Working out and health questions

[CHargs]

Hello, I'm new here!

I've got a few questions I'd like to have answered if possible.

I go to the gym everyday from 1.5 to 2.5 hours a session. I do mostly weights, then 30 minutes of cardio at the end. People seem to say to go to the gym only 3-4 times a week, is it ''wrong'' to go more often? Also lately I've been going at night, I would get there at either 11pm or midnight, and leave at like 2am (the gym is open 24/7), is there an advantage to go at a certain time of day, as opposed to at night? ( EDIT - Mind you, I am not very active, I do not play sports, and so I go to the gym everyday because it IS only source of activity, so is this okay?)

Since muscle weighs more than fat, should I expect to not see dramatic weight lost over time because I'll be gaining muscle? I have been going to this gym for a year and have worked at muscle gain since. I'm not sure if that matters, just mentioning to indicate that I am not JUST starting to go to the gym.

For meals, I have not been going on the preferred diet to lose weight, because at the moment house certainly does not contain what I would need (I am 18, by the way). So what I've been doing is just make sure to be eating less, not really counting calories, but just making sure that overall I am consuming less of them. And as well as making sure that out of what I am eating, I do make sure to eat more healthy things. A few examples of eating less; instead of having two bowls of cereal, I have one, or instead of having two yogurts, I have one, do not eat everything on plate for dinner because dad does seem to give give portions. So question is - is there hope to lose weight this way, or would I have to make the full 180 and eat properly 100%?

I hope this was easy to understand, and appreciate and answers.

Thanks, Chris

[cassiegose]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the site.

It isn't necessarily "wrong" to go to the gym everyday but keep in mind that your muscles do need some time to rest/recover in order to grow back stronger. Its kind of like if you mow the yard EVERY day the grass won't have a chance to grow.... you've got to water it, make sure its getting sunlight, and actually give it TIME to grow. Bad analogy? Bottom line, if you go to the gym every day do something like upper body one day, lower body the next, then cardio, then upper again, to give your muscles 24-48 hours between workouts.

Assuming your diet is ON your weight could stay the same while your body changes (this happens when you're losing fat and gaining muscle at the same time) or the scale could be going down if youre just losing (if you're eating properly this should be mostly fat but expect to lose some muscle when youre in a caloric deficit).

So youre 18... There are still lots of healthy choices out there for you that can be found in *most* houses:
-eggs/eggwhites
-nuts/nut butter (natural is best)
-BEANS!
-Veggies and fruits (hopefully your parents keep these in the house?)
-Oatmeal (old fashioned rolled is best)
-Chicken
-Burger (the leaner the better. If its not lean cook it and rinse several times to get as much of the excess fat off as you can)
-Fish, if you're doing tuna don't eat it every day

Things like cottage cheesee, eggs, whole grain bread, legumes, peanuts, popcorn (airpopped no butter!), oats, fish, are all pretty cheap so if you don't have them in your house now it may be worth it to pick some up.

[CHargs]

Thank for your reply and answering questions

I'll be sure to come back to that list.

To your knowledge is there a ''better'' time of day to exercise? Would I benefit to do it mid-day and not at night?

[Boss Man]

There was a theory abound some years ago, stating it's best around 1-5 PM, because it's when the body is most awake, based on a common wake and sleep pattern.

Realistically though, whilst this might hold some water, it really isn't that cast iron anyway and some people have times that just suit them best, or are dictated by life circumstances anyway.