How much is enough exercise?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2005
How much is enough exercise?
3
Tue, 09-27-2005 - 9:03am
I started back at the gym after a 3 year hiatus a few weeks ago. My "muscle head" cousin happens to go the same gym as me and last night told me I'd never lose weight if I only work out an hour a day. I lost about 35 pounds 5 years ago by going to the gym 4 days a week, doing 35 to 45 minutes of cardio and spending the rest of the hour on weight training and/or abs. Of course I was 5 years younger then and I'm certain my metabolism has slowed. Does anyone think he's right? I work 9 hours a day (10 if you include my commute) and have a hard enough time staying at the gym for an hour after work when all I really want to go is go home. Should I be working out at least 2 hours a day like he suggested?
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2005
Tue, 09-27-2005 - 11:20am

Hi

I think that the main thing is the intensity of your workout. Of course exercising longer would help but if time is limiting put the most into the hour you have. Make sure you really push yourself so that you feel your heart racing, but not so much that you are not able to last the entire workout. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest intensity that you can maintain for a few minutes, and 1 is the usual activities, you want to train at level 7. Good luck

Phili

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2005
Tue, 09-27-2005 - 3:51pm
Thanks for the advice phili! I'll keep you posted on my progress!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-1998
Tue, 09-27-2005 - 3:55pm
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