Am I overdoing it??

[Autienotnaughtie]

For the past few years I've done yoga and dog walking. As I've got older I've started to have back issues so I took up Pilates. More recently I've joined a gym. I work Thursday-Saturday. I can't exercise early mornings, evenings or weekends (other than at home exercise) so I do most of my exercise Monday- Wednesday between 9-3. This is my week-

Monday- 1 hour zumba, 1 hour yoga, 2x 15m physio stretches. 2x 45 min dog walks. 30 min school run.

Tuesday - 2 x 15min physio, 2 x 45min dog walk , 30 min swim (20 lengths), 30min walk school run.

Wednesday- 45 min gym session, 1 hour pilates, 2x 45 min dog walk, 2 x 15 min physio , 30 min school run walk.

Thursday - Sunday I do the physio stretches and 1 dog walk each day .

Dh says I'm over doing it . Does it sound too much?

Yes my job is largely sitting. Monday- Wednesday i average around 15k steps , working days are around 6k. Weekends usually around 10k

Is your husband concerned that you aren't doing everything you used to do for him at home now that you are exercising more on your days off work?

Or is he scared you will discover a life away from him and the house?

Seems weird that he goes the gym himself but doesn't like it that you are and is trying to put you off.

It’s all relative though. I’ve taught Outdoor Education since I was 18. I’m 40 now, so it’s just ingrained to be active, without even thinking about it as being exercise.

I do these things for enjoyment rather than fitness… fitness is a by product.

OP, the overdoing question, is that in relation to possible back problems?

Are you simply asking if we think you’re overdoing exercise?

Are you someone who gets into/obsessed with things and your husband is seeing this happening with your fitness regime?

i would exercise more if I didn’t work full-time ( also a single parent). I do an hour at the gym Sat and Sun, and maybe 45 mins three times a week. I walk 20 mins each way to work. Days I am not at the gym, I go for a 45 min walk with DS in the evening, and play tennis once a week.
The gym is only in the last year as DS is old enough now to stay at home or to come with me . Before that we used to go swimming, which I need to start up again.

The impact of this on my house is quite noticeable, in so far as it is just much harder to keep on top of ironing and tidying when I am out of the house more. But I ensure to give everything a good clean and tidy at the weekend as much as I can and that needs to do. Cleaning and tidying is also exercise, even ironing. So I would wonder what he expects you to do on the days you are not working, instead of being out and about?

No this is absolutely not too much, even with the walking.
We are not designed to sit all day, but to move. Until recently I did considerably more not accounting for walking. Carry on!

What’s your mood like? If this energises you and you’re fun to be around - wonderful. If you’re tired all the time and grouchy at home - might be worth a rethink.

Depends on how you feel! If you feel
Ok, keep going. We're quite an active household, so what you're doing doesn't sound a huge amount to me. My average week involves two one hour gym classes (circuits and strength and conditioning) and at least 5 runs (around 25 miles a week, between 5k and 13 miles each). My husband is marathon training so he's running a lot more.

As pp said, us humans are designed to be active. I feel a lot worse when work gets in the way I have a sedentary few days, than after a weekend of long runs.

He use to go to the gym 5 times a week before work. Now he goes 3 and does yoga on the other days. I think he's speaking from his own experience. But he trains hard so I don't feel it's the same

No im not an obsessive person I think he wants to ensure it's sustainable long term.

I feel better for doing it currently

What's causing your back issues? I'd talk to a physiotherapist and ask them whether there is anything you need to change about your routine.

Physio recommended stretches/pilates and suggested gym.

Are the physio, dog walks and school runs exercise? How far do you go? It’s great to get your steps in but I wouldn’t say that you are overdoing it.

I think if you feel fine....then you are probably fine!
Personally I dont count walking (with or without dogs!) as exercise unless you are power walking or hiking, although its still invaluable as adds to your NEAT.

Personally I do about an hour mix of pilates/weights/cardio 5 times a week as well as dog walking and general walking (I cant drive, so walk everywhere!).
Ive now decided, at the age of 50, that I want to try C25K as well because it looks like fun and I feel the need to have something to do in the mornings....I assume if it was too much I wouldnt have the urge to even try!LOL

No not really. I mentioned it because I figured most people don't do 2 hours per day specifically walking. I'm not speed walking or anything more of an amble 😂

Why wouldn't you include walking? It's a brilliant exercise. I power walk 4/5 miles daily and it keeps me really fit. Burns loads of cals too.

Totally agree @TheFormidableMrsC. I more meant I wouldn't include it in terms of overdoing the whole exercise thing.

It sounds alright to me as long as you feel OK with it all. I probably wouldn't do two exercise classes on the Monday but that's me. The dog walking in itself sounds like great exercise.

I stopped doing the gym AND yoga on Mondays as I was getting cramps at yoga. Going to the gym the day before seems to be fine.

Yeah so, I’m retraining as a carpenter, so I’m on my feet for 6hrs a day, averaging about 15,000 steps.
I also cardio for approx 1-1hr 45 mins a day (step, spin, HITT).
Bodypump every second day, twice at the weekend.

Lift heavy heavy things in the gym 3 times a week.
Walk the dog at the weekends, run about after 4 children aged between 9 and 4.

I do too much. You look fine.