I am hoping some of those super muscley and fit men folk out there in the group will help me tackle this one. I have always considered myself a fit but fat guy. Always had the gut and weight problems, but still have been able to keep up with my thinner friends when doing activities, if not pass them all together. A great piece of proof that skinny doesnt necessarily mean fit. But anyhow, since I started working in earnest at achieving my goals, I have discovered I love exrcising and look forward to doing it every day. But am I doing too much? Is there such a thing as too much? I think of bike couriers, construction workers and any physically intensive job where the workers are exercising 8 hours (or more) a day, and no one tells them to slow down. Yet ALL my heavy friends constantly try to get me to slow down my current workout schedule to less than half of what it is now. Perhaps I will give you a run down on an average week for me.

Mon - Fri

-Walking everyday 30 minutes at lunch time (gets me out of the office) 3km

-Walking 3-5 days a week home from work - 1 hour - 6km
(on days I do not walk home I go to the gym and hit the treadmill for 45-60 minutes on top of a 45 minute weight work out)

Also in the office I do between 50 - 100 pushups a day to keep myself warm or wake myself up (when needed)

At home

the Biggest loser workout dvd 6-week program - 6 days a week
alternating 2 X 1 week programs
1 week of low intensity cardio one day and strengthening/sculpting the next - 30 min - 6 days
1 week of high intensity cardio one day and boot camp the next - 30 min - 6 days

Recently added 5 days a week of moderate intensity spin bike for 40 minutes while watching tv in my living room

Weekends

minimum 1-2 hours walk each day

1 day of the biggest loser (as per 6 day program) - 30 minutes

1 day of either pilates or core (ball) exercise - 30 minutes


So I do a minimum of 2.5 hours a day of good exercise that gets me sweating (even the 30 minute lunch walk)

-somedays more

Now, I know to some that might see like a lot. But I explain to everyone that I really have been training to get to this point for at least the last 6 months. I started walking 15 minutes a day, then 30, then lunch time and 15 romthe bus stop, then a further bus stop, and so on until my lower back no longer was stiff or sore when I did a marathon walk. I started doing easy aerobics 2-3 times a week 6 months ago, slowly building up until I was physically able to do the biggest loser workout (killer by the way, not for those just beginning) and the spin bike is a new addition.

And not only is it working, but I am not sore everyday (other than the burn right after the workouts) I stretch and warm up properly for every exercise, and I know how to listen to my body to know when I need to back off. For the first time in my life, even at 267 pounds, my body can handle full impact aerobics!!!

On the other hand, I DO NOT stop working out when I have a sinus infection, it is raining, I have company coming or I have a mild strain or sprain. I am tired of finding every excuse to postpone or cancle workouts (like EVERYONE I know here locally in China) I think my leg would have to be broken in 4 places in order to keep me from walking. And even then, find me a wheelchair..... Unless the arms are broken too.

So there we go. 2.5-3 hours every day. I feel good and I love the feeling I have after I am finished. I have recently been doing 100 pushups a day (from my past record of a maximum of 5) and even started running 1 day a week. Both things I NEVER EVER EVER thought I would be able to do in my life.

So really, am I doing something dreadfully wrong by working out so much? If I am not hurting myself and feel so motivated, energetic and excited about exercise, should I not pursue it?

Or are my friends (all the big ones anyways) full of crap when they tell me more than 30 minutes a day is unhealthy? My wife thinks it is a little jealousy because they are not at a point they can do the same and since misery loves company, they would rather I stay big like them.

For my money I would rather do the exercise I can while I can. At almost 40 I know it only gets harder form here on in.

Why not enjoy it while it lasts?

Any suggestions or advice??

Thanks in Advance!

sirant

Sounds fine to me. I do a similar amount if i can (have been for 7-8 months). You can never really have too much unless you arnt eating enough or have a heart condition.
Most of that seems cardio based and a portion muscle toneing so i dont see what the problem is.

Keep up the good work!

Great to hear from you wishes!!

Not only am I happy to hear you have been doing the same (explains the pictures!) but unbelievably nice to find out you are also a "linux guru"! Nerd Power!! I am a bit of a super nerd too, which is a big part of why it took me sooo long to get my poop together enough to start this journey in earnest. When I was working for HP back in Canada I was pulling 70 hour weeks, so I rarely if ever had the time or energy to exercise. Now as a teacher I get a square 40 hours a week. More than enough time to add an extra 20 hours of exercise. And as I said, as much as administering a Debian server is fun, I kinda like walking and cardio more......

Some nerd I turned out to be.... Exercise over Linux..... My nerd buddies back home would be horrified and maybe even drop their dorittos and cokes...

Well, probably not, but you get the idea...


sirant

Good morning,

One thing jumped out at me:

>> I feel good and I love the feeling I have after I am finished. <<

Methinks you have the answer right there. If it works for you and you feel wonderful, of course you should continue.

I think your wife is right that your friends can't show the same achievements....so they're more comfortable if you're in the same condition they are.

Congrats on your accomplishments!

iaf

double woot for the geeks
I know what you mean about hard finding the time, but to be honest, Its just an excuse like the many others.
I work 2 jobs and have 4 kids, and i still manage to find the time

But the whole 'i work to much' is probably the most valid excuse we make up for ourselves anyway