours of high impact activity, 7 days a week for a regular joe is absolutely over training. Even athletes leave a day for rest. Youre using yourself as an example after telling me that I shouldnt base this on my own training protocol, after I havent even stated what that may be.

You said:

"Why someone would train for 3 hours a day if they were not an athlete is beyond me. Just move for 45-75 minutes a day and you'll be ahead of 85% of the population."

If you're referring specifically to the example in the original post, you're also wrong there since Tae Bo and tramponline work are not high impact. Even if it was, there are plenty of people who run marathons who do far more impact than that anyway. If you're not referring to the original post then you couldn't possibly be more wrong. Also, if exercise isn't a sport or an activity, what classification would you give it? If it's not an activity then I'm not sure what an activity is.......

Also, no one cares what your own training protocol is, just like no one cares what my training protocol is. The problem is that you're making broad statements which are false. Like I said, plenty of people can train 3+ hours a day without experiencing the effects of overtraining.

During the peak of my training, I will be at a 40 mile week running alone. 2 runs @ 50 minutes, 2 runs @ 100 or so minutes and 1 run @ 4 hours. I'm not paid. It will not be overtraining because I will have built my body up to do so. This does not include any time I will spend walking, biking at the gym, doing yoga, or weight training, etc. And running is considered high impact. I do it because I love it. I do it because it enables me to not only run marathons, but to run them faster and faster every time I try. And I add the extra exercise in there because, cross training and my other activities make me a stronger runner.

Hollycat

OK. Thanks everyone for responding. Super interesting and definitely food for thought. Much thought. Not much moving involved in thought, is there? By comparison [which I tend to avoid] I ... AM ... A ... SLUG. Bike for 4 hours straight? Run 100 minutes? I will admire you from a distance and try not to try to understand you. It kind of hurts.

Not much changes. I recall during my childhood wondering what on earth motivates people to get up and do things. Apparently, I'm still wondering. :ohwell:

I guess until I figure it out, I will continue to be the fat, mean cat that has no reason to run...unlike you slimcats that run for the fun of it...and just in case Rover comes along.

I just don't think I will ever 'get it', as I have to mentally beat myself with a stick to do the little regular physical activity I do [about 30 minutes a day], but the discussion was interesting.

Hollycat
:flowerforyou:

StrengthCoach0702

"If sufficient rest is not included in a training program then regeneration cannot occur and performance plateaus. If this imbalance between excess training and inadequate rest persists then performance will decline. Overtraining can best be defined as the state where the athlete has been repeatedly stressed by training to the point where rest is no longer adequate to allow for recovery. The “overtraining syndrome" is the name given to the collection of emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms due to overtraining that has persisted for weeks to months. Athletes and coaches also know it as "burnout" or "staleness." This is different from the day-to-day variation in performance and post exercise tiredness that is common in conditioned athletes. Overtraining is marked by cumulative exhaustion that persists even after recovery periods." site= Mark Jenkins, MD Rice University Prof.

That is in Athletes. What do you think will happen to a non-athlete? The same thing, only faster. All training protocols include rest periods/tapering/de-loading so that progression can be attained. I agree with you, trampoline is not high impact, I was definitely generalizing the multiple activities. Using Marathoners as an example is probably not the best one you could use. Tapering is involved in training for Marathons. Marathoners also have a goal, to complete one, or to improve on their next marathon. Is the example's goal to keep improving on jumping on a trampoline, or Tai Bo-ing?
I guess my gist was that I agree with the poster. Do all that stuff if it makes YOU happy, but don't recommend it to others who obviously don't have the same goals. In my humble opinion (that is all) I think all that is overkill for someone just trying to simply lose weight/feel fit.

songbyrdsweet

Sounds like fun to me!

The person will be at a greater risk of injury and overtraining/overreaching than someone doing less, but if they are highly trained and properly fed, they'll be fine. Your body will let you know when it's time to rest by hurting or making you unconscious (by that, I mean falling asleep).