Am I exercising too much?

bikinibound

bikinibound

New member
Here's my story:

5'9" tall large framed 35yr old female starting weight 277.5, current weight 241. Target weight 168.

Since mid-December 2006 I've lost 36.5 pounds. I was doing circuit training 30min p/day 3-5 days per week. The last 6weeks I've been doing the CT 30min 3 days p/wk and going on 2-3 mile 16-17min mile walks three days per week. In that time I've lost 13 pounds. Diet is around 1200-1500 calories p/day

I tend to hit plateaus about every 10-13 pounds. I've lost 5lbs in the last two weeks.

I'd like to step up the weight loss a bit, so I thought I'd start working out more. Yesterday I did 40min of CT and went on a 60min 4 mile walk. I am not dead today--my body can handle the increased exercise. But I'm worried that maybe I'm doing too much, that my body will get used to it, and I'll have to work out 3hrs per day to lose weight after awhile.

Also, I realize that if I step up the exercise, I'll need to increase my caloric intake as well. What would be a good daily amount?

So in a nutshell, should I increase the exercise? And if so, by how much. And then about how many calories should I be consuming?

Thanks in advance!
 
What is your circuit training?
 
It's like a Curves, but it's not a franchise. Very similar equipment, though. 9 machines that target different muscles.
 
Congrats about your weight loss.

part of the problem could be because you are using that similar-to-curves circuit. From what i have seem, those machines do not let you change the resistance/amount of weight. That means that as you get stronger, you aren't able to increase the difficultly of the machine so you just remain the same. Most times Curves is great for people new to working out, but they tend to out grow it quickly.

My advice to you would be to join a gym so that you can use weight machines and free weights.
Hope this helped.
 
brokenstar said:
part of the problem could be because you are using that similar-to-curves circuit. From what i have seem, those machines do not let you change the resistance/amount of weight. That means that as you get stronger, you aren't able to increase the difficultly of the machine so you just remain the same. Most times Curves is great for people new to working out, but they tend to out grow it quickly.

My advice to you would be to join a gym so that you can use weight machines and free weights.
Hope this helped.
Click to expand...

It is my understanding that the hydraulic machines can increase the resistance. The harder/faster you work them, the greater the resistance. I just came back from working out, and I really worked the machines today, and I could feel it. I definately feel tired and my muscles feel like they got a workout.
 
tonymcclellan said:
So what are the nine machines?
Click to expand...

I don't know what all their technical names are. There's a hip abductor, leg extension/curl, shoulder press/lat pull, chest/back machine, leg press, one that works your abs, another for obliques, one that you squat and pull the handles up that works the thighs and arms, and one that's similar to a rowing machine.
 
Good, now ignore all of that and go work with the free weights. Next, It sounds as if your eating to little. Another thing you might try is working out "harder" not "longer". Raise the intensity not just the amount of time. The body adapts quickly to cardiovascular forms of training. Simply going from 30 minutes to 40 to 50 and so on will soon have you more then an hour in doing the same thing over and over while your body becomes more efficient at it placing less stress which equates to less calories lost.
Would strongly suggest you start yourself a resistance training program with free weights.
 
Trevor M. said:
Good, now ignore all of that and go work with the free weights. Would strongly suggest you start yourself a resistance training program with free weights.
Click to expand...

Not gonna happen b/c I've signed up for a year and can't afford to pay two gym memberships. I can increase the intensity of the hydraulic weights by working them harder. I started yesterday.
 
bikinibound said:
Not gonna happen b/c I've signed up for a year and can't afford to pay two gym memberships. I can increase the intensity of the hydraulic weights by working them harder. I started yesterday.
Click to expand...
Your gym doesn't have any free weights? Wow that is really sad...
 
Trevor M. said:
Your gym doesn't have any free weights? Wow that is really sad...
Click to expand...

Well, it does have a few dumbells, but not free weight machines. It is a Curves-type place--women only. They only use hydraulic weights. Not that sad. I don't really like free weights anyway.
 
bikinibound said:
Well, it does have a few dumbells, but not free weight machines. It is a Curves-type place--women only. They only use hydraulic weights. Not that sad. I don't really like free weights anyway.
Click to expand...

Would you mind explaining why;), I'm truly curious as to why they appeal to you more? I mean, free weights are more beneficial in just about every conceivable way compared to the machine counter part.
 
Trevor M. said:
Would you mind explaining why;), I'm truly curious as to why they appeal to you more? I mean, free weights are more beneficial in just about every conceivable way compared to the machine counter part.
Click to expand...

Probably b/c I'm lazy. lol With the hydraulic machines i just get on and go to work. With free weights you have to fiddle with them and figure out how much to set them at, etc. Maybe if I had a pro help me get started I wouldn't feel that way.
 
Hi there! No expert here, but we are similar! I'm also 35 and have lost 75lbs (currently weigh 228lbs). I currently eat between 1800-2200 calories a day and still consistently lose weight! No major plateaus either. I do 5-6 days of walking (uphill/downhill) for 3 miles/45 min. I also do 3 days a week of free weights (I use body for life program). I guess what I'm trying to tell you is that you should eat more! I used a calorie calculator to calculate my bmr/rmr and found I will maintain at 2800 cals a day at my weight and workout level, so as long as I have a deficit I'm fine. I've found I can still eat 2000-2200 cals a day and LOSE each week. I'm very particular about what I eat though. Absolutely NO empty calories, white flour, or sugar. Everything is whole grain, fruit, veggie, or protien. Every calorie counts for me! Hope this helps!
 
I've upped my calories to about 1500-1700 p/day, and have started working the machines at my gym as hard as i can. Also, on my walks i now do IT. I walk the first 1/2 mile at about a 15-16min mile pace. Then I walk as fast as I can w/o jogging for 2-3min. I think it is about a 12-13min mile pace. Then walk a 16-18min mile pace for 2-3min. It really gets my heart going, and I sweat like crazy. I have been losing weight since doing this. So I guess it's working. Anyone have any other suggestions?:jump:
 
phattyinnm said:
Water water water.... I drink about 1.5 gallons per day. Make sure your calories are coming from quality!
Click to expand...

Not to worry about that--I drink tons of water. I used to drink 2-3 cans of diet soda a day, but have cut that down. I didn't drink any today--just water and my protein shake. I drink maybe 4 cans of diet soda a week now. I have a 28oz water bottle that i drink from all day long. Refill it several times a day--I gurantee I'm not dehydrated.
 
bikinibound said:
-just water and my protein shake.
Click to expand...

An expert would probably tell you to stop drinking a protien shake and eat instead! Thats what Leigh told me once LOL and I did quit taking them, and ate like he suggested. Once I did that I felt better, performed better, and was less hungry. You haven't mentioned your food dairy (at least not in this post)? What is your diet like?
 
Last edited:
^becoming the teacher^ Great Job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top