How much exercise do you do each week, and why?

[Blissybop]

Bit of a debate with a friend about how much the average person exercises so I was wondering if you were being totally honest how much do you excercise? Not just the gym but any sport, class, hiking etc.

And also why? As in why do you/don’t you?

Apologies, I haven’t RTFT but your post caught me because it is one of the first. If you are looking to avoid loss of bone density and you are already in your 60s, do look at the Royal Osteoporosis Society exercise videos. I say this because lots of people over the age of 50 are walking around not knowing that they already have osteopenia/osteoporosis and won’t know it until they break a bone. Obviously, I’m not saying that you are one of those people, but if you want to get ahead of the game take a look at some of their suggestions for maintaining bone density.

Funny thing about DOMS. I've waited four years for two hip surgeries.. my muscles slowly wasting. Four months post surgery some of the exercises I've been given to stretch then strengthen my muscles once again are I suspect causing tiny tears. Certainly my operation scars are feeling tingly as I'm stretching everything out again.

I liken it to kneading and stretching dough. It's got to be done if I want to put my socks on again and paint my toenails.

Before hip issues I had no idea that muscle shrinkage and rebuilding them existed and would be my greatest challenge.

Thanks for the tip, but I've been doing weight-bearing and impact exercises since my early 30s.

I can't figure out if I should start another thread or not.

Obviously yes. Just stuff that isnt going to aggravate DOMS.

Was PP saying that "no exercise" = "nothing that causes you sore muscles later?" I never get sore muscles, so only days that cause sore muscles = an exercise day?

Should I start a different thread to ask what people think a rest day is, and then write what they would do on an exercise day for comparison? Or should I ask that question here?

I feel like I did "nothing" today.
In terms of physical activity, I actually cycled 4-5 miles & slowly walked maybe 2 miles. Was that "nothing" enough to be a rest day? Or, are all my days = rest days since I never get sore muscles?

I intended to go swimming today but wasn't feeling enthused, hence my "nothing" day.

For me
exercise day: an hour of lifting weights, a run, HIIT class.
rest day: nothing that creates significant fatigue or muscle damage. Walking or casual bike ride fine.

I sometimes think my nothing days are more active than some people’s active days so I know what you mean. 14000 steps a day on average. More at the weekend. And 40 minutes weights 2 or 3 times a week. But I’m not very fit…

I would suggest it’s relative. You’re not (I assume) a professional athlete, so your nothing means your normal day. An athlete would literally take an elevator and stay on the sofa - from what I’ve read - between efforts, but they are doing AM and PM sessions. Exercise should raise your heart rate and gets you out of breath, rest days allow you to recover from effort, so I’d suggest it’s the difference that matters, but if you are just very active and your body is coping then all good.
I don’t have a day doing nothing, but I wouldn’t run every day, nor lift weights, so I cross train to rest muscle groups. If I’m returning after a holiday, I build back up slowly to allow my body to adjust and avoid injury.

If you feel energetic and avoid injury, that would suggest you are getting it right.