Worked out four hours today
Replies
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I think that working out for four hours is crazy. Why is that necessary or even desirable?
I'm just curious....why is it crazy?? I have never heard ANYONE say that exercising for any length of time is crazy. But I would love to hear your expert opinion. Sounds like you have it all together. So...tell me...what's your expert advice on losing weight and how much one should and should not execercise?
...Actually, there have been studies about exercising too much. It can lead to Exercise Bulimia, which is just as much of a disorder as any eating disorder. It can also lead to injuries and dehydration (and I've actually been hospitalized from this from over exercising).
That being said, I have played many tennis matches that are four hours and my first half marathon took me 3 and a half. I also hike for hours on weekends frequently. No one is judging, but if you are getting that defensive, you might need to ask yourself why.
And I don't eat back all my calories, but I do try to stay around the 2,000 limit if I worked out that much during the day.
I do not appreciate being called a liar...what would I have to gain by coming up here on mfp and lie?. That's foolish. When someone accuse me of lying, I see it as judging and I will speak up. I do not need the drama. That's not why I am here and if this post is going to cause this much drama...It can be taken down and I do not have to post again. Period. And I will still do just fine.
Then why did you start it?
Because I wanted to. Why did you respond??0 -
Eat if you are hungry, you must be from all that exercise! Sometimes on my days off I might do a big workout and have lots of calories leftover, I don't feel the need to eat them all back if I'm not hungry so I consider them a 'buffer' for if I might want an extra treat or two on the weekend. I like to view my calorie goal as a weekly one rather than daily so maybe you can have the extra calories if you need them on another day
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As I understand it, your 4 hours of "working out" consisted of walking, household activities, and stairs. This is super. Being active 4 hours out of a day is very good for you.
This type of activity - activity taken in walking "in bits", chores, stairs, and such is very difficult to calculate a correct calorie burn (I realize you said you did not eat the calories that you earned back - which is also good)
If this is the way that you generally take your exercise, in bits and pieces with a lot of walking and stairs, it might be really well worth your while to get a "fitbit" or other activity tracker.
The fitbit one tracks your total steps, miles, flights of stairs, and calorie burn. So, it's a fairly effective way of really getting a handle on your daily activity and what it's worth.
And no, I don't work for the company, or own any stock in them, or anything like that.
My recommendation comes from personal experience, as a fitbit user myself, for the past 2 years + . In fact, I have just earned my 5,000 mile badge, and the device has really helped me to more accurately track my activity level and my total calories burned.
Congratulations on a great, and active day! Keep it up!
PS - the fitbit device can also be "linked" with my fitness Pal so then you do get appropriate calorie credit for the activity that you do over the course of the day. This really helps to take the guess work out of whether your calculations are accurate.0 -
I think that working out for four hours is crazy. Why is that necessary or even desirable?
I'm just curious....why is it crazy?? I have never heard ANYONE say that exercising for any length of time is crazy. But I would love to hear your expert opinion. Sounds like you have it all together. So...tell me...what's your expert advice on losing weight and how much one should and should not execercise?
...Actually, there have been studies about exercising too much. It can lead to Exercise Bulimia, which is just as much of a disorder as any eating disorder. It can also lead to injuries and dehydration (and I've actually been hospitalized from this from over exercising).
That being said, I have played many tennis matches that are four hours and my first half marathon took me 3 and a half. I also hike for hours on weekends frequently. No one is judging, but if you are getting that defensive, you might need to ask yourself why.
And I don't eat back all my calories, but I do try to stay around the 2,000 limit if I worked out that much during the day.
I do not appreciate being called a liar...what would I have to gain by coming up here on mfp and lie?. That's foolish. When someone accuse me of lying, I see it as judging and I will speak up. I do not need the drama. That's not why I am here and if this post is going to cause this much drama...It can be taken down and I do not have to post again. Period. And I will still do just fine.
I don't think the poster was calling you a liar, nor was I... all they said was that they couldn't fathom working out for 4 hours a day. I really just think you read into it wrong, that's all. And I wasn't causing drama, just pointing out that there has been studies that show that you can exercise too much. As I stated in my original post, I work out for hours frequently on the weekends, and I work and am in graduate school. ALL I was saying is that you can get hurt from over exercising - I ended up in the hospital because of it years ago.0 -
Was this a one time, fluke thing or, do you plan to do this on a regular basis?
It was a one time thing. Every now and then, I may do three hours, but most of the time when I'm just walking or doing the stairs it's two hours...but not all consective. I have to do this because I work two jobs and I work at night so I just get it in when I can because I do not have time to go to the gym. I'm going to buy me some weights...that's another reason why I walk so much. I only have the stretch bands to do my strength training.
OK. I asked because, if it's a once-in-a-while thing, then I wouldn't bother eating the extra calories, unless you're hungry and you want them.
If it was a regular thing, I would at least eat back some of those calories.0 -
I only eat back around half, I think that often the calories burnt is way overestimated.
I totally agree with you.0 -
I don't have that kind of time, really. Kudos, though.0 -
I don't have that kind of time, really. Kudos, though.
I have that kind of time. I just see it as I don't need to do that much for my goals.0 -
I don't have that kind of time, really. Kudos, though.
I have that kind of time. I just see it as I don't need to do that much for my goals.
Me neither, but I still don't have that kind of time. :flowerforyou:0 -
4 hours...wow.0
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I think that working out for four hours is crazy. Why is that necessary or even desirable?
I'm just curious....why is it crazy?? I have never heard ANYONE say that exercising for any length of time is crazy. But I would love to hear your expert opinion. Sounds like you have it all together. So...tell me...what's your expert advice on losing weight and how much one should and should not execercise?
...Actually, there have been studies about exercising too much. It can lead to Exercise Bulimia, which is just as much of a disorder as any eating disorder. It can also lead to injuries and dehydration (and I've actually been hospitalized from this from over exercising).
That being said, I have played many tennis matches that are four hours and my first half marathon took me 3 and a half. I also hike for hours on weekends frequently. No one is judging, but if you are getting that defensive, you might need to ask yourself why.
And I don't eat back all my calories, but I do try to stay around the 2,000 limit if I worked out that much during the day.
I do not appreciate being called a liar...what would I have to gain by coming up here on mfp and lie?. That's foolish. When someone accuse me of lying, I see it as judging and I will speak up. I do not need the drama. That's not why I am here and if this post is going to cause this much drama...It can be taken down and I do not have to post again. Period. And I will still do just fine.
Nowhere in this response did the person call you a liar. The person just told you some legitimate information, which you can choose to use or not. There is a such thing as too much of a good thing. I've burned myself out from over exercising, I didn't end up in the hospital but I lost the will to want to work out. It took me about a month to get myself back on track. I think she and I are just trying to save you from that trouble.
If 4 hours of working out makes you happy and you can sustain it for life, then go for it. That's great, but just be knowledgeable about the possible ramifications. Good luck!0 -
That'sa lot or maybe a bit too much. Even if yu did an hour pof working out, you would see results. Are you going to be consistent with doing 4 hours daily becaus eif not, that might throw your body off. Just saying and not trying to hate or act like I know becaus eI could be wrong, but, after you 4-hour workout, check your pressure to see if it is right. And what are you eating in your day to day to bneed to burn that much? Make sure you are not overkilling your body.0
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Simple answer.
Are you hungry? Eat more.
It's that simple.0 -
I have the same issue on my long-run days. Don't worry about it as long as you are at least meeting your base calories for the day and you're not hungry.
And I agree with other posters....I wish I had 4 hours to go on a nice long hike or something so good for you!0 -
Oh, come on, people, cut the OP some slack. She had a question: how will she lose weight if she eats back exercise calories? Has anyone even answered that??
OP: The reason to eat back exercise calories is that MFP's calorie goal already has your deficit built in. If you tell MPF, "I want to lose a pound a week," it will create a 500-calorie deficit, BEFORE exercise.
If you don't eat back exercise calories, you are increasing your deficit. In your case, you are adding an extra 847 calories to your deficit. That's quite a lot. Now, depending on how you estimated exercise calories, the number might be off. MFP's database tends to overestimate calories burned.
And if this is an occasional 4-hour workout, not a regular one, you're OK not eating back the calories. Just don't make a habit of running a super-big deficit, since it can leave you without the calories and nutrients required to keep your body healthy while losing weight.
BTW, for the skeptics, my longest workout since starting MFP in January 2013 was 8 hours and 55 minutes long. It was a 111-mile bike ride through the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, along the branches of the Westfield River, with 8,800 feet of climbing. I was in negative calories that day: I ate 3,260 calories total but burned 4,284 on my ride. I was too tired to feel very hungry. I made up for it over the next few days, though!0 -
i dont every really eat back my cals. Also, buy an HRM as MFP cal burns are way wrong. Also, 4 hours a day is not smart.
Just to let you know, MFP calorie burn is not "way wrong" in fact, it's not far off, especially if you are overweight 40 pounds or more. I did buy a HRM because I thought the same thing. Guess what.....MFP totals are rather accurate, in fact sometimes they are under according my HRM (and the supporting chest strap). I suppose that as I slim down, it will take more effort to burn that many calories. However, for now (60 lbs overweight) it doesn't take much effort to put me in my fat burning zone.
As far as working out 4 hours
YOU GO GIRL! It's easy to take a long walk to the store or ride my bike and be exercising for 4 hours. Probably not every day....but if you can, go for it.0 -
Totally depends on the type of exercise though. I've tested it extensively just out of curiosity. Some things are pretty close, some are waaaaaayyy off.
Just to let you know, MFP calorie burn is not "way wrong" in fact, it's not far off, especially if you are overweight 40 pounds or more. I did buy a HRM because I thought the same thing. Guess what.....MFP totals are rather accurate...0 -
I think that working out for four hours is crazy. Why is that necessary or even desirable?
I'm just curious....why is it crazy?? I have never heard ANYONE say that exercising for any length of time is crazy. But I would love to hear your expert opinion. Sounds like you have it all together. So...tell me...what's your expert advice on losing weight and how much one should and should not execercise?
...Actually, there have been studies about exercising too much. It can lead to Exercise Bulimia, which is just as much of a disorder as any eating disorder. It can also lead to injuries and dehydration (and I've actually been hospitalized from this from over exercising).
That being said, I have played many tennis matches that are four hours and my first half marathon took me 3 and a half. I also hike for hours on weekends frequently. No one is judging, but if you are getting that defensive, you might need to ask yourself why.
And I don't eat back all my calories, but I do try to stay around the 2,000 limit if I worked out that much during the day.
I do not appreciate being called a liar...what would I have to gain by coming up here on mfp and lie?. That's foolish. When someone accuse me of lying, I see it as judging and I will speak up. I do not need the drama. That's not why I am here and if this post is going to cause this much drama...It can be taken down and I do not have to post again. Period. And I will still do just fine.
You're acting quite hangry. I suggest you DO eat something.0 -
i don't quite get the incredulity over the 4 hour workout. i have on many many occasions worked out for 4 hours (or more) in a day. and yes, i work full time. 40+ hours/week. it's not that hard to get in a 2.5 hour run before work, then a 90 minute yoga session after work.0
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There's nothing wrong with working for four hours once in a while, just be mindful that you do not have to work out 4 hours a day to achieve results. You can't out exercise a bad diet and if you aren't measuring your food portions and calories correctly and / or over-estimate your calorie burn you're going cruising for a bruising.
Also I wouldn't want to be your legs tomorrow after four hours of constant exercise. I did heavy lifts Monday and Wednesday and walked for an hour or so on the treadmill Thursday and my legs are tired even today.0 -
Totally depends on the type of exercise though. I've tested it extensively just out of curiosity. Some things are pretty close, some are waaaaaayyy off.
Just to let you know, MFP calorie burn is not "way wrong" in fact, it's not far off, especially if you are overweight 40 pounds or more. I did buy a HRM because I thought the same thing. Guess what.....MFP totals are rather accurate...
Well, maybe. I have tested it too. Dancing for fun, aerobic dancing, riding my bike, walking up and down stairs, slow walking.
Just curious, what area did you find it to be way off in?0 -
I only eat back around half, I think that often the calories burnt is way overestimated.
THIS!!!!!0 -
Prolonged aerobic exercise was way off for me. I tested between a run app on my phone, MFP, and my Garmin with HRM. For runs over 30mins where my heart rate was consistently around 160bpm, MFP was way too generous with my calories burned. The discrepancy gets larger the longer I run. Given I'm now up to around 2 hour runs, I'm glad I figured this out fairly early on in my training.
Totally depends on the type of exercise though. I've tested it extensively just out of curiosity. Some things are pretty close, some are waaaaaayyy off.
Just to let you know, MFP calorie burn is not "way wrong" in fact, it's not far off, especially if you are overweight 40 pounds or more. I did buy a HRM because I thought the same thing. Guess what.....MFP totals are rather accurate...
Well, maybe. I have tested it too. Dancing for fun, aerobic dancing, riding my bike, walking up and down stairs, slow walking.
Just curious, what area did you find it to be way off in?0 -
i don't quite get the incredulity over the 4 hour workout. i have on many many occasions worked out for 4 hours (or more) in a day. and yes, i work full time. 40+ hours/week. it's not that hard to get in a 2.5 hour run before work, then a 90 minute yoga session after work.
I think most people are assuming it was four hours in one session.0 -
Totals: 1,896
Your Daily Goal: 2,743
Remaining: 847
*You've earned 1,383 extra calories from exercise today
As you can see, I didn't eat all of my calories. I understand that you are suppose to eat back ALL of the calories. But I just don't understand how eating 2,743 calories could actually help me lose weight...I ate 1,896 calories. That seems to be waaay more then enough. What do you think?
There's plenty of calories there. If you're hungry, then eat. If you're not, no big deal. Doesn't sound like this is an everyday thing. So, enjoy the extra calories.0 -
Prolonged aerobic exercise was way off for me. I tested between a run app on my phone, MFP, and my Garmin with HRM. For runs over 30mins where my heart rate was consistently around 160bpm, MFP was way too generous with my calories burned. The discrepancy gets larger the longer I run. Given I'm now up to around 2 hour runs, I'm glad I figured this out fairly early on in my training.
Totally depends on the type of exercise though. I've tested it extensively just out of curiosity. Some things are pretty close, some are waaaaaayyy off.
Just to let you know, MFP calorie burn is not "way wrong" in fact, it's not far off, especially if you are overweight 40 pounds or more. I did buy a HRM because I thought the same thing. Guess what.....MFP totals are rather accurate...
Well, maybe. I have tested it too. Dancing for fun, aerobic dancing, riding my bike, walking up and down stairs, slow walking.
Just curious, what area did you find it to be way off in?
So, lol. Sounds like you are in pretty good shape- running for 2 hours at a time, impressive. So you found this particular area off is that correct? Like I said, it seems to be more accurate the heavier one is. I am guessing you are either at your goal or close to it as you are able to run for 2 hours at a time.
I can't even imagine doing that at this point in my journey. Is there any other area you found MFP to be way off in caloric burn?0 -
OP I beat you! I worked out for 5 hours on Sunday! Thats all..0
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why? you're making an assumption yourself there. i think you're wrong. i immediately figured it was broken up throughout the day into at least a couple sessions.i don't quite get the incredulity over the 4 hour workout. i have on many many occasions worked out for 4 hours (or more) in a day. and yes, i work full time. 40+ hours/week. it's not that hard to get in a 2.5 hour run before work, then a 90 minute yoga session after work.
I think most people are assuming it was four hours in one session.0 -
When I was training for an Ironman, I would do up to 7 hour workouts. However, even when Im not training for something in particular, my husband and I often lift for a couple hours, do a spin class, then go hiking for a couple hours. That can be 6 hours of exercise in one day. We do it because we enjoy it and we do it in a healthy way.
To answer your question, MFP overestimates how much you need. In your situation, I think you're doing just fine in terms of food intake assuming you're trying to lose weight. You may find you're extra hungry the next day so in that case I wouldn't stress too much about adding a small snack to compensate. Overall, you should be negative calorically but not in such an extreme that I'd be worried. If you did that every day you may burn out pretty fast.0 -
And I've worked out for a whole 24 hr period before too.. (Beginning of May, check my log if you'd like)... Quite enjoyable! So OP, continue doing what you're doing and let the haters hate because they aren't as awesome as you are.0
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