question

[Flynn]

To all you work out vetrans out there.

I have a silly question:

Is it better to work out longer fewer times a week or is it better to do a consistent 30 to 40 minutes a day???

I don't have weight goals -- just FIRMING goals! I weigh within 5 pounds of having kids BUT LOOK MUCH DIFFERENT!

Any tips to a person who now has NO excuse not to exercise do to now having a "gym" in her house???

PS -- The room has an eliptical machine, "gym" weight machine, bike and dumbells....

[Stella]

Personally, I believe in less more often. And weights. You should really try this book I started reading, Five Factor Fitness. It looks awesome and EASY!! It says you should work out for 25 minutes (in 5 5-minute mini-workouts) 5 days a week. That's pretty easy, right?

Basically, ten minutes of intense strength training keeps your metabolism up for 48 hours. Thirty minutes of cardio only keeps your metabolism up for 40 minutes.

[Flynn]

Thanks!!! I have a B&N gift certificate I need to use so I will get that book!! I know lots of different ways would work -- I just need a plan and then stick to it!

I appreciate your input!

[Grog]

As long as you can pull about 20-30 minutes, I think it's better to have more shorter workouts than a couple very long workouts every week.

Every time you workout, you raise your metabolism for the whole day. That's why working out in the morning has more weight loss benefits.

Of course you're not after loosing weight but more about transforming your current weight into muscle weight. But I think it will still make sense for you to exercise more often than less.

Just make sure you have one day a week of rest.

Cheers!

[Phoebe]

I have to agree that even shorter workouts are better than no work outs. I think you get the same results whether it be for several shorter sessions or lumped sum sessions such as three 10 minute workouts a day or one 30 minute session. I would do whatever works best for you.

[Sheherezade]

I'd vote for the shorter, more frequent workouts as well. In addition to all the reasons mentioned, I'm a strong believer in the power of routines. It's too easy to put off a twice a week workout once and miss half your exercise for the week. A daily event - although shorter - will probably ultimately give you more total minutes, because you won't weasel out of it everyday. (Not that you'd weasel out of anything. That would be....me. )

[Flynn]

Oh but I AM a weasle.

I'm an ex-jock who has a hard time sweating when I can't "win" anything or beat someone.

Enter new house, new life, exercising in front of the TV, more time for myself than I've had since having kids, and I have a new lease on sweating. It's borderline enjoyable AND I don't feel like a loser when I watch trashy TV for 30 minutes a day.

I'm such a freak. :chat:

[Stella]

Oh but I AM a weasle.

I'm an ex-jock who has a hard time sweating when I can't "win" anything or beat someone.

DITTO! I just started my Five Factor Fitness workouts and they seem so easy (as in I will likely not quit after the third one ) and I feel SO refreshed! Seriously, check it out.

http://www.fivefactorfitness.com

[kaseymarie]

I agree with you ladies. I feel like a dork, but now I working out has become an enjoyable part of my day. As for the question, I prefer to work out for a shorter time period, more often. It tends to work better in my schedule that way.

I'm coming in quite late here, but I'm another one who prefers short workouts every day. I have made a deal with myself: Exercise for ten minutes in the morning, every morning, no matter what. It can be light or heavy, cardio or weight training, but it must be done every day. After ten minutes, I am allowed to stop.

But this is the trick - generally I will keep going longer and actually want to keep going, because it's the starting that's the hardest. Similarly, I've heard of people who make it a deal to just put on their running shoes and step outside in the morning. Once they've achieved this, they're allowed to go back inside if they really don't want to go. But who's going to bother after making the effort to get ready?

I've learned that I have to make it as simple as possible for myself. So I have a whole bunch of great workout DVD's that are comprised of 10 minute segments, and I exercise in my pyjamas in front of the TV, as soon as I wake up. This way I don't even have time to make excuses for problems that might arise with getting to a gym, getting child care, or even choosing clothes!

I started to get this idea after learning about Jorge Cruise's daily 10 minute workouts for weight loss, and finding that they were actually effective. Most people think that ten minutes isn't enough, but it's far better than nothing, gives surprisingly good results, and by the end of the week you've done at least an hour of concentrated exercise.