“To lose weight should I run everyday?”. “To gain muscle should I go gym 2 hours 6 days per week?” Here we go…
A lot of confusion out there on what you should and shouldn’t be doing. From influencers ramming their HIIT workouts 7 days per week to Scientist saying you shouldn’t be doing cardio and weights together and then physio’s saying you shouldn’t be doing deadlifts and so on…
But let me break it down for you, so you’ll be able to make your own decision for yourself. No more of random, clueless mugs ramming anything and everything down your throat.
The Truth How People Workout Regularly?
This may seem like an obvious question but the far greater depth than what you think. On the surface it’s to burn a couple calories, to get fitter, stronger and to do something for yourself right?
But people working out regularly and are very committed to going is because they’re running away from pain… and their pain is far greater than yours.
You see people want an easy life, no one likes to live in pain. So why would someone choose to break down muscle tissue or pump their hearts out of there chest?
Yes to get fitter and stronger and all of the surface answers…
but we’re all running away from pain.
Pain from being called “the fat kid” in school
For being called “the weak kid” in school
From being bullied
From a Dr’s telling them if they don’t do something, they’ll have a heart attack or stroke
From avoiding beaches in the summer because they won’t to have their top off or be in a bikini
and it’s a weird way to look at it but humans change when they’re in pain. Not because it’s just good for them.
Here’s an analogy I like to use. It’s a Sunday evening, freezing outside, you’re in bed watching TV, warm cosy.
An advert comes up on TV about vitamins, and how you need them because they’re good for you, would you get out of the warm bed to go get them?
No you’ll wait until it’s convenient for you.
Now, if it’s that same day, in bed, freezing outside and you’re in bed. You have awful tooth pain, you can’t eat or sleep and this advert comes up for these painkillers that take that pain away within seconds
you’d get out of that cosy bed, get in that freezing cold and hunt them painkillers down.
You need to find your pain when it comes to working out, because you’ll remind yourself on the days you’re not feeling it to why you started it in the first place.
You don’t want to feel that way again. So you’ll get up and do what you need to do.
Find the pain.
What Are The Benefits?
So bloody many for both mentally and physically.
Physically, you’ll be able to prevent injuries, prevent going into a wheelchair at an earlier age, be more independent for longer, more energy throughout the day.
Mentally, it’s basically therapy. Here’s an interesting study…
They studies 2 groups of 2o people who had mild depression. 1 group took antidepressants for 12 weeks. The other group exercised 3-5 days per week for 45 minutes for 12 weeks.
Both groups improved their mental health but there was no significant differences between the 2 groups.
Powerful right?
But the group who exercised 3-5 times per week, not only improved mental health, they were fitter, healthier, stronger and developed a new lifestyle habit of regular exercise, rather than relying on tablets.
What Are The Dangers Of Working Out Too Much?
Everything has it’s risk. You walking down the street, you could pull a hamstring, knock your teeth out falling over or being hit by a car.
So working out does have it’s dangers, but you can minimise them by getting someone who knows what they’re doing to help. Personal trainer, myself, a friend, someone who actually knows.
In terms of working out too much, can happen. You need to find your balance, your body will soon tell you. Signs to look out for: You’re not recovering from sessions, Aching all the time, Tired all the time. Always look to have at least 2 rest days per week. If you struggle with rest days, go for walks on your rest days.
How Much Do I Actually Need To Workout?
To see good results 3 days per week, personally from I’ve seen with working with over 500 people over the last 5 years.
However, do what suits you and your lifestyle. No one can dictate how many days you should workout, everyone leads different lifestyles and have different tolerances.
So play about with it, see what works for you. But ultimately make sure you enjoy it, because if you don’t it’ll be a waste of your time because you won’t stick to it no matter what.
I hope this helps.
Ali