Are you around 50? How much exercise can you do?

I normally work out 5 days a week; Monday-Friday and take the wekend off, although I end up walking, doing yard work, etc... and earn exercise calories. I know many older folks who take a day off in between (I.e. workout Mon, Tues, off Wed, on again Thurs and Fir and make Sat optional and off Sun) it works for them. Do what you can without making so it is a chore and you on't want to go.... maybe go lighter on some days and heavier than others....

Don't compare yourself to others and listen to your body. We are all individuals after all Happy exercising!!

I guess it depends on the intensity. I can run 2-6 miles a day (now after well over a year of training) and I only need a rest day every few weeks. Now that I am training for a 1/2 M and the long runs and even some of the short runs are longer, I need 1 rest day a week, and a light day where I ride my bicycle at a leisurely pace. I guess it is more about the time spent. 2 miles only takes me about 20 minutes with a warm-up and cool-down. A 10 mile run takes about 90 minutes. And I would add, if you are doing a lot of strength training, that is a different sort of tired, and I suggest working different muscle groups on alternating days.

Every person is different. I try to use an old government trick - incrementalism. Once I feel comfortable at something, I boost the pace on the treadmill by 1/10, or increase the weights by 10 lbs., or add one exercise or machine. I also had to learn moderation - once I found myself spending 3+ hours in the gym every time I visited, and at one point I burned out on my gym enthusiasm. Now I limit it to half that.

I will be 51 in December and YES when I first started to workout again I noticed an undesirably marked difference in my strength. WELL, the only one that can change that is ME.. 6 months later STRONGER every day!!!

Hi, I'm 47 and I notice a very distinct limit to my physical abilities. If I exercise intensely for 3 days in a row, I'm exhausted on day 4 and need to rest. Yet I see many people exercise loads every single day of the week. Is it a question of age? Or am I just unfit, and (hopefully) will improve over time?

Don't compare yourself to others and listen to your body. We are all individuals after all Happy exercising!!

I agree with this, we are all different. I started with walk away the pounds 3x a week and worked my way up.
I just finished Jillian Michaels 30 day shred and now I'm jogging and looking into other DVD's. I'm 49.
Keep moving to your ability.

I Workout 6-7 days per week. Three times a week I run and the balance I walk. I'll be 51 in March & hope to do a 1/2 marathon before then!

I am 57 just finished a 100 mile century bike ride in 7.5 hours.
Two years ago 5 miles was hard. One day at a time.

I bike 4 to 5 days a week usually 20 to 39 miles each ride at about 14 or 15 miles an hour.

So great to be fit.

Cheers
Jim

heading towards 50, trying to make up for 10 years of very little exercise. Over the past 2 years i have built up on from nothing to aiming to do something every day and usually achieving it. i don't count regular daily activities like housework and gardening, and average about 12hrs good activity/week - but varied. A couple of days with long intense sessions, then an hour most days. A good mix of cardio, strength and core - classes, dvds and stuff on my own. I also do an hour with a PT once a week which i'd highly recommend - his feedback and guidance have been invaluable. And finally - a sport massage every 6 weeks - an expensive luxury but works miracles

I am 51. I started exercising the first wk of Aug. I weighed 225 and was extremely out of shape. I started out just moving LOL doing a little dance to my favorite music for about 10 mins. I then progressed to where I could do 30 mins, 4-5 times a week. I started Zumba toward the end of August, with only 10 mins to start on it. Now I usually do 30-45 mins 4-5 days a week. I have lost 15 pounds so far with 85 more to go. I also have severe osteoarthritis in my left knee and right hip, but even though I get sore muscles, I don't let it stop me. I just keep the hopping to a minimum and try to keep it as low impact as possible. This works for me. Just take your time and try different things. You will find one or several that you enjoy and that will help you reach your goal. Being able to enjoy the exercise you are doing, to me, is the key to continuing your program. Good luck.

Hi: I'm 53 with terrible knees and it's true I can't exercise like I used to. Meaning I can't jog, do aerobics that require any jumping around - heck sometimes I can't even walk except at a crawl. But I can be active. I change up my exercises to give my joints a break - some days I I swim, some days I do water aerobics, and I've even become one of those old folks that mall walks (it's easier on my knee than walking on pavement). I try to stay active every day although I don't beat myself up if I have one leisurely weekend day.

I can't do Insanity or run a half marathon but I can clip on a pedometer and make sure I get my steps in every day. I'm recovering from knee surgery this week so I can't walk much or get into the pool for another week but hopefully I'll be back in stride (slow as it is) next week.

Listen to your body. I didn't at first. I stupidly tried to jog a few months back - bad move - knee surgery the result. I'm an ijit.

I am 60! I started with 30 day shred. You can do modified versions of most of the exercises,you will be surprised how strong you get each day. Just listen to your body, if your shoulders or knees hurt stop. You do need rest days. Drink lots of water to help the muscles. I've been doing Zumba,just love it! Billy Banks DVD is next!

I'm 52 and work out 5 or 6 days a week.
Normally I alternate cardio and strength training to mix things up and work my whole body.
Injuries prevent me from running as far as I'd like or lifting as much as I'd like but focus on what you can do rather than what you can't.

Both your training and your nutrition for training need to be correct but age isn't the barrier. OK I'm never going to be a pro athlete but I will be slim and strong.

And it's fun showing up the youngsters sometimes

My diaries are open and happy to "friend" with positive people.