How much exercise is too much?

rsylvester

I am new to working out as an adult. I was a soccer player and cross-country runner growing up (I was in fantastic shape) but college got in my way.

Now I have just turned 28 and I don't want to be flabby, so I've started trying to get in better shape. My friend and I have decided to meet every morning at the gym during the week, and here is our typical routine:

Monday - Friday; Walk/Run on Treadmill 30 mins (just started C25K Monday); 20-30 minutes of weights (Arms one day, legs the next, alternating) and then 10 mins of ab work.

Generally takes us 70 minutes to complete our workout.

This is the 2nd week that we've been doing this. Now that I'm working out, I love it. I can't wait to go to the gym. All I can think about is a flat stomach, great calf muscles, and great triceps.

Is this workout okay? Or am I doing too much too fast? I'm not worried about burn-out, but other people around me are. Is it okay to do this routine 5 times/week?

Also - what reps should we be doing? Right now we are doing 2 sets of 10 per machine.

Thanks for any help/support/advice!!

CasperO

I've been doing 30+ minutes on the elliptical OR 45 minutes out on the bicycle, M-W-F

and,

30+ minutes on the elliptical OR 45 minutes out on the bicycle + a vicious 45 minute full body weights routine, T-Th-Saturday (ah saturdays,,, love my saturdays).

I do supplement with 52grams of whey protein on weights days. I'm not losing weight, but making excellent progress otherwise. Odd, since I'm still on a 500 cal a day deficit.

Anywho - I've been doing this for months and it's working well for me. Your routine is pretty similar. Shouldn't be a problem.

lisaisso

hey!
i turned 30 this year, and why does my routine sound exactly like yours almost?!?!
i do 30 minutes on the elliptical, weights everyday-alternating upper and lower body..
now i just need to work in that ab work! :laugh:
i've lost 17 pounds, and most importantly, 14.5 inches since March. i've slowed down, but am still seeing results..
starting to love my calves, quads, hamstrings.. i even feel a tricep where i didn't before!
keep at it, you're doing awesome!:drinker:

kimberjones

hey!
i turned 30 this year, and why does my routine sound exactly like yours almost?!?!
i do 30 minutes on the elliptical, weights everyday-alternating upper and lower body..
now i just need to work in that ab work! :laugh:
i've lost 17 pounds, and most importantly, 14.5 inches since March. i've slowed down, but am still seeing results..
starting to love my calves, quads, hamstrings.. i even feel a tricep where i didn't before!
keep at it, you're doing awesome!:drinker:

Okay you and I need to converse. Our weight goals seem similar (except I've got a little more weight to lose) and I've been doing this since 7/25. I've lost about 15 pounds and maybe 8 inches. I'm getting frustrated now because I'm not losing any more weight so I'd be really interested in your everyday weight work so I can add that to my bike riding and see if that kicks things up. I don't have an elliptical. :indifferent:

rsylvester

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for replying! I didn't think I was "over-doing" it, but others have told me that I was, so I was starting to doubt myself. So, thanks so so much for the replies. Doubting myself, over!!

CasperO - I love my Saturdays too! It sounds like you are doing well with the weights, so maybe you haven't lost weight, but you've lost inches? That's awesome! Good for you!

lxm1992 - yes, our workouts sound the same! So funny! It feels great though right? My least favorite is working the abs, but hopefully the pain will be worth something one day 14.5 inches is great!!! That's fantastic! I'm only on week 2 of working out, so you definately just gave me motivation to keep doing this routine!

How long did it take ya'll before you starting noticing any results? I think I've lost maybe 1 pound in the past 2 weeks (but I did go tailgating so I killed my diet last weekend).

SHBoss1673

this sounds like a decent routine, just remember, change things up every 6 or 8 weeks so you can keep the intensity up. Muscle adaptation is a big reason why exercise stops being as effective. You want your muscles in a constant state of confusion when working out.

Other than that, go for it, this doesn't sound like too much to me.

CasperO

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for replying! I didn't think I was "over-doing" it, but others have told me that I was, so I was starting to doubt myself. So, thanks so so much for the replies. Doubting myself, over!!

CasperO - I love my Saturdays too! It sounds like you are doing well with the weights, so maybe you haven't lost weight, but you've lost inches? That's awesome! Good for you!

<<snip snip snip>>

I lost close to 60 pounds between January and July and probably got below 20% bodyfat. What I meant was that I'm not losing "anymore". Since July I've been doing weights and supplementing protein and now I'm gaining lean mass and losing fat and therefore pretty much maintaining weight. At this point I'm close to 14% bodyfat.

Ya, I've lose a ton of inches. 12 inches off my waist. Look at my old pic of me in the brown shirt :noway: .

As a female, you shouldn't have to worry about building much muscle mass. Your workout should make you stronger and tighter and lighter and you're really going to enjoy this,,, Have fun.