How do you know if you're exercising too much?

 At Slimming World we are not required to do exercise while following our eating plan, however it has advantages that they do remind us about. There for they have Body Magic Awards that they do to give us some motivation.

Body Magic Awards

Bronze standard

45 minutes per week (spread over at least 3 sessions in 5, 10 or 15 minute blocks), maintained for 4 weeks.

Silver standard

6 x 15 minutes or 3 x 30 minutes per week, maintained for 4 weeks.

Gold standard

10 x 15 minutes or 5 x 30 minutes per week, maintained for 8 weeks.

Platinum standard

When active living is a lifestyle! Maintained Gold Standard for second time

Most of us that have joined SW wasn't doing enough exercise or for that that matter none at all. We all know we can benefit and some might not even know the risk of being over weight. Health risks associated with being overweight or obese include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis. Exercise can lower body fat and reduces risk of diseases. Regular activity reduces stress, anxiety and depression. There are some people that exercise to much so beware to much can make you susceptible to injuries and illness. 

The research tells us that you should exercise thirty to forty-five minutes a day, five days a week. It is sufficient to acquire health benefits and as much as your body needs activity it also needs rest, to much exercise can lead to long term health problems. Here are a few pointers of to much exercise: Typical symptoms include insomnia, achiness or pain in the muscles/ or joints. fatigue, headaches, sudden inability to complete a workout, not hungry, no energy and elevated morning pulse. Too much exercise can cause injuries such as stress fractures, strains and sprains, low body fat, fatigue, dehydration, osteoporosis and arthritis. Women have also been know en to stop there period when exercising to much. If you feel you show these symptoms you should see your doctor just to make sure.


The big secret is moderate activity instead of big sessions once or twice a week. Create a routine that best fits you be it 15 min a day walking the dog add on to that a fast pace walk for 15min on the way to fetch the kids at school and maybe even 15 min on the kinect with the kids jumping around. Break it down and then it doesn't seem that big a deal, does it. 


Before you know it 45min a day is really not that hard as you get more confident in your self you will increase your fast pace walk to 20min then to to 30min. You will do your 45min as a session with out thinking about it and your on your way to a healthier life style.