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How Much Exercise Is Too Much Exercise?

By Randi Morse 

If I got a dollar for every time a doctor or nurse told me I should exercise more, well, I would have a lot of dollars. It seems like that is the answer for everything, "exercise more," they tell us. And the studies do show that Americans just don't exercise enough. Maybe this is because we have such easy access to activities that keep us sedentary. Most experts agree that any activity is better than no activity at all, but is there such a thing as exercise being more harmful than helpful? 

Starting Sedentary 

It's important to remember that most people who are told they need to exercise more likely don't have a solid exercise routine to begin with. This means that they are starting from a fairly sedentary lifestyle. If you go from a sedentary lifestyle to trying to run a 5K, you are definitely going to have some problems. That is why it's important, if you are just starting your exercise program, to speak with your doctor first. This will help you to rule out any potential problems that you may cause you to have difficulties exercising. Once you get the all clear to exercise, start slowly. Many people find that just starting walking is enough exercise to receive some health benefits. 

Exercising Too Much 

The big problem comes with exercising too much. There was a report published in 2015 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that showcased how people pushing their bodies too hard actually eliminated any of the benefits exercise gives you. This study, completed in Denmark, watched volunteer runners who were able to run at a fast pace at least four hours or more per week. The study showed that people who exercised this way had around the same risk of dying as people who hadn't really exercised at all. The study also found that the people who had the lowest risk of health complications were people who ran for 2 1/2 hours or less at a moderate, or even slow, pace. 

So what does this all tell us? It tells us that while exercising is definitely good for your body, over-exercising is not. This means that it's more important to have a solid, moderately paced exercise plan than it is to overdo your cardiovascular exercise. The big idea is to give your body the exercise it needs in order to function at an optimal level without pushing it too hard. 

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Temple, Tex.

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