How Many Days Should You Work Out?????

lil_missfit
lil_missfit Posts: 565 Member
edited September 26 in Fitness and Exercise
Hello all:))

Is 6 days too much???

How many days do you take off working out? I started out only taking one day off and I promise I was at a stand still weight wise....then I started taking 2 days off and am seeing a 1 to 2 lb drop.....any insight? or is this just me trying to get out of working out six days per week? Can your muscles get swollen?? (hope that isn't a dumb question----I really don't know) I usually do 3 hard cardio days and 2 light cardio days with strength training. I was doing 4 cardio days.....now on my 2 off days I walk to the store or around my neighborhood with my kids or ride bikes with them ( I trail a 2yo on the back---if it matters)....I dont usually count all of this in my diary but I am just making the point that I try and stay active:)) Your thoughts:)) Thanks!!

Replies

  • shreddingit
    shreddingit Posts: 1,133 Member
    At first 4x then 6x now 3-5x
    its not bout days but wat u do when ur working out, short intense beats long low intensity..
  • menchi
    menchi Posts: 297 Member
    I aim to workout everyday unless I'm physically unable to do it. Most of the time I manage this. But a workout for me is not only going to the gym. I might walk to the grocery store or walk to get lunch which are both at least a 1-mile round trip. I might bike to work instead of driving. It might be a 20 min aerobics workout at home. Or it might be an hour of social ballroom dancing. They all count for me and often I do combinations of them so each day I end up burning 100-500 Cal (done 700 once, that was nuts) in exercise. I don't count the "exercise" I normally do everyday anyway... like walking around campus, walking in the grocery store.
  • TropicalKitty
    TropicalKitty Posts: 2,298 Member
    I've had all different amounts in my life. I think the key is finding what works for you. So a balance of the time commitment that is required depending on how many times per week you go and how your body feels.

    When I was doing a lot of cardio and less weights, I did 6 days.

    When I was doing more weights, 4 days.

    I know that it would take a lot for me to go 5-6days. I just don't have that dedication in me at this point in time. Also, remember, it's not just what other people do, it's what you can handle and is best for YOUR body.
  • TropicalKitty
    TropicalKitty Posts: 2,298 Member
    I aim to workout everyday unless I'm physically unable to do it. Most of the time I manage this. But a workout for me is not only going to the gym. I might walk to the grocery store or walk to get lunch which are both at least a 1-mile round trip. I might bike to work instead of driving. It might be a 20 min aerobics workout at home. Or it might be an hour of social ballroom dancing. They all count for me and often I do combinations of them so each day I end up burning 100-500 Cal (done 700 once, that was nuts) in exercise.

    I love this! My ideal way of being healthy is being active, not just being in the gym. :)
  • lil_missfit
    lil_missfit Posts: 565 Member
    I aim to workout everyday unless I'm physically unable to do it. Most of the time I manage this. But a workout for me is not only going to the gym. I might walk to the grocery store or walk to get lunch which are both at least a 1-mile round trip. I might bike to work instead of driving. It might be a 20 min aerobics workout at home. Or it might be an hour of social ballroom dancing. They all count for me and often I do combinations of them so each day I end up burning 100-500 Cal (done 700 once, that was nuts) in exercise.

    That's awesome!!! With that in mind.....I work out 7 days per week bc like I said....on my off days I walk or ride bikes with the kids:)) Thanks!!!!
  • lil_missfit
    lil_missfit Posts: 565 Member
    Thank you:))
  • bltmgray
    bltmgray Posts: 163 Member
    I started working out 7 days a week in the beginning. Once I hit my half way mark, I noticed my weight loss started slowing down a bit, so I cut it back to 6 days a week. About 2 months ago, I started using the Biggest Loser Challenge for the Wii and it suggested, after several weeks using it, that I cut back how many days I exercise. Mined you, I was on a plateau that had lasted 3 months. Grrrr! Once I cut back on the days, and I added strength training on some of my off days, I started to see my weight loss start up again. It's been slow, but I'm seeing a difference now. So, sometimes, yes, I think you can exercise to much and your body needs a change to get yourself losing again. Good luck!!
  • nlhawthorne
    nlhawthorne Posts: 34
    I work out at the gym 3 times a week intensely for about 70-90 mins at a time. Sometimes I might go 4 times a week. Other days I might walk a bit. The reason I don't do more is that my trainer at my old gym used to say that if you're just trying to lose some weight and increase your fitness, you should really leave one day in between intense workouts to allow your body to recover. I'm not sure how true that really is (a lot of people on here seem to work out every day for hours without a problem) but I've certainly been getting fitter, losing weight slowly but steadily and still building muscle by doing that. I guess it depends on what you feel suits your body (and your schedule!) best :-)
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