How much exercise is too much?

julespickles
julespickles Posts: 28 Member
edited October 4 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all :)
I've only recently joined MFP, but I've been trying (unsuccessfully!) to lose weight for the last 2 years. Hubby and I decided a few weeks ago to join a gym and change our lifestyle once and for all, and I'm really getting into the exercise. I'm enjoying going almost every day to the gym or a class, but I'm concerned that I don't really have any rest days. My exercise program is quite varied, so I hope I'm resting each muscle group enough:
Monday: Hips bums and tums (aerobics/toning class) or ca
Tuesday:Upper body resistance workout at gym, followed by step aerobics class
Wednesday: Pilates
Thursday: Step aerobics
Friday: Lower body resistance workout at gym, followed by swim
Saturday: cardio workout at gym
Sunday: body attack class (high intensity aerobic intervals class)
In an aerobics class/cardio workout I burn ~500-600 calories, and eat about half back.
I'd like some opinions on whether this is too much (hubby says it is, but I'm really enjoying it!) and if it's a good balance of cardio/toning?

Replies

  • stephabef
    stephabef Posts: 936 Member
    You should have one rest day a week. Maybe add your Wednesday pilates routine to another night, since it's pretty simple to do pilates at home if you have a yoga mat.
  • RAFValentina
    RAFValentina Posts: 1,231 Member
    You're mixing it up and its not al high impact so I think that what you're doing isn't "too much" ... It's doing the same thing or same kind of thing every single day that you need to be wary of... like the mix up of stuff you're doing! Looks like you'll see results pretty soon if you tsick to it all!
  • fbuschur
    fbuschur Posts: 57
    keep it up as long as it's fun. If you feel like you are burning yourself out - start taking rest days. I have a rule that if I didn't exercise yesterday, I have to do it today. I break it occasionally but as a rule of thumb it works for me. Some weeks are heavier than others but you just have to make sure you keep moving consistently.
  • momof3and3
    momof3and3 Posts: 656 Member
    I am not an expert, but your program looks fine to me. The pilates class can be considered a "rest" day...I know it is a good work out, but it is anaerobic....

    It does seem like a good mix...as you continue with it, you can always add in more cardio and strenght training, too. ( I run on treadmill before taking a class, and then sometimes will go and lift in gym after a class if I felt that a body part needed more...)

    Just listen to your body and if you feel like you need a day off, than definately take it....and you might need to eat back all of your calories as you start converting more fat into muscle so you don't feel weak...again just listen to your body.

    Great job with the workouts!
  • lindalee0315
    lindalee0315 Posts: 527 Member
    I agree. Keep it up as long as it's fun for you and monitor yourself for injuries. I rarely take a rest day, if you include yoga in the mix. I consider my yoga to be my "rest day". I don't ache. I have a lot of energy. I feel great. I'm not going to change what's working for me.
  • julespickles
    julespickles Posts: 28 Member
    You should have one rest day a week. Maybe add your Wednesday pilates routine to another night, since it's pretty simple to do pilates at home if you have a yoga mat.
    I go to a class with a pilates instructor, as I have a back problem and my consultant suggested doing this, so can't move it.
  • KimmieBrie
    KimmieBrie Posts: 825 Member
    I don't believe there is such a thing as too much exercise. If you are not abusing your body then I think it's fine to be as
    physically active as you can. Some people run every single day. All good unless you are injured.
  • julespickles
    julespickles Posts: 28 Member
    Thanks for all the replies guys :) I love MFP, it's got such a helpful community!
  • asyouseefit
    asyouseefit Posts: 1,265 Member
    What works for nutrition/diet, works for exercise too. Don't exercise more than you plan to exercise your whole life or you'll have trouble maintaining.
  • rileymama
    rileymama Posts: 196 Member
    I think your plan goods fine as long as you aren't killing yourself :P Normally you should have a "Rest" day, but if you do the P90X program (as an example) day 7 is rest or "X Stretch"..so I would consider the Pilates class a Rest day, since it isn't a heavy weight or cardio workout....that being said, I do agree that doing a ton of working out may make the maintenance period in the future harder to get right since your body will be used to such an aggressive schedule, but I'm sure it is something you will be able to figure out......depending on how far away your goal is, I understand wanting to hit it hard now and start getting in shape/losing weight.. Good luck !
  • julespickles
    julespickles Posts: 28 Member
    Thanks guys, I'm enjoying my exercise at the moment, but will keep a close eye on my calories if I decide to cut down. I'm a long way from goal weight (63lb to go!) so I'll keep it up for now.
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