how much is too much and what's normal

jazz0matic
jazz0matic Posts: 38
edited December 17 in Fitness and Exercise
I like being active and more recently I've started worrying about losing weight. Part of that has been making sure my activity level is more consistent. Now I can't figure out what's enough or too much. So what does an average exercise schedule look like for you?

On a totally ideal day I aim to do:
60 minutes of body conditioning (strength + cardio training, am gym class)
60 minutes of cycling usually between 12 and 17 miles (12 is my work commute uphill, 17 is at the gym on good tension)
60 minutes of swim or resistance or yoga (really just whatever pm class at my gym is my favorite that day)
30 minutes of walking (3 10 minute walk breaks at work)
15 minutes of light calisthenics (just before bed)

I usually get in about 2/3 of this (typically missing my AM conditioning class or my PM gym time for scheduling reasons) 5-7 days a week. I've actually followed this kind of schedule for a few years now (though previously less consistently as I've mentioned). I haven't had any problems with it and the combination of this and more mindful intake has already produced results. However the other day a close friend who had lost a significant amount of weight and has kept it off for years was a little aghast at my exercise routine. He thought it was much to high. I, on the other hand, get super down on myself for not being able to make that last 60-75 minutes a day. Now I'm questioning if this is a normal activity level or if this is just me wanting to push myself to be healthier faster.

Replies

  • Anayalata
    Anayalata Posts: 391 Member
    There's nothing wrong with almost 4 HOURS! of exercise.

    I personally aim for 1 hour of plain MOVEMENT a day, but as long as you're eating enough to match what you're exercising, keep at it.

    I wouldn't be too hard on yourself though. Most people do about an hour a day and that's it. Anything more than that and you're training for something, be it a marathon or rock climbing or whatever.
  • Toddrific
    Toddrific Posts: 1,114 Member
    It seems really inefficient. I'd think doing 60 minutes at 4 times the intensity would be much more beneficial.
  • jazz0matic
    jazz0matic Posts: 38
    It seems really inefficient. I'd think doing 60 minutes at 4 times the intensity would be much more beneficial.

    Most of the things I listed are at pretty high intensities for my level. Body Conditioning is a PMax class which usually kicks my *kitten*, when I swim I do a 4500 in that hour, and 17 miles an hour of biking is on a tension setting of 18 out of 20. So I don't know what more I could actually handle. I really just want to know what you guys do in a day or week so I can compare.
  • Toddrific
    Toddrific Posts: 1,114 Member
    I try to do an hour of cardio every other day.
    On the other days i do 1 hour of lifting and 30 minutes of cardio.
  • kfuog
    kfuog Posts: 24 Member
    You must have fantastic time management skills. Or this is your priority in life. Or both. I think that's an amazingly ambitious schedule, and I think I'm pretty fit. I would love to be able to work out for 90 minutes per day, but I don't have the time. Literally. But you asked about other people's exercise regimes. Mine breaks down best by day of the week, although I usually do 30 minutes of brisk walking each week day.

    Monday: 120 minutes teaching karate
    Tuesday: 60 minutes Boot Camp (cardio and weight training) and 15 minutes training karate
    Wednesday, Thursday, Friday -- work out doing whatever I can if I can find the time(!)
    Saturday: 60 minutes Group Kick (cardio martial arts to music) and 15-30 minutes training karate
    Sunday: 15-30 cardio warm up and 60 minutes Group Power (cardio weight lifting)

    What I don't like about my schedule is that the exercise is all at one end of the week. But that's just the way it works out, what with working, the commute, family, etc.
  • steviegreeks
    steviegreeks Posts: 35 Member
    Mon - Treadmill 30min & weights 30min
    Tue- Thai boxing training (pretty hardcore)
    Wed- Social Netball
    Thur - Zumba
    Fri - Weights and Cardio circuit style class
    Sat - Yoga and a big walk if weather is nice
    Sun- Treadmill 30min weights 30min

    I work 5 days a week and am on my feet all day as well as walking to and from work, to gym (anywhere as I don't drive :))

    That's me!

    I think what you're doing is fine, I just don't have the time : p
  • jazz0matic
    jazz0matic Posts: 38
    You must have fantastic time management skills. Or this is your priority in life. Or both. I think that's an amazingly ambitious schedule, and I think I'm pretty fit. I would love to be able to work out for 90 minutes per day, but I don't have the time. Literally. But you asked about other people's exercise regimes. Mine breaks down best by day of the week, although I usually do 30 minutes of brisk walking each week day.

    Well it is my ideal day and I can't always fit in everything, but I try. It helps that I don't have kids and I live 1 block from my gym and as a librarian my bike to work commute is something I can manage (ie I don't do a ton of activity at work).

    Thanks for sharing, it gives me a lot of insight.
  • Amy_Lee_2012
    Amy_Lee_2012 Posts: 156 Member
    I workout between 2 and 3 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    I do an hour and a half of Tae Bo in the morning and then another 45min. to an hour and a half Tae Bo workout at night.
    I am waiting on my weights to be delivered and once they are, I will start weight lifting 3-4 days a week as well.

    I feel absolutely terrible if I don't workout each day. There are certainly days I don't want to workout, but I force myself to.
    If I had more time and/or energy, I'd work out more.
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    Holy cr##, how much time do you have?
    I run 8k every other day (avg 1h) and try and remember to do some push ups and strength on the other days (0-30min). I don't think i have the time for much more. Ok, I do spend 1-2h every day walking my dog, but that doesn't really qualify as ambitious exercise....
  • EBFNP
    EBFNP Posts: 529 Member
    That is A LOT, IMO! You really only need like 60 minutes at the most 90 for an effective fitness program.
  • jazz0matic
    jazz0matic Posts: 38
    Holy cr##, how much time do you have?
    I run 8k every other day (avg 1h) and try and remember to do some push ups and strength on the other days (0-30min). I don't think i have the time for much more. Ok, I do spend 1-2h every day walking my dog, but that doesn't really qualify as ambitious exercise....

    *blush* well it's just; an hour in the morning before work, 1/2 hour bike commute, walking during my breaks, 1/2 bike home, hour after work, and 15 minutes before bed. I used to have a more active job so maybe I'm used to being more worn out.

    thanks for your input :)
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    sund : 30 minutes cardio (including 15 minuteHIIT) + 35-45 minutes of strength training
    mon : 60 minutes of cardio (involving intervals)
    tues: 30 minutes cardio (including 15 minuteHIIT) + 35-45 minutes of strength training
    wed: 60 minutes of cardio (involving intervals)
    thurd : 30 minutes cardio (including 15 minuteHIIT) + 35-45 minutes of strength training
    friday: 60 minutes of cardio (15 mins steady state + 45 minute HIIT)
    saturday : off or 60 minutes aerobics or yoga or 60 minute easy walk

    the above happens during 1 visit to the gym. if i have time and am bored then sometimes i go twice, but if i do that it's usually for a water aerobics class or a yoga class. at the moment i'm more focused on strength training and reaching my goals of being able to do unassisted chin-ups and squat and deadlift my body weight, so i'm not doing much more that will interfere with recovery

    i agree with the poster who said your workouts seem inefficient. for instance if you're able to strength or resistance train twice in a day then you can just increase the weight of one of your training sessions (enough that it's like 70-85% of your max strength) and get better results than if you train twice a day with lower weights.
  • taryn_09
    taryn_09 Posts: 196 Member
    whoa dang that is a lot of activity there, if i get my hour in im lucky.

    monday: weights for 50 min cycle class for 60 min
    tuesday: weights for 50 min + half mile sprint (or 3 min plyo drills)
    wednesday: 60 min cycle class
    thursday: weights for 50 + half mile sprint (or 3 min plyo )
    friday: mile run.
    saturday: rest
    sunday: 30 min leg day & 5 min plyo .
  • Allison22451
    Allison22451 Posts: 686 Member
    IM NORMAL!!
    (what was the other question?)
  • jazz0matic
    jazz0matic Posts: 38
    at the moment i'm more focused on strength training and reaching my goals of being able to do unassisted chin-ups and squat and deadlift my body weight, so i'm not doing much more that will interfere with recovery

    Nice! I think strength goals are the best! I'm so excited for you :D
  • Lolli1986
    Lolli1986 Posts: 500 Member
    I guess too much is when you start getting tired all the time.

    Normal for people who manage to maintain a reasonably high level of fitness is probably an average of 60-90 mins dedicated exercise daily 5-7 days a week, of varying intensity.
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