ActiveWorkoutsToo much exercise could jeopardise your weight loss efforts, says fitness expertHow much exercise is too much?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveWorkoutsToo much exercise could jeopardise your weight loss efforts, says fitness expertHow much exercise is too much?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
How much exercise is too much?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Our modern, sedentary lives make our cardiovascular system frail and muscles weaker. To counterbalance this, we exercise in our recreational time to helpboost our metabolismandlose weight. However, too much exercise can hinder weight loss and even worsen mental health. How much is too much exercise?
Signe Svanfeldt, lead nutritionist atLifesum, andrecent researchsuggest there is such a thing as overtraining. Pro athletes have known the benefits of not overexercising – you must have heard the term ‘off-season’ before – but it’s only recently that the concept caught the public’s attention. Killing yourself on the gym floor might not result in quicker weight loss results, no matter what Instagram fitness influencers try to make you believe.
Overtraining can cause fatigue, irritability, sleep issues, anxiety, and injuries – it can even make you ill. The most common reason for overtraining in the general population is wanting to see quick results, but the actual impact of too much exercise is quite the opposite; pushing your body too hard, too soon will lead to adverse effects. Exercising the recommended amount, following a regular sleeping pattern and eating more healthily will help you stay on track with your exercise and weight loss routine.
(Image credit: Getty)
(Image credit: Getty)
What is a healthy amount of daily exercise to have?
“Regular physical activity is great for our overall health and well-being, but there’s no need to have an excessive workout routine to lose weight or visceral fat,” Signe Svanfeldt explains, “Many believe that you need to incorporate as much endurance training as possible in your workout to lose weight. However, nutrition is the number one factor when it comes to weight loss.”
She says that a nutritious and balanced diet in line with your energy requirement is critical: “WHO recommends that adults include at least 150-300 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity per week, or at least 75-150 minutes of vigorous/intense aerobic activity (or a combination of the two), plus strength training that activates larger muscle groups at least two days per week.”
We recommend a combination of resistance training and cardio for long-term weight loss. Resistance training is any training when you work against resistance, whether it’s curling dumbbells or doing push-ups or squats. If you’re not used to exercising, light to moderate cardio exercise (e.g. brisk walking) after meals could help keep blood sugar levels at bay and aid digestion.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
My most anticipated Apple TV+ show gets another tantalising teaserThe Studio gets a minute tease
The Studio gets a minute tease
Build bigger arms in just 30 minutes with this 5-move dumbbell-only workoutIt’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!
It’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!
Is this Adidas’ next record-breaking running shoe?With new technology and stiff competition, Adidas’ latest racing shoe aims to leave rivals in the dust
With new technology and stiff competition, Adidas’ latest racing shoe aims to leave rivals in the dust
Proton power: Wattbike’s latest bike lights up the at-home fitness sceneWattbike’s Proton provides a spin class experience without the awkward eye contact
Wattbike’s Proton provides a spin class experience without the awkward eye contact
Segway’s ZT3 Pro brings speed, power, and adventure to electric scootersPre-order now, thank us later
Pre-order now, thank us later
Amazfit T-Rex 3 is rugged enough to survive your next adventure and probably the one after thatAmazfit’s new smartwatch has a 27-day battery, dual GPS, 170+ sport modes, and advanced fitness features
Amazfit’s new smartwatch has a 27-day battery, dual GPS, 170+ sport modes, and advanced fitness features
Zwift 10th anniversary update delivers new worlds, enhanced HUD, and improved challengesZwift celebrates the important milestone in style with a heap-load of updates
Zwift celebrates the important milestone in style with a heap-load of updates
No. 22’s new Reactor Aero is a titanium triumph and a 3D printing first for the cycling worldNo. 22’s latest masterpiece is the world’s first 3D-printed titanium aero bike
No. 22’s latest masterpiece is the world’s first 3D-printed titanium aero bike
Why an e-scooter is the best commuting buddy for university studentsPortable, powerful and fun: e-scooters have all the qualities to make them the ultimate micro-commuting machines for uni students
Portable, powerful and fun: e-scooters have all the qualities to make them the ultimate micro-commuting machines for uni students
Sky-high slumber, ground-level costs: TentBox GO elevates budget-friendly rooftop campingMake rooftop camping utterly hassle-free with the lightweight Tentbox GO
Make rooftop camping utterly hassle-free with the lightweight Tentbox GO
