Retaining Body Fat

S

sarahbl

Cathlete
I am new to the forum but have been doing Cathe for about a year. My question is, can doing to much exercise cause your body to hold on to fat? I exercise 3-4 hours per day 6 days a week with 1 day of rest. Each day is a different workout, run, step, weight training, and/or stretch. Or could it be my age (44). I have bto work harder in the last 2 years then before. Diet is good along with the calories.I enjoy the workouts so much that it is hard to stop!!

Thanks!!!!:)
 
Did I read that right?? 3-4 hours per DAY... 6 days per WEEK??

I'm certainly no expert, but that sounds excessive to me. Not to mention exhausting!! I think most would agree that you are indeed working out too much. I'd be willing to bet that if you cut back, you'd actually get better results.

Hopefully Cathe can provide additional insight.
 
Hi,
Not Cathe, but thought I would give you my own experience. I too began to work out excessivly and cut my eating to a mere 1200 cals a day. My body actually went from 16% body fat to 22% body fat because it thought I was "starving" and needed to hold onto body fat to protect my internal organs....it is a survival method for the body. I'm no expert but I was told by my trainer to either up my calories gradually to almost 2500-3000 a day OR, cut down on my workouts. Since eating 2500 cals a day is not an option for me since I don't have a huge appetite, I have cut down on my workouts and actually dropped a pound this week! Just so you know, I too am 44...I hit my Chest, Back, Shoulders, Tri's and Bi's once a week (one part per day) legs are worked using the Freestyle method (4x a week with moderate weights so I don't bulk up-which I do easily) and then 3 or 3 1/2 hours of cardio a week. Each day takes me about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Sometimes I will do 1 hour of cardio 3x wk or 30 min of cardio 6x a week depending on my schedule. Sorry so long, but I hope it helps.
 
Thank You very much for the help!!!! Your an inspiration! I will give it a try and cut back and see what happens.

Thanks again!!!
 
To wkgmom:

How many calories are you consuming now after beginning the
1 - 1 1/2 hrs of workouts?

I can't seem to drop the fat % - am only gaining muscle strength.
 
Whoa...you are doing that much exercise?? For real?? That is amazing. I asked a question about over-exercising as well, but was only working out for 60 minutes, 6 days per week. You make me look like an amateur. ;-)


I am no expert, but I would *think* that you are most likely overworking yourself. I have heard of people working out at that pace for a "brief" period of time (say, a month or two) in order to really shock their system to get into shape for a specific event. But this is generally temporary - once they reach their goal, they back things way down. You probably have a lot of room to back off and it would most likely be a benefit to your physique. You could possibly be holding onto calories like crazy and your body may be storing fat in "survival mode". Again, I am not expert, that that is my guess as you are burning so many calories with your workout schedule. Also...what about your muscles and your joints? They will probably thank you in the longrun if you cut back a bit.

At any rate, I do admire your discipline and dedication! :)
 
Thank You very much for you input. My joints and muscles are good. It takes a little longer warm up and stretch then when I was younger.But outside of that everything is fine. I guess I need to reevaluate what I want and what my goals are.

Thanks everyone for your input and help!!!
 
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