I'm in the pool 5-6 days a week: Water aerobics 3x a week for 45 minutes. Lap swim 2x a week for 30-45 minutes. Swim lesson 1x week for 1 hour. I'd be there on the 7th day if only they would open up on Sundays--just for me!
Seriously, I love swimming.
I usually save my gardening or other physical chores for my off day. Dh and I work together, enjoying each other's company and get alot done.
Never in my former life would I have thought I'd ever be this physically active and MORE IMPORTANTLY--actually enjoy it!
I do one hour of cardio (typically running or the stair master) and three hours of heavy weight training three times a week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
There have been periods where I have done more than this, but I haven't done less in 20 years. And I have never worked out more than three days a week. I push myself so hard when doing cardio and lifting that there is no way I could do either every day.
Last edited by Petite Powerhouse; 06-13-2010 at 05:12 PM.
Hm, does walking from my car to starbucks count?
Gawd I hate exercise. I wish I liked it. But then I remember what a wise maintainer said (Mel I think) "I am still an obese couch potato at heart"..which reminds me that people don't necessarily want to exercise, they just do it.
If they can make that commitment to health, so can I.
I have designated a minimum 3 times a week as mandatory. I probably get intentional exercise closer to 5 days a week, but those "extra" days I do lower intensity.
I have medical problems and a lot of pain. But I need to stop using that as an excuse from exercising. After all , I am also in pain when I am in the recliner. LOL. albeit less so, but hey I can tolerate 1/2 hour, esp since I am soooooo sedentary otherwise.
It varies according to where I am (we travel a lot) and what other things I am doing but right now I am going to the gym 4 days a week. I used to go 5 times but I kinda like having a day mid week to do other things at that time (morning).
When I walked, I aimed for atleast every other day, and preferred every day. If I couldn't get it in every day, I wouldn't beat myself up about it. But now that I'm doing the C25K I don't even walk on my off days. The program is designed as 3 days of running a week, with days "off" in between. I found that even walking can slow my muscle regeneration, so I don't mess with it.
So, I guess that's my answer. What level of intensity are you doing? If it's something that burns calories but isn't overly taxing, you can do it more often. If you are really pushing yourself on the days that you are exercising, then don't feel any guilt over taking a day or two or three off.
I used to plan for every other day, but then when something would get in the way I'd feel horrible about that missed day.
Now I try to do it every day, because I know there will be something coming up stopping me and I want to do it when I can. This works out to me working out about 4 days a week (I've been letting myself have lazy weekends and missing one day during the work week). It's been working out nice.
I'm hoping I can get more motivated and do a bit more, I usually do a half hour of some cardio, like the elliptical, treadmill, or bike. I finish up with a weight circuit they have, doing ab crunches, leg lifts and ect.
I've only recently started to exercise properly for the first time in many years. I've joined a fitness centre with a friend ... something I would never have done on my own, so I feel rather pleased with myself!
At the moment we're doing 3 days a week, usually one day swimming ... it's a 50m pool so it horrified me to begin with at how unfit I was just doing one length!! I'm now up to doing 14 lengths, which is a great acheivement for me (albeit with the odd rest!). The other two days we spend around 1.5 hours in the gym doing a mix of cardio and weights. The plan is, as we get more fit, we'll do an extra day and alternate the swimming/gym, but will probably only do a max of 4 or 5 days, as I think it's important to give your body a rest between exercising. Although we're only doing 3 days at the moment, I think for someone who has gone from doing absolutely no exercise whatsoever, it has got to be helping!
5 days a week 2.5k walk to beach with kiddo, 1.5 hour of swimming/playing in the water and then same 2.5k walk home, with added weight (backpack with beach towels etc). Every other day 25-45 min of HIIT depending on workout.
I do manage to get in one day of sleep in late/no workout which usually turns in to a long leisurely stroll round the city day to window shop and people watch
I exercise every day, but don't worry much if I miss one day a week. It's easier for me to just have it as a daily habit. On days my body feels really shot, it seems to appreciate a short walk and/or some yoga.
my total amount of daily exercise is probably pretty similar to that of someone who lives in a "walky" city like New York or Paris,
"walky" city
I just started a new exercise routine TODAY as a matter of fact. I got up 15 minutes earlier this morning & went straight to the weights! I did 12 minutes of weight lifting (when doing weight lifting, it's important not to go gung ho in the beginning, because injuries or too much soreness will just set you back!). I've been swimming since mid-spring, and I was walking every day at work until it got too hot (heat index was 104 here this past weekend and will be again today!) When it hits 98+ degrees, I will only exercise in the morning or evening, when it's cooler (& safer! who wants heat stroke??).
So anyway, my plan is this: swim OR walk OR yoga OR other cardio (biking, etc) 5 days a week, (I prefer to do my exercising outside if possible!) and weight training 2x a week (Mon & Thur). Take one day off - which will normally be Sundays... however, I am outside in/by the pool all weekend (or at the beach) so I'll be swimming or walking on my "day off" too.
I think it's important that exercise be FUN. Because if it's just a big hassle, then you won't do it for long. I also think it's a good idea to exercise at least 5-6 days a week, or at least 30 minutes EVERY day doing SOMETHING. Why? Because MOVEMENT is good for your body! - the more you move, the more you CAN move!
