workout question

Valeriecruz82

How long do you normally work out for and what do you
Do? Also how many calories do you burn?
I feel like I may not be doing enough. I go to the gym 5-6 days a week for about an hour each day. I usually do the treadmill and elliptical burning about 500 calories a day.

Lobsters25

In my book, time doesn't matter, it's how intense and wisely you are using that time.

It sounds to me like you're missing weight or even body weight work.  Cardio alone is not enough.  I split my week, three weight days and three cardio days.  If I need to step it up I'll add a bit of cardio to one or two of the weight days.

bwils35

Ditto pp's. Even some of the workout classes I do that are "cardio based", incorporate weights, resistance bands, and plyometric work. I'd suggest trying to work in some strength training and interval training into your workouts. Most of my workouts are about an hour, but they vary from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending what I'm doing.

Shorter days usually incorporate running (whether its for distanace [minimum 3 miles], or interval sprints) and abs/pushups. Days that are about an hour are usually a class, and the 2 hours is usually a strength/interval class and spin.

I burn anywhere from 200-1000 calories depending on what I'm doing, how tired I am, when I last ate/etc. There are a lot of factors that go into it. I rely on my Heart Rate Monitor to get a more accurate number. @lobsters25 makes a great point though that the important part is how are you using your time. You can get a great workout in a short period of time, however it needs to be more intense.

cnf2013

Eh, maybe 30 minutes to 2+ hours depending on the day. The 2 hour or longer days are two a day's for me. I workout at 6am before work, so my time then is limited to about an hour or so. So I like to go back in the evening sometimes too. I run everyday, 5-7 days a week. I also spin or ride my bike and do strength training 2-3 times a week. I burn anywhere from 250 to over 1000 calories depending on whether I do one or two workouts a day as well as the duration. My typical base run of 3-ish miles will burn about 250 calories. A long run (5+ miles) and an hour of spinning will put me around the 800-1000 calorie range depending on just how long my run ends up being. 

NonosGirl

I usually spend 45 minutes to an hour at the gym or running 5-6 days per week. I generally burn between 400-1000 calories depending on the activity. Exercise isn't a one size fits all thing. What are your goals?

I used to workout twice a day and I was successful at losing weight quickly but it wasn't a routine I was successfully able to maintain for months at a time and I gained weight back. I find that I can comfortably fit in about an hour 4-6 days a week. Based on that I adjusted my eating habits and have started losing weight again.

I agree with PP, you should look into adding some body weight or weight listing exercises to your cardio. Also vary the type and intensity of your cardio so your bday has to work harder to adjust.

entropicbeauty

Everyone is different and depending on how much weight you have to lose will burn more or less.

Pretty much every day is different for me and that's the way I like it. Some days I do an hour long body combat class, other days I take a ride on my bike in the park. I try to exercise for at least 20 minutes a day (even if it's just a walk), but I try not to go over an hour of intense cardio. Depending on the level of intensity and what the activity is, I burn anywhere from 100-500 calories.

I feel like most women become cardio junkies, and I am no exception. If you're burning 500 calories a session and not seeing the weight loss/change that you desire, it's possible you're focusing too much on adding exercise and not enough on what you're eating. Also, if you're eating is spot on, but you've been doing nothing but the same exercise (treadmill/elliptical), maybe it's time to switch it up. If you're bored with what you're doing - it's time to switch it up.

freebread03

I want to add that unless you're using a heart rate monitor to determine how many ,calories you're burning, you might be burning less (or more) than you think you are. I wore mine during a crossfit WOD once and was surprised I only burned 150 calories even though I felt like I was dying for 15 or so minute. Same thing for long runs-I can go do an 18 mile run and burn a lot less than I think I'm burning just because my pace is much slower (830-845 versus 7:30-7:45) than a regular run pace.

firsttimersluck

2-4 hours a day, 6 days a week. Sunday is a rest day so just yoga and a hike/walk/beach trip. 

I usually burn about 550 per hour at the gym.

choagie42

not to threadjack, but @freebread03 - i'm curious, what is about your average calorie burn per mile on your long runs.  no worries if you have no idea.  i've just wondered about that because i have a feeling i don't burn as much as a think i do since my body is in cruise control for so much of it...

freebread03

@Choagie42 you know, I'd have to go back and look but probably around 100 calories, which is great but when you think about a 15-20 mile run and then you realize you didn't even burn a big burger with fries it's like effffff really? So, less than I would have thought. When I trained for the Boston marathon a few years ago I was doing my long runs at 8:30-8:30 pace and I didn't lose a single pound lol. I wasn't counting calories at the time, which was probably part of the problem. I always use Roctane, every 45 minutes. I like chews, but Roctane is the quickest way to get some energy in during a long run. I also love Accelerade powder-way less sugary than Gatorade or anything similar and tons of electrolytes which keep my hands from swelling. Sorry for the thread jack!

VadersValkyrie

Lobsters25 said:

It sounds to me like you're missing weight or even body weight work.  Cardio alone is not enough.  

This.  Don't worry about "bulking up".  You'd have to lift a lot of weight for a long time for that to be an issue.  I downloaded a few apps on my phone that are getting me toward X number of push-ups/sit-ups/squats.  I do Yoga (again app on my phone) on those days as well.  I also do the YourShape for the Wii three days a week, and sometimes I find YouTube videos of ballet-inspired exercises.  At least I'm not bored.

LaurenDerek20310

It's ALL about diet. I was the same way at first. Worked out 5-6 days a week for a year after I got engaged and I did everything: Weight train, boot camp, cardio, running (ran a 10 mile race earlier this year and trained for it), yoga, etc. I even hired a trainer.

I initially lost weight due to the increase in activity but then plateaued for months. I was at a healthy BMI but still could stand to lose some more weight before the wedding. I started Weight Watchers a month ago and am down almost 10 lbs.! It's really all about what you're eating.