Too Much Exercise?

helloimangela

Is it bad to work out 2-3 times a day? Sometimes I work out in the morning before I go to work, during my lunch break and then after work... It's spread throughout the day and I usually eat back most of my workout calories, but this last week I only lost 1 pound and that's when I started working out twice a day... Any input?

The majority of my workouts consist of both high and low intensity cardio, some weight training and the evenings (if I work out 3 times in a day) would be a class. Usually along the lines of kickboxing, circuit training, yoga... That type of thing.

lclarkjr

Two-three times per day isn't bad, as long as you are also taking rest days too. Doing it 7 days a week, though is probably counterproductive. Make sure you are resting your body enough and giving it enough fuel to endure so much exercise.

SenoraMacias

Good question- I do the same. Would like to know what others think. I don't think you can really exercise "too much" though, as long as you're getting adequate nutrition!

szczepj

There are studies out there that say working out multiple times a day is better for you. I'm not entirely sure but I wouldn't see why it would be a problem!

HoopFire5602

Listen to your body. If it feels like too much, step back from something. Only your body can tell you when it is too much. If you are exhausted, have odd aches that weren't there before and aren't getting better....good examples of doing too much.
Also, remember that you won't always be dropping a few pounds a week. The rate does slow down.

if you start doing it for the wrong reasons (to burn off something you ate for example) you need to see a doc. I suffered with exercise bulimia for a few years and it is no joke. There is such a thing as too much working out.

mccrockl

I honestly don't know, but I had to make some changes to the way that I was doing things. First, I think sometimes you get too much credit for the exercise so I only count about three fourths of my workout so that I don't overeat. Also, I was working out for about an hour and a half 6 days a week and I wasn't losing much. I changed to working out three days a week and I have started losing more. Plus, I feel a lot better. I was starting to get miserable, feeling tired every day.

lallaloolly

i think it is most important to strike a balance you can maintain as a lifestyle. working out 2-3 times a day could easily lead to burnout. be patient with the weight loss, losing 0.5- 1 pound a week is healthy.

JennLifts

In my opinion, if you're working out an excess of 2 hours a day of set aside, intentional exercise, you're over doing it. If you're going for a walk during lunch, lifting before, and doing cardio after, good deal. But if you're doing a lot in all 3, it's not really helping you by doing that much.

adedonder

From a physical standpoint (in regards to weight loss and general health) I don't think there is a problem with working out this much. But, from a psychological standpoint, you might be bordering on addiction. Just be sure that you don't over do it and are comfortable backing off of this behavior once you reach your goals. If you have recently increased the intensity or amount of your work outs, you are probably building more muscle than you were before and the weight loss on the scale could be lower because of that. But, remember that you are decreasing your body fat percentage, shrinking your body size, and increasing your metabolism as a result of this.

SenoraMacias

In my opinion, if you're working out an excess of 2 hours a day of set aside, intentional exercise, you're over doing it. If you're going for a walk during lunch, lifting before, and doing cardio after, good deal. But if you're doing a lot in all 3, it's not really helping you by doing that much.

I agree- I walk in the morning, walk at lunch, and jog/lift weights after work. So all in all, I only have one intense workout. I just think of the two walks as a bonus.

katattack

As long as you're still listening to your body and resting, I'd say that sounds like an AMAZING way to spend a day! My mood will usually be the first indicator that I'm over-exercising. And then if I'm craving tons of crap, I have to be like "Oh, I'm maybe being too anal/restrictive, i need to just chill"

As other people have mentioned, it all depends on the kind of workout, how hard you're working, etc. The body will self-regulate to a certain extent. So, by the 3rd workout, you're not going to be working as hard as during your first. And maybe the next two days after a REALLY intense workout, you'll pull back a little bit before you hit your stride again.

That being said, i'm green with envy! I love jumping/running around, and kicking/punching too, but have found it hard to find the time lately

AZTrailRunner

Triathletes do it alllllll of the time... I used to. The catch though, is that you NEED to take rest days or you'll run into "overtraining", which leads nowhere good.

The challenge will be feeding and hydrating yourself sufficiently, and avoiding injury.

If you wake up exhausted, start getting light-headed, have a higher-than-normal resting heart rate, seem overly moody, pass out, start getting colds, then you have pushed yourself too much, and need time off.

Better make sure you are taking a multi-vitamin and other supplements. Working out this much shouldn't be taken lightly or your body will pay the price.

helloimangela

Thank you for your responses! I'm totally happy with losing 1 lb a week. I don't try to give myself unrealistic goals to reach. As for working out, I do it because I've come to really enjoy it! I feel so great and accomplished after a good workout. I'm definitely not exhausting myself though. If I ever feel tired, or I'm just not feeling it, I'll skip that workout. I try to work out 6 days a week with 1 rest day, but if I feel I need an extra rest day, I'll take it. I just like to work out during my lunches because it's a lot better than sitting around dreaming about going into the bakery across the street from my office to buy a giant, delicious red velvet cupcake.

rodneyderrick

I work out twice a day, but it isn't to lose weight. It's because I'm training for the fall races. If you're working out too much, your body may have a harder time letting go of some of the water weight, because with increased eating, you have increased sodium intake, and that leads to water retention.

ccmulder5

ok.. so, i'm reading this and can't help but wonder.. while watching those shows like Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.. they put these people on a restricted calorie diet and they do 4 hours of cardio per day.. are they infact sending the wrong message? the shows for me are a great inspiration, and keep me motivated to do more each and everyday.. (by no means 4 hours though!!)

AZTrailRunner

ok.. so, i'm reading this and can't help but wonder.. while watching those shows like Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.. they put these people on a restricted calorie diet and they do 4 hours of cardio per day.. are they infact sending the wrong message? the shows for me are a great inspiration, and keep me motivated to do more each and everyday.. (by no means 4 hours though!!)

You bet! It's all for entertainment value, and is unrealistic for the average person, and many of the show's participants are unlikely to make it a permanent lifestyle change.

melizerd

ok.. so, i'm reading this and can't help but wonder.. while watching those shows like Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.. they put these people on a restricted calorie diet and they do 4 hours of cardio per day.. are they infact sending the wrong message? the shows for me are a great inspiration, and keep me motivated to do more each and everyday.. (by no means 4 hours though!!)

I agree, those people don't work jobs, deal with their families during that time.

rodneyderrick

ok.. so, i'm reading this and can't help but wonder.. while watching those shows like Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.. they put these people on a restricted calorie diet and they do 4 hours of cardio per day.. are they infact sending the wrong message? the shows for me are a great inspiration, and keep me motivated to do more each and everyday.. (by no means 4 hours though!!)

They are definitely sending the wrong messages, and it upsets me because people are actually hurting themselves thinking they have to do that much exercise to lose weight. Working out is a good thing, and a quick way to get in your physical activity for the day; but to think it's the key to your weight-loss is a mission in futility. Remember this, you can't out exercise your diet. If you overeat, exercise will not help you wear a smaller sized pair of pants.

helloimangela

I'm definitely taking vitamins and making sure my nutrition is healthy and fulfilling! I feel really good about my nutrition and exercise, but I guess I just wanted to know if that was effecting my weight loss. I'm more concerned with inches, but I'd love to keep shedding the weight! I definitely don't want to lose my weight in an unhealthy way. I want this to last!

ccmulder5

well.. i guess it's still good for motivational purposes.. i am currently taking advantage of the free time that ido have now that i'm living alone and no school until the end of august.. (more free time than i know what to do with!!) i'm filling that up with extra workouts.. striving for burning 1000 cals per day.. really watching my food intake.. etc.. is that bad??

27strange

I like to work out twice a day, split it up. Keeps me motivated and helps me avoid binge eating in the evenings (Idle hands and mind in the evening leads to snacking). Currently I do 50 minutes in the morning, 20 minutes circuit training and 30 minutes elliptical. Evenings I run 3+ miles.

And sometimes at lunch I will walk 20 minutes just depends on the day.

Spreading it out seems beneficial and good for the body. Proper nutrition is of course important.

helloimangela

well.. i guess it's still good for motivational purposes.. i am currently taking advantage of the free time that ido have now that i'm living alone and no school until the end of august.. (more free time than i know what to do with!!) i'm filling that up with extra workouts.. striving for burning 1000 cals per day.. really watching my food intake.. etc.. is that bad??

I haven't seen the extreme makeover show, but I love to watch Biggest Loser. But everyone is right. Those results are not realistic and sometimes people don't realize that and it can often do more harm than good. However, there's nothing wrong with it motivating you! I get so pumped when I watch Biggest Loser!

I think if you even set yourself to burn 3500 calories in a week, it's a win! You need to remember to eat back your exercise calories though because even though you may lose a few more pounds at first, it'll throw your body into starvation mode. Starvation mode = not good.

helloimangela

I like to work out twice a day, split it up. Keeps me motivated and helps me avoid binge eating in the evenings (Idle hands and mind in the evening leads to snacking). Currently I do 50 minutes in the morning, 20 minutes circuit training and 30 minutes elliptical. Evenings I run 3+ miles.

And sometimes at lunch I will walk 20 minutes just depends on the day.

Spreading it out seems beneficial and good for the body. Proper nutrition is of course important.

Ditto! I notice I like to eat more at night. Not because I'm hungry, but because I get bored. So I'd much rather work out, eat dinner while I veg out in front of the tv for an hour and then hit the sack. I don't do INTENSE workouts each time I work out. I like to push myself, but mainly I just like to keep my body moving.