Working Out Twice A Day

rowlandk

I don't post on here very often, but I would really like some advice. I am trying very hard to get in shape for a cruise I am going on with my boyfriend on January 7, 2012. I would like to kick my exercise into high gear. I work a full time job and a part time job and I also go to school part time, but I work out Monday, Tuesday, Thursday afternoons (those are the days I don't have school or work after my full time job). However, now I am wondering about doing cardio every morning and doing strength training on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons? Does anyone here work out twice a day? Are there any benefits or anything I should keep in mind when trying this?

czechsmate

BUMP

MissMollieK

I sometimes work out twice a day- not focusing on strength or cardio- I do majority cardio- and the most I would remember is those days I tend to be hungrier and a bit more tired the following days. You will sleep like a baby though. Don't over do it! I don't know what else to tell you because I don't have nearly as busy of a schedule as you do. With as much as you have going on you will probably be much more tired. If you do too much you may even make yourself sick by lowering your immune system - just know what you are getting into! good luck!

rowlandk

Thank you very much for your words of caution on lowering my immune system. I'm famous for taking on too much at a time and making myself sick, but I LOVE being busy. Since I posted this on Tuesday, I have been trying to work out twice a day, doing cardio every morning for an hour at the gym and then weights for about 40 minutes right after work. Yes, I am tired, but I am now in love with doing cardio in the morning! I feel so alive when I'm finished and ready to start my day. By the time 5 rolls around, I'm getting tired again but going to the gym perks me right back up. And let me tell you, I have never been so sore! I think I push myself a lot harder during my two sessions than I did just in one session because by the time I got around to doing weights after cardio on a normal day, my muscles didn't want to function anymore! I think I am really liking this new routine, but I may be back here in two weeks telling you that I got the flu. lol

amys31

I have done double days often..I think your plan of cardio in the morning and weights in the afternoon is perfect. I would also suggest with you weight routine..doing a circuit. Really push yourself and add in a cardio station so that your getting the benefits of strength training, but still getting that heart rate up. Burns major calories. Dont forget to fuel yourself, drink water and take a day off..or your body will be WORN OUT and not useful!
good luck!!!

rowlandk

I don't know much about doing circuits. Is there anything you would suggest? I'm open to any type of exercise and love getting new opinions. Would I just do several different weight machines with a small amount of cardio in between? What type of cardio?

HollyMac20

Working out twice a day is great, if you have the time and take care of yourself. Like others have said above, you have to listen to your body and take care of it. Drink lots of water, take your vitamins and you may want to consider a post workout supplement drink or shake. This will give your body the protein it needs to build healthy muscles and replace the carbs is uses up during your workout. Just a scoop of protein powder or I really like muscle milk, especially after a heavy lifting session when you have torn your muscles up. Keep healthy snacks all around, so when hunger hits you have options and don't find yourself dashing for the vending machine.

Good luck!

rowlandk

Thanks everyone for the good advice. HollyMac20, what do you mix your protein powder with? I do try to keep healthy snacks around, but at my full time job we have a cook and she makes "down home" food so I can't really eat anything she makes and my part time job is at a country club so that's not really good for me either and sometimes smelling that yummy food every day drives me crazy!! Also, my boyfriend is a junkfood nut, but I have found that if I make a healthy dinner and don't tell him it's healthy (love the Hungry Girl 300 under 300 cookbook) then he eats it and loves it and I tell him afterwards. He will probably catch on soon.

amys31

In terms of circuits....you can do pretty much what you want.

Here is an example you will do as many as you can, quickly with good form for 45 seconds to a minute you want to use a weight that will be HARD, but that you can do for the entire time:

Exercise #1: squats with a overhead press.exercise #2 sit-ups on an incline with medicine ball #3 high knees or run in place #4 inner thigh machine with bicep curls. Rest(for a min.) after the first four exercises are done. Repeat this cycle 2-3 times.

If you are doing upper body in the gym say on Tuesday..add exercises that focus just on upper body/cardio...tricep extension, sit-ups, bicep curls, jumping jacks.
The key is to PUSH yourself, not to rest until after the cycle is completed.

Mix it up...challenge yourself...before you go to the gym, come up with a game plan of what exercises you will do and then the next gym day..hit different body parts...your heart rate will be pumping, fat/calories burning and you will SWEAT!
Its fun!! Good luck!

maura5880

Most days I hit the gym in the AM and do either elliptical, treadmill or bike and then at night I do 30DS. Seems to work out well!

HollyMac20

When mixing my protein or my muscle milk, I just use water. I have gotten to the point where I don't quite eat for taste anymore, I eat for fuel (most days, some days I just need pizza!) Almond milk is another good mixer for powder drinks. My lunchbox is my biggest tool. I pack it full of good stuff, add an ice pack and off I go for the day.