How much is too much?

[Ankleblisters]

I don't want to go into too much detail about this query because it can be a problematic subject but ... how do you know if you are doing too little, enough or too much exercise?
The goal is just health and longevity, not weight loss.

I don't think it's a number.

How would you feel if something happened which meant you couldn't do your planned exercise?

Are you sacrificing something else (sleep, family time, work time) in order to prioritise exercise?

Do other people think you're exercising too much / get annoyed eg partners / kids?

That's the stuff that would lead me to say "too much"

Not enough is a bit easier - used to be recommended 3 times a week for 30 mins or more?

Sometimes hearing you need x minutes 3-4 times per week can be off-putting if you are starting from zero. There are huge health gains to be had from going from doing nothing at all to walking up and down the stairs instead of taking the lift for example.
On the reverse side, it’s possible to overtrain - feeling exhausted is an indication. Most training plans will have recovery phases. Either weeks with less duration/intensity - or an ‘off-season’.
In the main though as long as I do something (lifting/running for me) every week I’m happy. My folks are both elderly and active - they walk a bit, cycle a bit and perhaps play some tennis. They have never stressed about exercise they just seem to have incorporated it into their daily lives - without all the gym cloths and running shoes I seem to need!

I've had cancer and they say to reduce risk of reoccurrence by half at stage 4 exercise 3 to 5 hours a week so I use that as my guide.

Overtraining has many symptoms depending on what your chosen form of exercise is. It's different for everyone.

I do weighlifting, if doing too much I tend to get ill more frequently and my strength levels will drop. You just need to learn to listen to your body and note down your training sessions, doing this helps you figure out the signs your own body gives before illness and/or injury occur.

Exercise shouldn't put at risk your relationships, finances or be not fun.
it shouldn't be obessive or involve strict rules.
It should be 'balanced' with other ways to spend your time.
If you miss a day, you should feel at worst annoyed or disappointed not upset or distressed.
Pain should not be a recurring feature, should not be a situation where you often push past the pain anyway.

Does that help?

I keep getting injuries so I’ve had to step it back quite a lot

Too much is also waking up feeling really rough and aching and not recovering properly. As this started happening to me I have gone back to fast paced walking to keep up some level of fitness instead of doing nothing. My injuries are back and shoulders

TBH I think structured exercise is less important then general activity when it comes to health and longevity. 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week for example wont have as good of an effect if you spend the rest of the time sat in front of the telly or computer.
Ive been a couch potato most of my life but now Im trying to be more generally active (just things like spreading household chores so I have to get up and move more often. Or if I have 3 things to take upstairs I make 3 trips rather then just one).

I usually exercise twice a day but I know it isnt too much as its all moderate intensity/low impact and makes me feel energized not tired. It doesnt impact the rest of my life or relationships and if I dont do it for whatever reason it doesnt bother me.
I think if you cant say that about your exercising then maybe its time to re-examine what you are doing.