Exercise 3 times a week or 6?!
Question: Please I'm seeking good advice! I need to loose about 80-100 lbs. I go through workout phases where I'll work out alot, then I just let it go for a long long time. Now, I'm getting back into it, but I want to make sure I do it right. I like working out at home with exercise videos and they're for full body workouts or others just target a specific area.
but some of them say, do this 3 times a week to allow rest in your muscles, and so on. So my question is, will I get more results if I work out 3 to 4 times a week because this way I'm allowing my muscles to rest, or is it better if I work out 6 times a week with one day of rest? Or will that just slow down the process?? Its confusing and I'd greatly appreciate answers. What have you done, what works best for you?
Thanks!
Answers: Please I'm seeking good advice! I need to loose about 80-100 lbs. I go through workout phases where I'll work out alot, then I just let it go for a long long time. Now, I'm getting back into it, but I want to make sure I do it right. I like working out at home with exercise videos and they're for full body workouts or others just target a specific area.
but some of them say, do this 3 times a week to allow rest in your muscles, and so on. So my question is, will I get more results if I work out 3 to 4 times a week because this way I'm allowing my muscles to rest, or is it better if I work out 6 times a week with one day of rest? Or will that just slow down the process?? Its confusing and I'd greatly appreciate answers. What have you done, what works best for you?
Thanks!
You need to do strength training 3 times per week where you have a day in between to rest your muscles and do cardio 5-6 times per week for a minimum of 20 minutes a day working up to 30 minutes a day (or more if you feel like it). So, you will do exercises 3 times per week where you workout your entire body or some people will do it 6 days a week where they focus on their lower body one day then their upper body the next and go back to their lower body the next and so on. They add cardio every day.
I personally like to workout with weights 3 times per week all at once because I am so busy that I am afraid I won't be able to make it to the gym 6 times per week and then I'll be lopsided - ha! That way, if I can only do cardio 4 times rather than 6 it's ok. Although, I can ususally work cardio in without going to the gym by playing a game of tennis or walking the dog, etc.
Does this help or do you need more help?
Just so you know, I lost 70 pounds so it's possible if you stick with it. The key is finding something you like and will stick with. Once you get fit enough, you will find all kinds of things you will enjoy doing.
Work out as many days as you can, everyday is best actually.
You don't need to do something extreme, like running 6-8 miles a day like I do, but just do some fast paced walking and some strength training. Aerobics are excellent!! Try a workout dvd if its cold out.
Bottom line: work out 6 days a week with one day of rest. When you finally get the strength to do more, try everyday.
Basically if you are doing a muscle building program like weight training, you need to give your body rest between sessions. If you are mainly doing aerobics then every day is fine. So running, biking, and jumping rope can be done daily. Good luck with your program.