Exercise

[Flufz]

Just been told I do too much exercise! And now I’m wondering if I do too much exercise? Im 47 and peri menopausal. I enjoy exercise and it helps me manage my stress levels. Each week I usually do two 5 mile jogs with DH for cardio, one Pilates class for flexibility/core, two or three weight sessions for muscle/bone strength. I have an office based job but walk to work, which takes 25 minutes each way.

"Obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated"

Hth Op

It’s a similar amount to what I do and I don’t feel like I’m excessively exercising. It’s barely any time out of my week at all!

Also, the running being bad for your knees is a myth! Don’t stop running if you’re enjoying it and not having any issues from it.

I’m gobsmacked. I’m 52 and do slightly less than you and would love to do more. I think it helps my MH, my sleep, and manages my joint pain as well as prevents osteoporosis. The only thing stopping me doing more is work and family commitments.

Too much at any age is bad

Weight training should be incorporated to your habits to help protect joints

But people who run seem to be in better shape than those who don't

But people who run seem to be in better shape than those who don't

I disagree with that, I like dancer & yoga bodies personally.

appearance wise I like a semi toned gym look - womanly curves combined with strength. Shape wise, the mix of gym, aerobic and flexibility training probably give the best overall health results.

On average I do each of these at least twice a week and feel fit and not burnt out/injured… run, mountain bike, weights in the gym using caroline girvan, and asana rebel strength/stretch yogary type app.

I walk/run up mountains approx once a month too.

I feel fit and active and not over the top

what expert level of sports science did your friend study and how many peer reviewed articles on the subject did your friend publish?

Your friend sounds like he’s trying to put you down to make himself feel better about his own inadequacies.

In what context did he say it?

E.g. you were moaning about not having time to do something and he said 'well that's because you spend too much time exercising'.... Or you saying you were injured and he suggested cutting back on the exercise..... There must have been a reason behind his comment?

There is an argument that exercising everyday gives your body no time to recover.

And I personally subscribe to the idea that it’s not healthy to rely so heavily on one coping mechanism. It’s not mentally healthy IMO to be unable to enjoy a rest day or four.

But it’s all personal isn’t it.

Running trashing your knees was debunked years ago.
As long as you aren’t injured or underweight that amount is fine, a lot of people these days are so sedentary it will sound like alot

I thought too much cardio was bad for the knees/joints as we get older?
What's really bad for your joints is inactivity, being sedentary, having poor muscle tone and flexibility, and being overweight.
OP, sounds like your friend is trying to make himself feel good about his levels of inactivity by making you feel bad about your levels of activity. Try posting on a triathlon forum - be prepared to be called a slacker

That's not too much as long as you aren't suffering. I'm 49 and this week I have body pump, kickboxing, circuit class, parkrun, 14000 steps a day and over 20000 on my two office days. No injuries or diet.
The only thing I am neglecting is yoga as I can't find a class to fit round work and the kids.

It's a fallacy that too much cardio damages the joints, even if you are on-road running.

Yes, if you don't do any other training it might (unlikely still) - but with weights in the mix, you will have better (less inflamed) joints than a sedentary person.

Low impact cardio does not protect against osteoporosis in the same way either.

If you have poor form doing things, then that could damage joints, but if you regularly exercise you will be more body conscious and thus be unlikely to have ongoing poor form.

I am fat and do more exercise than you, OP, and if it isn't too much for you, then it isn't too much. It sounds like a great balance to me.

Possibly beer sports science and beer rather than peer reviewed articles. But seriously he is day to day a very level reliable friend and so I’ve appreciated having everyone’s feedback

He was concerned for a friend who does three or four hours exercise daily and then mentioned I do too much. However I appreciate exercise isn’t his hobby and this will sway his judgment.

😝