Feed back please...

Tony_Brewski
Tony_Brewski Posts: 1,376 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Ok do I redo my weekly goal?

Weekly Total / Goal
(minutes) 750 / 840
(Calories) 9781 / 7000

My weekly goal is 840 minutes of exercise and 7000 total calories burned. This week I hit 750 mintues and 9781 calories burned. Should I keep it at 7000 or increase it up to 10000? I'm eating enough and feel fit as a fiddle. Just need better sleep at night is about the only thing I'm lacking in.

Replies

  • Tony_Brewski
    Tony_Brewski Posts: 1,376 Member
    Anyone? ^Bump^
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I have two things on this:

    1. I wouldn't worry about what your goal states. That's just something as a reminder, and usually it's more helpful for people that do very little exercise. When I was doing a ton of exercise, I would double my goal or more every week but I never really looked at that number anyway.

    2. I'd like to hear other takes on this, but that seems like a TON of exercise to me. For perspective, my own goals are set for 45 mins 4x per week and a total of 2000 calories. So before I cut out doing cardio, I was hitting maybe 4700 cals burned on a week full of running, lifting, jumping and spinning. Now I'm not even hitting the 2000 with just 3 days of lifting and 2 rope jumping sessions a week. 7000 to 10,000 sounds like a monster number to me, and since MFP adds your exercise calories back in, it seems like you're just forcing yourself to eat a ton more food to attempt to keep the numbers in line. I don't think that high of a number is necessary to lose weight. (You may, of course, hit that number if you're training for a big goal, like a marathon or triathlon or something. But in that case your target is distance run vs time, and the calories are just a byproduct. Since you're only asking calories, I'm assuming this isn't the case)

    Obviously, size makes a difference in burn rate. I'm 6'1, 239 now, and when I started i was 276.
  • magj0y
    magj0y Posts: 1,911 Member
    This is just my mathematical opinion.
    1,000 calorie a day. If you're eating to lose 1-3 lbs with this work out. (as apposed to calculating to losing 1-3 lbs with little work out)
    You'll be fine. My goal isn't so much "Burn X calories", though maybe it should, but "cycle X miles in X minutes" And lifting a higher weight/reps. I'm looking for both weight loss, but also stamina and better muscles. I miss them both!

    If you're in it for gaining muscle, eat energy before your work out and a protein rich snack afterwards. (For this protein snack, I suggest actual protein, not a protein shake or bar. Bean salad, eggs, tuna, chicken or beef all works.)

    If your work out ends less than 90 minutes before bed time, that might be your problem.
    If you can't sleep due to muscles aches, you could be pushing yourself entirely too hard which will be your down fall. Injured muscles = less gym time.
  • RunMyOregonBunsOff
    RunMyOregonBunsOff Posts: 862 Member
    If your only goal is to drop some weight, then don't go to crazy to start off or you are more likely to burn out pretty fast and then it is so hard to keep making progress. Slow and steady, while still challenging yourself is a good recipe for success. Good luck!
  • Katahna
    Katahna Posts: 326 Member
    it's a goal for a reason, work at it =]
  • LeotaD
    LeotaD Posts: 25 Member
    I would say that it sounds a bit excessive, but I just realized that on a good week I average around 7,500-9,000 cals a week. As long as you're careful with the exercise you could probably do it if you wanted to push yourself. I'd say 10,000 is starting to get a bit on the high side though, you don't want to end up getting too excessive with it. I would ask yourself if you're willing to commit to an about 1,400 cals a day workout everyday (more than that even if you don't work out everyday), that is after all as much as many people eat for a total day.

    I, personally, wouldn't change it, but then I like ending up losing more weight than I expect to every week.
  • Vonwarr
    Vonwarr Posts: 390 Member
    7000 calories in 840 minutes... or 14 hours a week (2 hours a day) at 500 calories per hour. Just expressing the number a little differently to help me visualize. :)

    I can provide a couple thoughts, take them as you will:

    - That number of hours indicates to me that you may be training for an endurance race/marathon of some sort. If so, disregard the following two points.

    - That's a really high burn... if your goal is to lose weight very quickly that will do it, but keep in mind that that level of intensity for that many hours a week will also be cutting into your lean mass, unless you're being very rigorous about proper nutrition, nutrition timing, and eating back exercise calories. As much as losing fat is good, losing too much muscle is bad. Sustainable fat loss isn't quick, 1 lb to 2 lbs a week is best to avoid crash and burn.

    - If you're doing strength training as well, keep in mind you face testosterone drop-off after 45 mins or so and see diminished returns after that... longer isn't always more beneficial.
  • gramacanada
    gramacanada Posts: 557 Member
    If you're exhausted from working out, you won't sleep either. Sounds backwards, but it does work that way. Google this one.
  • Tony_Brewski
    Tony_Brewski Posts: 1,376 Member
    Background may help here my bad didn't think of that. Busy insane day here.

    I'm 5'7" Currently 213lbs. I am doing a 50/50 mix of cardio strength each day. I am training yes. My goal is more body fat % related and lean muscle endurence increased. Trim the fat and be able to go go go go and go some more.

    I got my deit and workout routine from a US Army Drill Sergeant, but basically after 3 months of doing what I've been doing I feel like I've peaked at it. So thought I'd get some input on if I should go for more burn or hold steady. My goal was 24% BF (Still a lot yes) I'm not between 22%-23% and want to press on.

    I don't feel sore or tired or burned out. Infact at the end of each workout I feel like "S**t! I should have pressed harder!" I don't feel weak or worn out ever. I eat tons of fruits and vegis and lean meats (Fish and chicken mainly). I started off first week of May at 232lbs and around 34% body fat and a 47 inch waist. Today 231lbs 23% BF and 39 inch waist. Each week it just feels like everything I'm doing is getting easier and easier.

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