2 hours of workout straight. Good or bad?

1nspiredgirl
1nspiredgirl Posts: 27 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Because I am super obssessed and first day of school is in a month. I am exercising both cardio & strength(toning muscles) (jillian michaels workout videos & others mix) in 2 hours straight(in the morning) but with rest time of 5 mins each workout. Is it just okay? Or super bad?

I'm eating 5-6 small meals a day because it's getting me really hungry throughout the day. Need your thoughts and experiences. - obssessed 21y/o(5"1) girl here. Thank you so much!

P.S. Super hate my fat thighs & muffin top!!!! >.< :((((((
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Replies

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Sounds unnecessary but I can't say whether it's good or bad. For weight loss, focus on your diet and staying in your calorie deficit. You can do the amount of exercise you enjoy, or enough to allow you to eat a bit more if you like.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    edited May 2015
    Depends on the person and the goals. I average 2.5 hours per lifting session, 4x a week. Up to 3 hours each. Not a big deal for me but I wouldn't recommend that for a beginner. Same for an experienced endurance runner, a couple hours at a go would be part of a normal (longer) run. I can definitely see a cardio + lifting workout taking 2 hours too.

    Play it by ear and see how you respond and how you feel long-term.
  • SonicKrunch
    SonicKrunch Posts: 192 Member
    I do 2 hour weightlifting 3x week. As long as you listen to your body and know when to back it down you should be fine.
  • 1nspiredgirl
    1nspiredgirl Posts: 27 Member
    Thanks guys. I'm planning to do this everyday. I don't feel so much hurt anyway so I guess I can do it or maybe take 1 day rest. I do feel very hungry though until midnight.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Seems like overkill to me.
  • Mezzie1024
    Mezzie1024 Posts: 380 Member
    You said "obsessed" twice in your first post. Now, in general, I see no reason to limit healthy activity. At my fittest, I did 2-4 hours of activity a day (varying intensity), but I did it because I enjoyed it. I had no goals I was obsessed over; it was just what I did for fun. I also properly fueled my body for that activity.

    Think about whether or not you're setting yourself up for injury (if you're doing the same routine daily, it sounds like you might be), and whether or not you've created too large of a calorie deficit to get the energy and nutrients you need. In the end, only you can decide if it's too much activity and/or too little food. Be kind to yourself.
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    It sounds like a bit much, but listen to your body and shorten your workouts and take rest as needed.

    Try and be more patient too. Fat loss takes time. Plus with the added stress of the long workouts and being "obsessed" you are probably increasing the release of cortisol (stress hormone) which in turns reduces fat burning.

    Sometimes my workouts might add up to an hour and a half (30 mins. lifting and a 4 - 5 mile brisk walk - sometimes back to back other times split AM and PM workouts), but I enjoy it.

    Are you eating enough to fuel these workouts? Not in frequency, but substance?

  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    1nspiredgirl wrote: »
    Thanks guys. I'm planning to do this everyday. I don't feel so much hurt anyway so I guess I can do it or maybe take 1 day rest. I do feel very hungry though until midnight.

    What are your objectives?
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Honestly, it sounds like you're trying to do this much to create as large as a deficit as possible. Probably not the healthiest thing to do.

    Right now, I easily spend two hours six days a week training, but I've built up to this level over years, I don't always spend this long training (I'm in peaking cycle right now), I eat at maintenance, and of that two hours, 30 minutes MIGHT be actual work sets.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Please keep in mind you don't need to go all gungho balls to the wall to lose weight or get healthy/fit. You can do it just as easily with less exercise and just maintaining a calorie deficit.

    If you truly enjoy activity, then go for it, but make sure you properly fuel yourself. Don't leave yourself open to injury or burn out by doing too much.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    Context determines if a long workout is good or bad. Your word choices here and in your profile ("obsessed" ... "super hate my") throw a few red flags.
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
    The most I'll do is 45 minutes to an hour of weights followed by 30 minutes of cardio. I don't do that often, and I usually feel drained for the rest of the day instead of energized like I would feel if I just did one of the two. Listen to your body, if you don't have energy for the rest of the day following whatever workout you're doing, then you're probably overdoing it.
  • colors_fade
    colors_fade Posts: 464 Member
    Your weight loss is going to be accomplished by what you eat and staying within a calorie deficit.

    And the sad thing is, there's really no way to speed that up. Long workouts aren't going to widen your calorie deficit so much that you make huge gains in the weight loss department.

    A lb. a week is normal, safe, effective and there's no time warp for it.

    Do exercise you enjoy.
  • rileyes
    rileyes Posts: 1,406 Member
    20 year olds have tons of energy. I think it is okay if you are enjoying and fueling (eat when you are hungry and stay hydrated) your workouts. I would break up any cardio into higher intensity short sessions. Just maintain your rest periods and listen to your body.
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    1nspiredgirl wrote: »
    Because I am super obssessed and first day of school is in a month. I am exercising both cardio & strength(toning muscles) (jillian michaels workout videos & others mix) in 2 hours straight(in the morning) but with rest time of 5 mins each workout. Is it just okay? Or super bad?

    I'm eating 5-6 small meals a day because it's getting me really hungry throughout the day. Need your thoughts and experiences. - obssessed 21y/o(5"1) girl here. Thank you so much!

    P.S. Super hate my fat thighs & muffin top!!!! >.< :((((((

    It seems like overkill to me. I checked out your profile, and you're doing an awful lot-- with a focus on weight loss-- for someone who's starting weight was 115. Your goal of 90 lbs seems dangerously low, in my opinion. I doubt you have fat thighs or a muffin top, considering your height and weight. If you really enjoy working out for that long every day, make sure you're eating enough protein, carbs and fat to maintain your health, or you'll be in a dangerous situation.
  • gypsy_nurse
    gypsy_nurse Posts: 39 Member
    I'm a nurse who works with eating disorder kids and this type of behavior (and choice of words) is what I see all the time, unfortunately. This is definitely not behavior I would condone, especially if you are wanting to do this every day.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    kristinegift wrote: »
    1nspiredgirl wrote: »
    Because I am super obssessed and first day of school is in a month. I am exercising both cardio & strength(toning muscles) (jillian michaels workout videos & others mix) in 2 hours straight(in the morning) but with rest time of 5 mins each workout. Is it just okay? Or super bad?

    I'm eating 5-6 small meals a day because it's getting me really hungry throughout the day. Need your thoughts and experiences. - obssessed 21y/o(5"1) girl here. Thank you so much!

    P.S. Super hate my fat thighs & muffin top!!!! >.< :((((((

    It seems like overkill to me. I checked out your profile, and you're doing an awful lot-- with a focus on weight loss-- for someone who's starting weight was 115. Your goal of 90 lbs seems dangerously low, in my opinion. I doubt you have fat thighs or a muffin top, considering your height and weight. If you really enjoy working out for that long every day, make sure you're eating enough protein, carbs and fat to maintain your health, or you'll be in a dangerous situation.

    Man, I didn't even see that.

    At 5'1 your goal should be to go no lower than 100 lbs. 90 lbs is too little and unhealthy.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    brianpperkins wrote: »
    Context determines if a long workout is good or bad. Your word choices here and in your profile ("obsessed" ... "super hate my") throw a few red flags.

    This.
  • sengalissa
    sengalissa Posts: 253 Member
    1nspiredgirl wrote: »
    Because I am super obssessed and first day of school is in a month. I am exercising both cardio & strength(toning muscles) (jillian michaels workout videos & others mix) in 2 hours straight(in the morning) but with rest time of 5 mins each workout. Is it just okay? Or super bad?

    I'm eating 5-6 small meals a day because it's getting me really hungry throughout the day. Need your thoughts and experiences. - obssessed 21y/o(5"1) girl here. Thank you so much!

    P.S. Super hate my fat thighs & muffin top!!!! >.< :((((((

    Fine but: if I do that more than once or twice a week, I get sick or burn out.
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    I've worked out that long before, but not everyday. I think our bodies have a way of telling us how much is too much. The key thing is to make sure you listen.
  • BeginnersBootcamp
    BeginnersBootcamp Posts: 90 Member
    Red flags everywhere!
  • rileyes
    rileyes Posts: 1,406 Member
    1nspiredgirl wrote: »
    Because I am super obssessed and first day of school is in a month. I am exercising both cardio & strength(toning muscles) (jillian michaels workout videos & others mix) in 2 hours straight(in the morning) but with rest time of 5 mins each workout. Is it just okay? Or super bad?

    I'm eating 5-6 small meals a day because it's getting me really hungry throughout the day. Need your thoughts and experiences. - obssessed 21y/o(5"1) girl here. Thank you so much!

    P.S. Super hate my fat thighs & muffin top!!!! >.< :((((((

    I clicked on your pic that led to a brief scan of your newsfeed. It seems you visit MFP to shape up for an event. Is that right? A healthy lifestyle can take hold better when you stick around longer. You can develop a good sense of healthy diet and exercise in the fitness forum. Dedication is key!

    You said you were performing Jillian Michaels workout (among others). Are you following her suggested diet as well? What is an example of your daily 5-6 meals? Are you enjoying your workouts? What is an example of your daily exercises?

    I see in your profile that fashion models are your inspiration. "Out" is the anorexic-looking model. Some countries even banned the sickly trend from fashion shows. "In" is the super fit model with muscle definition (and even those are stretched and air-brushed--distorted in magazines). Embrace your body.

  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    edited May 2015
    A goal weight of 90 lbs is significantly underweight. Please seek psychiatric help immediately.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    You'll burn out within a week, enjoy the binge...
  • PopeyeCT
    PopeyeCT Posts: 249 Member
    If your goal is to burn fat, longer sessions of lower intensity cause more of the calories to come from fat.

    It seems crazy, but if you do 500 calories worth of Jilian Michaels video less of those calories will be from fat than if you took a 500 calorie walk.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    FatFreeFrolicking wrote: »
    A goal weight of 90 lbs is significantly underweight. Please seek psychiatric help immediately.

    I didn't even look until you mentioned that.
  • wissywig
    wissywig Posts: 11 Member
    rileyes wrote: »

    I see in your profile that fashion models are your inspiration. [/b]Out" [/b] is the anorexic-looking model. Some countries even banned the sickly trend from fashion shows. "In" is the super fit model with muscle definition (and even those are stretched and air-brushed--distorted in magazines). Embrace your body.

    I would substitute some different words for those in boldface based on the red flags that are waving violently here.

    The anorexic look may be in or out, but the real issue isn't whether that look is fashionable or not.

    "Embrace the body you have" --that's the key. Burn your fashion mags. You are headed down a dangerous path, one I have personally walked myself when I was in my 20s. The kind of obsession you're describing, the self loathing of your final sentence...I've been there and done that.

    Please message me if you want to talk.
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    1nspiredgirl wrote: »
    Because I am super obssessed and first day of school is in a month. I am exercising both cardio & strength(toning muscles) (jillian michaels workout videos & others mix) in 2 hours straight(in the morning) but with rest time of 5 mins each workout. Is it just okay? Or super bad?

    I'm eating 5-6 small meals a day because it's getting me really hungry throughout the day. Need your thoughts and experiences. - obssessed 21y/o(5"1) girl here. Thank you so much!

    P.S. Super hate my fat thighs & muffin top!!!! >.< :((((((

    I'm going with bad based upon the context.
  • sullus
    sullus Posts: 2,839 Member
    On a basic level there is nothing dangerous, harmful, or bad with working out for 2 hours a day. Millions of people do extremely physical jobs for 8 hours a day. You body should be able to handle it if you are healthy and eat enough.

    That aside .. listen to what everyone above is saying about all the non-physical issues your post implies.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    1. What exactly are you "obsessed" with? Working out? Losing weight? Both?
    2. Muscles get bigger, get smaller, or stay the same. They do not "tone," so go ahead and get that word out of your vocabulary.
    3. The number of meals you eat per day means absolutely nothing. It's calories in vs. calories out. If you eat 1500 calories spread out over 6 meals, you'll lose the same amount of weight as you would if you ate only one 1500-calorie meal per day. If your 5-6 "small meals" don't put you in a calorie deficit, you won't lose weight.
    4. Why is your weight goal so low? At your height, a healthy weight range starts at 98 lbs. There's no reason to go below that.
    5. From the sound of it, you probably need help that none of us are qualified to give you.

    There's nothing "bad" about working out for 2 hours if you're up to it and you have the energy and enjoy it. However, there are clearly other issues here.
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