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How often?

sexymom04
sexymom04 Posts: 263 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
how often do you or should you exercise?

Replies

  • ScubaSteve1962
    ScubaSteve1962 Posts: 609 Member
    edited July 2015
    Here is the model that I started with, now I do 300 mins of vigorous, and light strength training 2 days a week.

    http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    edited July 2015
    That ^^^ seems like a reasonable minimum guide anyone should aspire to reach. Many here will put in a lot more time and effort not necessarily because they have to but because they want to and enjoy doing so.

    Answering the OP's question, how often do I? Typically these days I run 5 to 7 times a week but when I started I more or less stuck to a run one day, rest one day, repeat forever, schedule.

    Today running alone usually accounts for 350 - 600+ minutes of vigorous activity a week (up to 10+ hours). I also work in body weight strength training into my schedule. I also enjoy distance cycling and will sub that into my schedule when the mood hits. As my work is fairly sedentary even on rest days I make sure I'm out for a couple of decently long brisk walks a day. Doggy would also not forgive me otherwise.

    I pay close attention to my body, run with good form, and most of my training runs are longer slower runs less prone to generating or aggravating injury. I back off when I need to, take rest days after super long runs, but am not afraid to go for a run when I want to even if that means going out every day. I enjoy it; my dog enjoys it even more. Activity is vet-approved!

    Do I need to spend 8 or 10 hours a week exercising? A better question would be am I happy spending 8 or 10+ hours a week doing something I enjoy? The self evident answer is yes.

  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    ScubaSteve1962 wrote: »
    http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm

    ^This.

    Now for the second part to your question "How often do you..."

    I strength train 3 x per week (Ice Cream Fitness 5x5)
    Cardio for 60-80 mins 2-3 x per week in the gym
    random other cardio throughout my week (videos, walks, runs outside, etc)

    ^Do I need to do that much? Nope. Do I like doing that much? Yes. It makes me happy and is a great stress reliever for me.
  • LVNF04
    LVNF04 Posts: 2,607 Member
    I was told I exercise too much, personally I think there is no such thing.
  • sexymom04
    sexymom04 Posts: 263 Member
    thank you everyone, I've been doing Jillian Michaels Shed and Shred every other day, but wasn't sure if it was enough or not.
  • rumijs
    rumijs Posts: 218 Member
    All depends on what your goals are and what you feel like doing. If you want to knock it out 7 days, go for it. Just watch intensity and form. If your body says it needs to slow down or rest completely, do it. There is no right or wrong to it.

    Personally, I have some form of exercise 7 days. 3 HIIT, 3 strength, 1 active rest (slow run or yoga). I'm injury free and not fatigued. But I watch intensity and form every time which is the biggest factor.
  • kindrabbit
    kindrabbit Posts: 837 Member
    You 'should' exercise as much or as little as makes you happy and keeps you healthy. If you enjoy Jillian Michaels then I'd carry on with that. Are you loosing weight as you'd like?

    As for what I do:
    3 days a week strength training
    2 days a week circuits
    2 rest days (I may go for a run if I can find someone to go with. I hate running alone!)
  • professionalHobbyist
    professionalHobbyist Posts: 1,316 Member
    rumijs wrote: »
    All depends on what your goals are and what you feel like doing. If you want to knock it out 7 days, go for it. Just watch intensity and form. If your body says it needs to slow down or rest completely, do it. There is no right or wrong to it.

    Personally, I have some form of exercise 7 days. 3 HIIT, 3 strength, 1 active rest (slow run or yoga). I'm injury free and not fatigued. But I watch intensity and form every time which is the biggest factor.

    OP

    I do something similar to this as well.

    It is not a starting point type schedule but very reasonable for a person eating a good balanced diet AND getting proper rest/sleep.

    Today was the moderate activity day, no weights or HIIT. I did a 40 minute bike ride at 16 mph. Not fast or anything, just a little over casual pace.

    But also I do some exercise on days just so I can eat those BBQ ribs!

    I want to get in shape, not give up everything yummy in life!

    Have a good one.
  • tdecel
    tdecel Posts: 48 Member
    edited July 2015
    There is no reason why anyone should not exercise 7 days a week.

    My routine:
    2 days a week 20 mile time trials on my bicycle.
    1 day a week mid range bike ride 40 to 60 miles.
    2 to 3 days a week, days in between bike rides, gym: 45 minutes +/- of weights followed by 40 to 45 minutes elliptical, primarily HIIT (30/90)
    Easy days: animated walks, 5 to 6 mile loop, up and down hills with stop watch in hand.
    And I throw in an hour or 2 of racquetball every week here and there.

    Any by the way, Im 62, self employed and put in 60 hours per week at the office. No excuses.
  • sexymom04
    sexymom04 Posts: 263 Member
    my goal is to tone up, maybe even gain a bit of muscle, get rid of the belly and look and feel great. I'm debating getting a membership at the gym so I can get some strength training in or keep doing what I'm doing.

    tdecel, wow 62, good for you :smiley: I'm also self employed and I do have to get rid of the excuses.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    sexymom04 wrote: »
    my goal is to tone up, maybe even gain a bit of muscle, get rid of the belly and look and feel great. I'm debating getting a membership at the gym so I can get some strength training in or keep doing what I'm doing.

    tdecel, wow 62, good for you :smiley: I'm also self employed and I do have to get rid of the excuses.

    I think strength training is a good idea . Google stronglifts or nrol .
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,965 Member
    sexymom04 wrote: »
    how often do you or should you exercise?

    Pretty much every day. I think I've missed 3 or 4 days in the last 5 months.

    Some days are just walking a for 20-30 min. Other days are a whole lot more strenuous.

  • oh_happy_day
    oh_happy_day Posts: 1,137 Member
    If you want to tone up - weights, weights and more weights! Lifting weights, especially heavy weights, changed my body more than anything else I've done.

    My routine:
    High intensity circuits with weights and cardio - 5 sessions a week
    Yoga (yin and vinyasa) - 3-5 sessions a week
    8km walk/jog intervals once a week
    Active recovery (long walk, light stretching) - 1 session a week.
  • sexymom04
    sexymom04 Posts: 263 Member
    thank you so much everyone.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited July 2015
    sexymom04 wrote: »
    how often do you or should you exercise?

    really dependent on you and your fitness goals...but I'd recommend at least 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise 5x weekly...I believe 150 minutes per week is the general recommendation for basic health...beyond that, I would recommend establishing some fitness goals.

    I workout 6 days per week at varying intensity levels...my rest day is also an active recovery day...I don't just sit on my *kitten*.

    Monday: 5K AM; Lift PM
    Tuesday: Cycling...this is my hill day...I ride some major hills on Tuesday...climb, climb, climb
    Wednesday: 5K AM; Lift PM
    Thursday: Cycling flats...slightly less than racing effort
    Friday: Rest (easy flat spin or walk)
    Saturday: Ride to gym and lift AM
    Sunday: Long Ride

    I am also pretty flexible...it's not a hard and fast schedule as I'm not training for anything at the moment...so like this weekend I'm going camping so I won't make it to the gym or get my long ride in...no biggie...I'm flexible...I still got in most of my work this week.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    I run every morning 2+miles, walk at least .5mi in the afternoon.
    aerial yoga 3x a week for at least an hour
    random Game of the Thrones group challenges
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    It is different for each person depending on lifestyle, desire, goals, and CONDITIONING. Start out at your own level and you can work up to whatever you want. There isn't really a right or wrong answer, but there is what is right for YOU. I like workouts every day and a lot of variety.
This discussion has been closed.

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