I aim for five days a week right now, but for the past three weeks I've barely been squeezing in four. Work has been really intense, and I either haven't felt like it, or it just hasn't worked well into my schedule (throwing a mini-vacation in there didn't help things). I work out pretty intensely--cardio at least 3x a week and strength at least 2x (some days I combine). Is this enough? Do I need to kick myself back into gear and go back to five days a week? This feels so much more maintainable than five days a week--I'm really listening to my body and resting when I need rest.
Honestly I think whatever you feel is sustainable is best. The last thing you want is to have a program you can't do long term. Just listen to your body and watch the scale. If you notice fluctuations you don't like you'll know you either need to increase the exercise or cut back on the cals.
Height: 5 ft 8.5" athlete who can give a punch & certainly take one too! :)
all 365 day for me! Nothing beats exercise to make you look good and feel even better, did I mention I love to exercise, in answer to your question EVERYDAY! Whether its walking, powershopping, lifting, playing sports, hiking, gardening, rollerblading, kickboxing, exercise bike, treadmill, you name it I enjoy it all.
I exercise almost daily because if I start taking days off, I find it easy to keep taking days off. I am pretty much 7 days a week unless something gets in the way. I exercised 29 out of 30 days in June but have already missed one day in July. I am also somewhat obsessive so maybe not the best judge but I find I need to keep up my exercise to keep my weight where I want it.
To take Stella's very good question a step further, do you exercise more, less or the same as when you were losing?
I don't know what I'll do, but knowing me, it will be even more intense than now, but not quite as obsessive. I'll probably be able to cut myself some slack if I miss a workout session, like for a holiday!
I work out a little less than when I was losing. Currently I do 35-40 min of cardio 6x a week and weight training 3x a week. I'm not opposed to adding in some other activities as the opportunities arise either, but that is my baseline for exercise and totally doable. Others think I'm obsessed--I like to think that I'm dedicated! That and exercise really makes me feel good. I stiffen up like the tin man without it.
I can't imagine working out every day--what kinds of things do you guys do, and how hard do you push yourselves? I know my body rebels after about three days of working out in a row, even if it's a different kind of exercise. I have a yoga class Tues, spin class Wed (plus weight training before), and then I usually jog 3 mi. on Thurs--if I didn't take a day off after that, I wouldn't be able to make it through my eight hours on my feet running around the store at work. That being said, I don't count lifestyle things like taking the dog for a walk as exercise. Thanks everyone for the input!!!
I'm with you - 3 days in a row of formal exercise is about my limit. I usually plan 2 days of "active rest" per week, and sometimes end up taking a third. Right now my schedule is to lift weights on MWFS, plus cardio on W,Th, and sometimes on the weekend as well. My active rest days often include biking or swimming, but sometimes just a walk or work in the yard. Of course, I live in a house with lots of stairs, and sometimes I feel like I get a whole workout there!
I exercise more, now that I'm supposedly in maintenance. (I keep losing the same five to seven pounds over & over again, after losing more than 100 pounds, so I guess that's what defines maintenance for me.)
But my exercise is more varied & certainly far more sophisticated. I started by walking an hour every day & eventually, after losing a certain amount & becoming braver, started climbing up on equipment & taking various classes. I'd wanted to become a runner, but some weird foot problems prevent that. Any trail running or treadmill time is a rare treat & I only allow myself to do it once or twice a month, at most, depending on my feet.
During a typical week, I use an arc trainer & elliptical, take a spinning class, swim, do Pilates, take yoga & also lift weights. That's how I manage it seven days a week. It's all mixed up together. (I'd row if I could, too, but once I changed gym memberships, my new gym did not have rowing machines. But they are remodeling & adding on & supposed get one, which I'm looking forward to.)
This topic is definitely close to my heart! I`m just working at upping my regime again after it went right down to 1x week (pre-weight loss) after I reached my goal. Although I did not gain any weight, I noticed that I was feeling less comfortable in my body while not excercising, and I even felt that I was less careful with food. I`m now back to once every 2 days (but only since 2 weeks) and started to feel much better again (although weight stayed same).
How often do you exercise at maintenance?
I'll probably be able to cut myself some slack if I miss a workout session, like for a holiday!
