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MyFitnessPal Community

How much is Too much?

smplycomplicated

How much is too much when it comes to daily exercise? I know that might be a strange/dumb question,But i am being told i am working out too much. I know i haven't been eating as much as i should, and i'm trying to change that. I just haven't had a big appetite lately. I do my "big" workout in the mornings. which is about an hour. I change it up a bit each day so i don't get bored, but an example is

Wii- Zumba- 20 mins.
Stepper- 10 mins.
jumping jacking- 2 sets of 40
squats- 100 (I'm a member of the 100 squats a Day challenge on MFP)
crunches- 50 upper, 50 lower

Then in the afternoon I will do one of my Jillian DVD's either the backside, or the Kettlebell one. I will be starting the 30 day shred on the 2nd with a MFP group, So I will be doing the Shred first thing in the morning instead of the Zumba.

after my afternoon DVD workout i do Just dance 2 or 3 on the Wii for about 30 mins.

So all in all i workout for an hour in the morning, and about an hour in the afternoon. I switch it up each day so i avoid muscle cramps as much as possible, and i dont get bored.

Replies

honeysprinkles

If you are enjoying it, I don't think that is too much.

squishycow7

I envy your amount of exercise

I don't think there's a right answer to this. As long as your body feels good and you're not being obsessive (like, omg if I don't work out I'm a failure and I hate myself) then I say keep at it. Do what feels right for your body.

Me personally, I'd probably be exhausted. BUT that's just me.. I'm not in your shoes!

thamre

I don't think that is too much. I personally will work out for an 1 1/2 in the morning and sometimes another 1 1/2 in the evening.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I guess it depends on why people are concerned that you're working out too much. If you're under eating maybe your family/friends are worried that you're developing an unhealthy body image. However if you're enjoying your workouts and eating healthy (and enough to fuel your body through intense workouts) I don't think what you're doing sounds like too much.

auticus

Two hours of working out a day is not really doing "too much". In the army, we would do 60-90 minutes of PT in the morning, followed by sports int he afternoon or evening, easily doing 3 hours or more. Not regularly, but 2 hours a day is not something I'd consider "too much".

The thing you have to watch out for is over training and injury. A boat I'm in now with a bad achilles heel and a herniated disc in my back from going at it hard with no breather.

Now I can't really workout at all until I'm healed.

bilzprincess

fuel ur tank and try not to have too many calories left over at the end of day. if ur building muscle the weight will come off in its own time. but if ur exercising AND not eating enough calories, i think u sense something is out of balance. otherwise u probably wouldn't have asked. balance. 2 hrs of exercise is ok i would think; it's the "not-enough-food" part that turns it out of balance.

Scoobies100

Do you have rest days? It is important to have rest days. When I first started exercising and I was out of work I used to exercise twice a day for several days in a row. One time I did it for 13 days straight without a rest and damaged the tendons in my foot and could barely walk (let alone exercise) for 2 weeks.

So I would say that as long as you are stretching and resting then go for it!

carrie_eggo

It is too much if you're not meeting your calorie goal. If you're going to work out that much you need to eat more. I took a look at your diary and you have over 1000 calories left at the end of the day. You are severely depriving your body when you over train and under eat. Your body is most likely cannibalizing muscle and your metabolism is going to slow down to a halt. You need to eat more food to meet your calorie and macro nutrient goals if you want to exercise that much.

Sul3i

I guess it depends on why people are concerned that you're working out too much. If you're under eating maybe your family/friends are worried that you're developing an unhealthy body image. However if you're enjoying your workouts and eating healthy (and enough to fuel your body through intense workouts) I don't think what you're doing sounds like too much.

This!*

smplycomplicated

I think they're a bit worried because i'm not eating as much as i should. I do tend to beat myself up a bit if for some reason i'm not able to do my entire workout. I look at it like I'm doing what i feel is comfortable for me( well nowhere in the history of the world is 100 squats comfortable. ) I don't feel i'm over doing it, So i guess that's all that matters. I just need to eat more. I bought a few packs of the premade Body for Life Shakes, And those have helped me a good bit.. If i don't feel like Breakfast, i'll just have a shake. I've also been doing my best to eat 6 small meals a day..even if it's something tiny like a few carrots.

I took my beginning measurements the 10th. I have been really tempted to check them now, instead of wait till Jan. 10. I'm excited, and dreading it at the same time! lol. I know there is a difference..I have to wear a belt with my jeans now. my shirts fit a lil differently, and my husband has been commenting on my lack of muffin top lol.

smplycomplicated

Do you have rest days? It is important to have rest days. When I first started exercising and I was out of work I used to exercise twice a day for several days in a row. One time I did it for 13 days straight without a rest and damaged the tendons in my foot and could barely walk (let alone exercise) for 2 weeks.

So I would say that as long as you are stretching and resting then go for it!

I tend to take it easier on Sunday. It's our "family Day" My husband works 6 days a week, so we're usually away from the house more on SUnday. Sunday is also my "free" day. I give myself one day a week to eat whatever i want (still watching portions ofcourse)

I do add in Yoga moves to my mornings warm ups before and after my morning and afternoon workouts to help stretch, and cool down.

Meggles63

It is too much if you're not meeting your calorie goal. If you're going to work out that much you need to eat more. I took a look at your diary and you have over 1000 calories left at the end of the day. You are severely depriving your body when you over train and under eat. Your body is most likely cannibalizing muscle and your metabolism is going to slow down to a halt. You need to eat more food to meet your calorie and macro nutrient goals if you want to exercise that much.

THIS^^^ you are NOT eating enough with the amount of exercising you do.

smplycomplicated

It is too much if you're not meeting your calorie goal. If you're going to work out that much you need to eat more. I took a look at your diary and you have over 1000 calories left at the end of the day. You are severely depriving your body when you over train and under eat. Your body is most likely cannibalizing muscle and your metabolism is going to slow down to a halt. You need to eat more food to meet your calorie and macro nutrient goals if you want to exercise that much.

THIS^^^ you are NOT eating enough with the amount of exercising you do.

Yeah. THis has been my problem. I've had to make myself eat. I would have days that i would get so busy with everything that i would stop and realize i haven't had anything to eat. I am going to make it to atleast 1200 each day (even though that should probably be higher.) I'm still learning about the calorie intake, so honestly i'm not sure what # i should be shooting for, But i figured if i can get to atleast 1200 thats a start!

eellis2000

shoot for the number MFP gives you!!

Shredded2011

Ha don't worry from experience you cannot do too much.
When your boday aches thye next day and you feel so sore its ridiculious - thats too much

Weights try 45 mins to 1 hour - if its heavy enough you really don't need more than this - I'm not going into why etc but I can do a session in 20 mins sometimes.

Cardio - It doesn't matter as long as your feeling ok.
I have done a 7 mile run over a few hours with some walking and the dog.
I have done 2 to 3 cardio sessions a day and been ok - you will get really quick results doing this. But it depends on your lifestyle if your single its fine if you have a family they will think your bonkers.

I would'nt worry about too much - you'll know when you have done too much - - Trust me.

Oh and good luck with your goals

Shelly XX

smplycomplicated

Thanks!

KyleB65

Are you on target for your weight lose?

Are you having fun?

Are you experiencing any post exercise pain? (note - pain, not tightness or muscle soreness)

If you are on track for your weight loss, having fun and not in any pain. Keep it up, you are okay.

Good luck and have fun!

bcattoes

If you have the time and are eating enough to keep your body fueled, it doens't sound like too much to me.

jlr_12

A lot of people commenting have obviously not looked at your food diary. I'm glad you know that you should be eating more. A LOT more. The calorie # you should be aiming for is the one MFP gives you AFTER you've included your exercise. Most days that seems to be over 2000 (even if you ate 1800 you'd be doing a lot better than you are now. Seems like a lot, but if you want to work out like an athlete, you need to eat like one). If you're losing weight now, trust me, it WILL stop. You're netting a negative number of calories most days. That means your body is getting ZERO fuel, and must resort to basically eating itself (your muscle tissue). The exercise is not the issue here at all. Good for you for burning that much! Just know that it will only help you long term if you're eating enough to fuel it.

hush7hush

It doesn't seem like anything too extensive, so I'd say you're doing great!

A big goal is to be more active overall, and it seems like you're definitely doing that! Great job.

mrschappet

It is too much if you're not meeting your calorie goal. If you're going to work out that much you need to eat more. I took a look at your diary and you have over 1000 calories left at the end of the day. You are severely depriving your body when you over train and under eat. Your body is most likely cannibalizing muscle and your metabolism is going to slow down to a halt. You need to eat more food to meet your calorie and macro nutrient goals if you want to exercise that much.

^^^ THIS ^^^

dmpizza

I know people that do more.
The issue is to not create an injury by repetition.

RAFValentina

Your workout is DEFINITELY not too much to be doing daily.

SquishyVicki

There is no such thing as exercising too much - look at how much athletes need to train to keep themselves in shape for their sport. As long as you keep your body heathy, fuelled and injury free then you can train as much as you like. It seems like the key for you is that you need to keep it fuelled.

Exercising a lot but not eating enough can do as much damage to your body and metabolism as being obese.....you need to take care of yourself. Use the tools on this site to ensure that you are eating the required amount.