how much excersize is enough?

Question

im 5'5.5 and 131 lbs. i used to weigh 120 before birth control. and now im trying to get back to 120. i eat healhy (fruits, vegies, nuts, salads, whole grains, no animal products really), i drink enough water a day, i dont really sleep enough but that can't change. one thing that i am unsure of is how much excersize is needed daily, or in that case weekly. im hoping to lose 10 lbs within 2 months or 3.

right now im doing 40 minutes of pilates daily, ab toning videos, and strength training. its too hot to add cardio in, and a gym or pool is not accesible. once it cools down (currently this summer has been 108-110 100% humidity) i want to run 30 minutes a day. is that good? is what im doing right now OK.. even though its just musle building? what do you recommend in regards to exercize daily and weekly?

Answer 1

Their big mistake is focusing on cardio and not spending any time lifting weights and building muscle." But you don't have to spend hours in the weight room to make a difference. A 10-week study conducted by Westcott of more than 2,000 women found that those who participated in a simple twice-weekly workout (20 minutes of strength training and 20 minutes of aerobic exercise) not only shed 4 pounds of fat but also regained 3 pounds of muscle they'd lost during the aging process. It's fine to do just one set, but make sure the weight is heavy enough—your muscles should be fatigued to exhaustion after the 12th rep.

Answer 2

May I suggest something? Whereever you are at - its too hot? When you awake up early in the morning before the sun comes out, why don't you do your running then? Run couple of miles until your body gets used to it and then add more miles as your body gets accustomed to it. Remember too much of anything can become a bad thing for your body. You need to sleep so that your body can effectively do its job (like breaking down food, healing what needs to be heal and relaxing the joints, muscules and tissues.) In exercising daily, do some aerobics every couple of days, weight train if you can at home (buy some weights if you have to), on the days you don't do aerobics. Once a week do a strenuous activity like hiking around a mountain, bike ride when possible. For one day work on the upper part of your body, the next day work on the lower part of your body. Don't over due it or else your body will be too tired to do anything. Do couple hours of exercise a day and that should help your body to tone up and lose weight.

Answer 3

First of all, strenght training (lifting weights) should only be done every other day, your muscles need a day to recooperate so you don't strain them. As far as cardio goes, even going for three 10min walks a day will help, and if you keep it in short intervals the heat won't bother you as much. You should exercise at least 30 minutes a day, but that can be light exercise or heavy exercise. Go for light if its too hot. If you have air conditioning and a set of steps, jog up and down the steps for 10 minutes 3 times a day and you have your cardio.

Answer 4

Sounds like you are doing great....keep it up girl!