Is this enough?

[sharond101]

I walk every day for around 90 minutes whilst pushing a pram as well as look after my very busy 18mo son and do regular housework and cleaning. Once per week I swim 3 km in an hour. I work two days per week and stand all day at work as well as walk around. Is this enough exercise??

I used to swim 6 days per week and walk more than I do now. I see now that was excessive and I have a long history of overexercising compulsively. It thus makes it hard in my head to know if I am doing enough. The only gauge have is feeling tired although that could be the interrupted sleep one has with a toddler.

Not sure.

I walk a bit more than you every day and do 3 x cardio and 2 x strength sessions a week. Also have a similar situation with regards to split between toddler wrangling and on my feet walking.

I'm sure what you say is plenty of exercise, but wouldn't feel enough for me purely as I like to get my heartrate raised and push myself for a sustained period, which I just don't get with walking/doing housework etc.

But then just seen you swim 3k a week so you probably push yourself then? It sounds like you are doing plenty, it just wouldn't quite 'get' me there, from an endorphin point of view.

on my feet working

Yes, that is more than enough. I'd say that you are pretty active. 90 minutes of walking must be 7-10km every day.

Is it enough for what?

To be healthy?

I think the standard guideline is around 45 minutes brisk walk 4 or 5 times a week so I would say 90 mins every day is more than plenty. If you do it all in one go then I would say 90 mins walk non-stop is a bit excessive but but tbh I'm not an expert and it depends how fast you walk. I wouldn't think a 60 min dog walk every day was excessive.

But its plenty enough to be healthy if thats what you mean.

Yes to be healthy.

From Harvard school of public health-

Healthy Adults
Get a minimum of 2-1/2 hours per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or a minimum of 1-1/4 hours per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, or a combination of the two. That could mean a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day, five days a week; a high-intensity spinning class one day for 45 minutes, plus a half hour jog another day; or some other combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Doubling the amount of activity (5 hours moderate- or 2-1/2 hours vigorous-intensity aerobic activity) provides even more health benefits. Adults should also aim to do muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week

So 5x 1 hr moderately brisk walks a week is considered more than the miniimum.

I'm not sure what your comment about being tired means...

I would expect the right amount of exercise to make me feel less tired not more. So immediately after/during a run I feel but within 30 minutes and for the rest of the day I don't feel tired.

Tired could indeed be toddler or it could be a bit too much exercise. Or not enough variety.

I run 3 days a week and its recommended that you take at least a days break in between - I swim on my off days sometimes or I do something which is stregth or yoga based on the wii.