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Original poster

How much exercise do you actually do?

177 replies

whimsicalname · 04/01/2015 02:51

That's it really. I think I've got in with the wrong crowd at my running club who all seem to workout 2 or more hours a day. Please tell me I'm not the only one not doing that.

OP posts:
Goodwordguide · 05/01/2015 17:16

I do practically nothing as I work nearly FT, have 3 small children and study in my spare time. Plus my commute means I already get up at 5.30 on the days I work so I don't really have spare half hours etc in the morning.

I'm not completely inactive as I hate driving so walk everywhere and even go for the occasional run. But I would love to do more structured exercise. Don't know what my BMI is but I'm a size 8 so don't want to lose weight but would love to have more energy and a better level of fitness. Tempted by the 10,000 steps a day plan to at least inspire me to build more activity into my day.

Suzannewithaplan · 05/01/2015 17:21

re power vs endurance sports
athletes will tend to gravitate to one or the other depending on pre existing physiology and muscle fibre type.

sleepwhenidie · 05/01/2015 18:29

Also you shouldn't confuse losing fat with losing weight. Endurance training can lead to a lot of weight loss but may be muscle loss which for most people, isn't desirable. An increase in muscle due to weight training will result in weight gain but also contribute to fat loss. Weight training also has numerous other benefits, especially for women (decreased likelihood of osteoporosis and hormonal benefits). HIIT seems to be best for fat burning alone.

If weight loss stops when marathon training then my instinct would be to agree with Suzanne (if I understood your point correctly Suzanne), it's likely you aren't eating enough and your body is working very hard to conserve it's reserves. It's clever like that sometimesSmile

sleepwhenidie · 05/01/2015 18:30

Apology for rogue ' in it's!

Suzannewithaplan · 05/01/2015 18:44

I can see now that my wording was ambiguous Sleep, actually I meant that perhaps Annie was eating more when marathon training!

I can only speak for my myself and even then I could be wrong, perhaps we are all black boxes, the relationship between input and output is inherently mysterious and unknowable Confused

I exercise for the high, I'm too delicate for a drug habit Blush

rookiemere · 05/01/2015 18:47

Hee Hee - I run to escape my family mostly - feel like a caged animal in the hols if I haven't managed to get out for a swift half (hour plod running).

sleepwhenidie · 05/01/2015 18:59

Endorphins are more powerful than morphine Suzanne, don't kid yourself SmileWink

Romann · 05/01/2015 20:09

I run about 50km per week, cycle 12km per day (to work and back) and do about 1 hour of intense yoga per day. I play tennis a couple of times a week too, but consider that a fun pastime rather than exercise really.

I don't have any friends or acquaintances I'm aware of who do that much exercise. I guess it's around 2 hours per day averaged out.

JemimaMuddledUp · 05/01/2015 20:35

I swim for 30 mins 3 times a week. I walk to work and back 5 days a week, which is 3 miles (just under an hour a day). I do an hour of yoga once a week.

I used to run, but I'm not allowed to now after having a trapped nerve in my knee. So I swim instead.

I would struggle to find time to do much more as I work FT and have 3 DC with assorted activities. I try to fit round them, eg swimming at the same time as DD has a lesson, but there are only so many hours in a day.

goodasitgets · 05/01/2015 20:40

Average week, pole fitness x 1hr, ride x 2hrs
Good week as above plus 3hrs in gym or with PT
BMI 31 ish, size 16

Claybury · 05/01/2015 21:09

To those of you with young children it should get easier in a few years as before long you will be able to pop out for a run in the evenings and leave them for a while. Looking after very young DC's is also very tiring and now mine are in their teens I have way more inclination to exercise.
I like to think it sets a good example to my DC's that I value my exercise routine.
Having said that, I n a Saturday morning I can run 8 miles before my eldest 2 wake up. I'm fortunate DH is around a lot so getting to running club in the evenings isn't a problem.
OP - club runners tend to do a lot of mileage. They also complain a lot of injury ....

CaminanteNoHayCamino · 05/01/2015 21:45

Thank you people of the thread. You've just inspired me to do about 45 minutes of my Wii Zumba class! Now I need to keep to my January run challenge of twice a week - baby steps to start. I can run up to 10k but haven't had much luck with fitness and illness this past year so hoping for better luck in 2015.

ThePerfect1IThinkNot · 05/01/2015 22:12

Just back from an hour of Pilates and I do 45 minutes of intensive boxing on Wednesdays. I walk a mile each way to the station Monday to Friday. I've previously trained for and done the Moonwalk in under 8 hours but am probably a bit too much of a couch potato for a lot of the time. I work full time and run a vintage business part time so there is a lot of carrying of boxes of stock in and out of venues.

I have never been as fit as I feel now at 54 hopefully it will continue to improve as my work life balance flexes favourably in the future.

stepaway1 · 05/01/2015 22:43

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IronMaggie · 06/01/2015 00:34

Interesting thread. I've been called an exercise addict, but I think there are a few people here who do more than I do! I'm lucky to have a very supportive DP, who's happy to be with the DCs while I go on early morning runs / sprint training in the evening / away matches etc. I've realised that I get very sad when I don't exercise for a day or two.

When he's away, if I'm stuck at home I'll tend to do a workout in the spare room - usually strength training with heavy weights, or bodyweight circuits - the fitnessblender website is a favourite of mine.

And agree that not ironing or watching TV are essential to fit it all in - I still don't get enough sleep though!

IronMaggie · 06/01/2015 00:37

I should add - I'm not advocating what I do at all; I have quite low bf% and suspect it may be what caused my periods to stop. So I'm considering working in some lower intensity stuff, maybe yoga or swimming more regularly as well.

Nana2013 · 06/01/2015 06:43

It's quality not quantity!
Diet is really important too some say your fitness/wellness is 80% diet(the food you eat) & 20% exercise.
2 hours a day is a hell of a lot of exercise!!

sleepwhenidie · 06/01/2015 07:54

I'd agree with that too Nana, two hours a day is a hell of a lot and more than most people can practically fit into a day (particularly if you exclude a walking/cycling commute). Quality is more important, along with consistency.

Roonerspism · 06/01/2015 08:05

Pre-kids I was very active. Weekends were spent hiking/mountaineering. In the week I would run at least three times and do other stuff.

No way do I have 2 hours a day now. I work and have the kids and other hobbies. But I still try to do something formal for half hour every day eg kettles or weights as well as bring active at weekends and walking the dog. I also do yoga, even if only ten minutes a day.

Interestingly, I feel healthier now for exercising less, have fewer colds and conceived subsequent kids quicker. For me, less is more.

Suzannewithaplan · 06/01/2015 08:25

I find that there is a limit to the amount of exercise I can do before I start to feel depleted, its down to intensity as well as time. For example an hours running drains my battery about as much as two hours cycling.

For me it's a negative feedback system which means that I don't overdo it, if I do too much I feel ill so I have to take a break. I am very tuned in to how I feel so I back off before I get to the point of overtraining.

The thing about being addicted to exercise, generally this is an accusation, it's seen as a problem, well I also spend 2 or 3 hours a day reading ?I doubt anyone would accuse me of being addicted to books?
?
Iam never ill, I can't remember the last time I had a cold, don't think I've ever had flu

Roonerspism · 06/01/2015 08:30

suzanne sounds like your body can tolerate it. Mine couldn't and I often felt depleted.

However I understand more about nutrition now which probably also helps.

I'm very jealous you can exercise 2 hours a day and read! Can I have your life Grin

Suzannewithaplan · 06/01/2015 08:44

I am in my late 40's, my life is pretty low stress, live alone beholden to no one.

it wasnt always like that, not by a long chalk!

When I was younger dependant children, generally ?more stress/hassle with work / partner/ kids, my energy levels were lower, I didn't exercise as much

Suzannewithaplan · 06/01/2015 08:46

Children and husbands...very bad for your health

Roonerspism · 06/01/2015 09:02

Very true! I'm sure some study said the general health and stress levels of married women with young kids is not great!

Enjoy your time - sounds like you have earned it Grin

Suzannewithaplan · 06/01/2015 09:08

thanks Roonerspin:)
I did my bit and I am very pleased to finally get my life back!