I work out six or seven days a week. Is that too often?

Question

I'm 5"5 and weigh 115lbs, trying to get down to 105lbs as quickly as possible. I'm not over-working out (like 2-3 hours at a time or something, more like 45-75 minutes depending on my schedule) and am eating reasonably healthy. Just wondering if all this exercise is hurting more than helping...if there is too much of a good thing?

I just love the way working out makes me feel and don't want to miss a day or two because then I'll get out of the habit.

My workout usually is 30-60 minutes of powerwalking and then spurts of running on the treadmill, and then ab, lower back, and leg machines for about 25-30 minutes.

I meant I'm NOT working out 2-3 hours, only 45-75 minutes depending on my schedule.

Answer 1

Proper rest is very important when training. Our bodies grow during these times of rest. If you are resting adequately then you may work out as much as you want.

Answer 2

What kind of workout are you doing 6-7 days a week? Anywhere between 45 minutes and 3 hours?

If all you do is low intensity cardio, it may be ok. It depends on how fast your body can recover from a workout. Your body will let you know if you are doing to much. I.e. you do your normal routine (to include eat and sleep) but wake up tired or feel sluggish throughout the day, or it is harder to do what you normally do during a workout.

When that happens take some extra time off, like an extra day or 2. But similarly to when it is fatigued, you'll be able to tell when your body is back to full strength and ready to go.

Answer 3

Do your cardio every day or even twice a day but if you are also strength training at least rest a day in between so your muscles have time to re-coop and get stronger if you break them down with no rest then you just loose muscle and no fat. you may way 105 in the end but you will be flabby... 105 maybe a bit under weight I am 5'2" and 105.. remember muscle weighs more then fat so if you maintain weight but lose muscle you will look better then losing muscle weight and being flabby.

Answer 4

Six days is fine, 7 is too many.

"Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the 7th day is the Sabbath of the L-RD".....

Your body was designed to rest on the Sabbath day. So at the end of your workweek on Friday afternoon, relax! Take some time off! Put your worries aside for a day. You can pick them up again after sunset on Saturday night.

Answer 5

that depends what your workout consists of. if it's weight training one day and cardio another thats good. but if it's all cadio all the time for hours a day, make sure your balancing your diet with your excersise.

Answer 6

105 would be underweight for your height. You should be around 120 lbs.

Answer 7

The following healthy living recommendations will help you if you’re trying to lose weight, tone up your muscles, have aspirations of building lean muscle mass, are attempting to get a wash board stomach, or just want to feel better:

*1) Burn more calories then you're consuming everyday and measure your results using the following formula: Calories Consumed minus Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) minus Physical Activity minus the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF). A website that explains this formula in more detail and will help you determine how many calories you need to reach or maintain a certain weight is at http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/weight/calsburned.htm

Get an online, desktop, or cell phone diet and fitness calculator. This will allow you to easily calculate the above formula, set goals, log your daily calorie consumption, and register your physical activities.

Set realistic goals for your ideal body weight. Here are two websites that will calculate a suggested body weight:
Adults: http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm
Teens/Children: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/exercise/weight/bmi.html

It is difficult and unhealthy to lose more than one or two pounds per week. There are 3,500 calories in a pound. If you eat 500 fewer calories per day for a week you will lose one pound. If you burn through exercise 500 more calories per day for a week you will lose one pound.

Here are two articles on how to break through a weight loss plateau:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/86/99147.htm
http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/18/102117.htm

*2) Eat natural and organic foods found on earth versus something created by a corporation to make money. Eat meals in small portions throughout the day and take a good multi-vitamin supplement.

Do not try fad diets or diet pills. Avoid “High Glycemic Load Carbs” (sugar, pastries, desserts, refined starches such as breads, pasta, refined grains like white rice; high starch vegetables such as potatoes) and drink lots of water. Read this article for more information on high GL Carbs:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates.html

The following are food pyramids and several articles on what you should eat everyday:
Food Pyramids:
http://www.rayandterry.com/html/images/PyramidLRG.gif?osCsid=26a424be471d1337e7c2f105d5c64d9d
http://www.mypyramid.gov/
Antioxidant Superstars - Vegetables and Beans:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/104/107638.html
Antioxidant Loaded Fruits:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/104/107640.html
Good Carbs Mean Better Weight:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/100/105783.htm
The Benefits of Protein:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/85/98824.htm
Some Fats Are Good For You:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/49/40075.htm
Antioxidants in Green and Black Tea:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/104/107641.html
What You Should Eat Daily:
http://www.oprah.com/health/yourbody/slide/slide_yourbody_healthfood_201.jhtml
Best Foods to Fight off Disease and Keep You Healthy:
http://www.oprah.com/health/yourbody/slide/slide_yourbody_healthfood_101.jhtml

*3) Perform cardiovascular, core, and/or strength training on most days. Read a book or find a certified trainer to make sure you're doing all exercises correctly.

The following is a website and numerous articles on cardiovascular, core, and strength training:
Exercise Prescription on the Net
http://www.exrx.net/
Starting an Exercise Program:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/startexercise.htm
Strength Training Basics:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/trainbasics.htm
Cardiovascular Machine Workouts:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/cardiowork.htm
Balance Your Way to a Stronger Body:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/64/72314.htm
Understanding Your Training Heart Rate:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/thr.htm
Exercise Errors:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/errors.htm
Getting a Flat Stomach:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/71/81365.htm
Weight Lifting - Does Order Matter:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/80/96440.htm
Encouraging Exercise in Your Kids:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/95/103524.htm
Strength Training Safe and Effective for Kids:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/32/1728_81005.htm

*4) Get plenty of sleep. Sleep experts say most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health, and safety.

*5) Educate yourself continually on health issues and make a life long commitment to good health. A great free publication is “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005”. A reputable test you can take to measure your biological age is at http://realage.com
Look at all areas where you can enhance your health. For example, make improvements in the quality of the air you breathe. Review outdoor air quality forecasts where you live and get an indoor air purifier.

Send me an email or yahoo instant message to "gainbetterhealth" if you have any questions and good luck!

*Click on all the source links below to get the full benefit of the recommendations. The answers presented to your health questions are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.