How much exercise is too much?

alienelyssa21
alienelyssa21 Posts: 23
in Health and Weight Loss
So to give you a little detail, I am about 35 pounds over weight. I am also 5'3, but I did leave the ARMY earlier this year. I have been doing 30 Day Shred, maybe another one of her short videos, and walking my dog for 30 minutes each day. Taking a break whenever my body needs one. So the question is, how much exercise is too much?
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Replies

  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    You're 21. There is no such thing as too much right now for you. It's limitless.
  • alienelyssa21
    alienelyssa21 Posts: 23
    I was just scared that I was pushing myself too hard, too fast. Thanks
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    There's no way you could do that doing 30 day shred and walking a dog once a day. You could do both twice a day and still not hit your limit.
  • purpleipod
    purpleipod Posts: 1,147 Member
    Listen to your body and rest when you need to. Too much exercise can cause injuries that take a long time to heal, but you usually have to be doing some serious exercise for that. Just be careful.
  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    What you're doing it likely just fine. I am pretty sedentary from day to day, so I do 60 minutes (30 strength and 30 cardio) 5 days a week and walk 8,000-10,000 steps per day.

    This blog post talks about exercising more than 4,000 calories per week being counter productive, but you're likely nowhere near that number.

    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-you-shouldnt-burn-more-than-4000-calories-a-week-through-exercise/#axzz29wwLWUCv
  • Debbe2
    Debbe2 Posts: 2,071 Member
    The amount you're doing is not only ok, it's good for you! Keep it up!
  • amann1976
    amann1976 Posts: 742 Member
    i get 2 hours a day at least 6 days a week mostly 7 days though. 45 minutes of cardio 45 minutes of weights and 15 minutes of watching the girls in their tights running on the treadmill or purposely bending over and squating right in front of me... plus an additional 15 minutes talking to my gym friends about the going ons in the neighborhood
  • hmuh
    hmuh Posts: 379 Member
    Knowing when to take a break is the key. What you're doing sounds like a healthy amount. Just keep checking in with yourself. Great job girl! :)
  • alienelyssa21
    alienelyssa21 Posts: 23
    Thank you all for the replies, I appreciate it. It is very nice to know that I wont be over doing it. I just became serious about my weight when my size 12's were getting tight, and I refuse to buy any more pants. Now that I have started so has my husband. I just felt like I was over doing it though, since I just started last week.
  • Pinkigloopyxie
    Pinkigloopyxie Posts: 231
    It's too much when all you think about all day is exercising, if you cry because you can't get another 30 minute walk in that day after already burning 2000 cals, it's too much when you start losing sleep and avoiding work or other necessary activities in order ti exercise.

    Otherwise, you're okay. Exercising too much can become a mental disease just like anorexia and bulimia.
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    So to give you a little detail, I am about 35 pounds over weight. I am also 5'3, but I did leave the ARMY earlier this year. I have been doing 30 Day Shred, maybe another one of her short videos, and walking my dog for 30 minutes each day. Taking a break whenever my body needs one. So the question is, how much exercise is too much?

    What you are doing is perfect "Taking a break whenever my body needs one". Keep up that habit. Too many people rely on others to tell them what to do when you have the answer right there. That is exactly what I do and I'm almost 52. I lift weights 5-6 days a week, always changing it up with heavy, light, circuits, pyramids, super sets, etc. I do the same with running, 5-6 days a week always changing it up, HIIT, short fast runs, short easy runs, medium paced longer runs, and even longer runs. Always listening to my body and what it needs. Some routines make me more sore (HIIT, long runs, and pyramid lifting) so I might go 3 days in a row and then rest, then pick it back up, or I might throw in an easier run and a circuit. I don't try to force a certain schedule because it won't always match what my body needs.

    But if you lift every other day, cardio every other day, etc, you probably don't have to worry as much about rest if you simply rest one day a week or so. It won't kill you to go 2 weeks without a break once in a while if you are feeling good. It really is all about listening to your body and you are doing GREAT, so congratulations! :)
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    As long as you ave one day of rest per week, you should be fine as long as you are eating enough to fuel the exercise.
  • alienelyssa21
    alienelyssa21 Posts: 23
    Yeah, I do my diary is open, I make sure I eat everything I need to, and dont completely restrict myself :smile:
  • amann1976
    amann1976 Posts: 742 Member
    As long as you ave one day of rest per week, you should be fine as long as you are eating enough to fuel the exercise.

    varying your routine eliminates the need for rest days... if you are working a different muscle group every day then why should you need a rest day
  • jesz124
    jesz124 Posts: 1,004 Member
    i get 2 hours a day at least 6 days a week mostly 7 days though. 45 minutes of cardio 45 minutes of weights and 15 minutes of watching the girls in their tights running on the treadmill or purposely bending over and squating right in front of me... plus an additional 15 minutes talking to my gym friends about the going ons in the neighborhood

    Girls purposely squatting and bending over in front of you? Seriously. Highly doubtful judging by that post. Just urgh.
  • amann1976
    amann1976 Posts: 742 Member
    i get 2 hours a day at least 6 days a week mostly 7 days though. 45 minutes of cardio 45 minutes of weights and 15 minutes of watching the girls in their tights running on the treadmill or purposely bending over and squating right in front of me... plus an additional 15 minutes talking to my gym friends about the going ons in the neighborhood

    Girls purposely squatting and bending over in front of you? Seriously. Highly doubtful judging by that post. Just urgh.

    relax dont take everything so seriously...
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    Ideally at least 1 rest day a week is recommended.

    Although, I say as long as you listen to your body and take a break when you feel you need one then you'll be fine. There's no specific amount that's classed as overtraining as everyone's body is different.
  • tstancom
    tstancom Posts: 47 Member
    i get 2 hours a day at least 6 days a week mostly 7 days though. 45 minutes of cardio 45 minutes of weights and 15 minutes of watching the girls in their tights running on the treadmill or purposely bending over and squating right in front of me... plus an additional 15 minutes talking to my gym friends about the going ons in the neighborhood

    Girls purposely squatting and bending over in front of you? Seriously. Highly doubtful judging by that post. Just urgh.
    relax dont take everything so seriously...

    No, she's right. Your comment was offensive.
  • jhigg11
    jhigg11 Posts: 121 Member
    for long term maintenance purposes doing too much will become overwhelming and you won't be able to keep up. Keep it simple, and remember it's a marathon not a sprint. It's about a life time of great health not just to reach 1 day and then go backwards. Eating healthy is the bigger part of it.
  • nanainkent
    nanainkent Posts: 350 Member
    i get 2 hours a day at least 6 days a week mostly 7 days though. 45 minutes of cardio 45 minutes of weights and 15 minutes of watching the girls in their tights running on the treadmill or purposely bending over and squating right in front of me... plus an additional 15 minutes talking to my gym friends about the going ons in the neighborhood

    Girls purposely squatting and bending over in front of you? Seriously. Highly doubtful judging by that post. Just urgh.
    relax dont take everything so seriously...

    No, she's right. Your comment was offensive.

    I get the humor of it
  • jesz124
    jesz124 Posts: 1,004 Member
    i get 2 hours a day at least 6 days a week mostly 7 days though. 45 minutes of cardio 45 minutes of weights and 15 minutes of watching the girls in their tights running on the treadmill or purposely bending over and squating right in front of me... plus an additional 15 minutes talking to my gym friends about the going ons in the neighborhood

    Girls purposely squatting and bending over in front of you? Seriously. Highly doubtful judging by that post. Just urgh.
    relax dont take everything so seriously...

    No, she's right. Your comment was offensive.

    I get the humor of it

    Oh yeah he's a proper comedian, I was literally rolling around my living room laughing at that post. In fact I think my sides have just split.....
  • ObtainingBalance
    ObtainingBalance Posts: 1,446 Member
    What you're doing it likely just fine. I am pretty sedentary from day to day, so I do 60 minutes (30 strength and 30 cardio) 5 days a week and walk 8,000-10,000 steps per day.

    This blog post talks about exercising more than 4,000 calories per week being counter productive, but you're likely nowhere near that number.

    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-you-shouldnt-burn-more-than-4000-calories-a-week-through-exercise/#axzz29wwLWUCv

    Interesting... Thanks for sharing that link!

    Also, I don't think you would be catorgized as sedentary when you work out that much...=)
    I have my settings set as sedentary and I eat back exercise calories... if thats what you mean then okay.
  • BelleHeart
    BelleHeart Posts: 281 Member
    Listen to your body and rest when you need to. Too much exercise can cause injuries that take a long time to heal, but you usually have to be doing some serious exercise for that. Just be careful.

    I agree with this. You don't want to hurt yourself!!
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    do your joints hurt? are you having trouble sleeping? do you find yourself getting sniffles and colds more than usual? is your resting heart rate elevated?
    those are some of the signs of too much exercise. if you dont have those and you still feel good and you are eating enough calories then i say go for it.

    also take other people' advice with a grain of salt. many people are extraordinarily lazy so to the anything more than 90 minutes of exercise a week puts you at risk for overexercising.

    when i workout 2+ hours a day i do definitely break that up into 2 or more sessions though.
  • alienelyssa21
    alienelyssa21 Posts: 23
    My thing is I do a 20 minute video or two, then take a nice walk with my dog, not fast because I am using it to cool down
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    It sounds like routine is working for you. "Too much" is always relative to the individual. Just make sure you are eating enough for your activity level, and you'll be fine.
  • nphect
    nphect Posts: 474
    the perfect answer for me to any question about whether your pushing to hard or if your working hard enough is heart rate training, get your self a heart rate monitor.
  • alienelyssa21
    alienelyssa21 Posts: 23
    I cant really afford one at the moment, I just go by how I feel, wether or not my body just needs a shorter workout, or to just not workout that day
  • nphect
    nphect Posts: 474
    well maybe you shouldn't be doing a "30 day shred". Just jog a mile or 2 everyday and see how that feels.
  • alienelyssa21
    alienelyssa21 Posts: 23
    Thats the thing, I cant jog or run, I can only walk. When I was in the ARMY I ended up tearing my cartilidge in my hip, and then later developed osteoarthritis,so walking and thirty day shred is about all my body can handle

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