Why is it recommended that people exercise in moderation?

[asianfreak]

I've heard people say that you should work out in moderation, no matter what exercises you do

[cmknoll3]

A few reasons. 1) When you work out hard, lifting a lot of weight, for example, you tear muscle. That's partially what causes the hurt of a hard work out. You body then goes in and repairs that muscle making it stronger and bulkier to compensate for the excretions being put on them (that's why you build muscle when you work out). If you work out too hard for too long, though, you don't give your body a chance to repair that muscle and it can do serious damage to those muscles.

2) Working out causes stress on your body in but physical and chemical ways. That stress, if not allowed to ease, will cause your bones to become brittle, your mind to not function as well and your overall health to decrease. It seems counter intuitive, but over-working out can lead to unhealthy things like a heart attack and arthritis.

3) When you work out, you cause pains and aches in your muscles and joints which your body counteracts with endorphins that ease the pain and actually give you a little high of happiness (it's often called "the runner's high"). These endorphins themselves are not harmful in any way I am aware of, but they are definitely addictive and when you can no longer receive the high from them you used to, you have to push harder and harder to get it which, again, is bad for your heart. Also, when you aren't able to work out for a while, you will literally go through withdrawals from the lack of endorphins, and it will make you VERY unpleasant to be around, to say the least.

There are more reasons, but I'm not a health expert or a biologist, so that's my two cents. Hope that answered some questions.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Endorphins are so addicting I intentionally dislocate my shoulder about three times a day...

[cmknoll3]

I hope that's not true. I have sympathy pains in my shoulder now. Ow.

[martyfellow]

Nonsense. People should push themsevles close to their limit, unless they have some kind of disability or health problem thatt requires them to be careful. Very rarely do people hurt themselves by exercising 'too much.' Obviously if something starts hurting, you have to be sensible and stop..there are people that won't stop!

[Levin]

I think you should read some daoist philosophy. Very American attitude you have!

[Anonymous]

oh I am living proof of this mistake! I made the worse mistake by over working out and I ended up packing on more muscle esp on my legs because I did the machines for that, and the muscle got so tight that it is now pulling my knee cap and I have intolerable pain now, I'm going to therapy and trying to balance the muscles..its not fun at all I've cried so much. all because I overdid it in the gym, I thought that by working out more id burn more calories thus lose more pounds but no, it doesn't work that way at all, your muscles suffer and your body loses its homeostasis. I learned the hard way and now I can't gym at all because my leg I can't walk much.

[tohrment]

You should exercise according to your level of fitness. If you don't exercise much and are relatively unfit, it probably wouldn't be very good for your body to just bang right into it and work out 3-4 hours a day - it would put too much strain on your body. I think that what you are talking about is that people should gradually get into intense exercise regimes, taking things step-by-step and letting their bodies get accustomed to the physical activity to avoid injury.

[DiamondKutt]

Most people aren't built to be athletes. Even if you want to eventually exercise intensely/often, you need to start off slow but your body isn't prepared for it if you do it suddenly. You'll overwork yourself. You could injure yourself & you'll definitely feel exhausted.

[MyNameIsJonas]

Exercise as much as you want as long as your spreading out what kind of exercise and muscle being worked. Muscles need heal time, although you can do cardio everyday and depending on what type of goals/workout you are doing you may need alloted rest time.

People say I over do it, I just say they like to make the bare minimum.

[just_tired]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. If you mean individual excercises then of course not. You're not going to get stronger, faster or bigger without pushing your limits. If you mean how much you're supposed to workout in a week then of course in moderation. Muscles only grow and restore in rest.

[Tweetumzz143]

because yo-yo exercising can lead to weight gain so one must have a realistic goal, an exercise plan that you can maintain

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[peace-love-couture]

The average person is relatively ignorant regarding exercise and will over do working out when attempting to lose weight, gain muscle or get in shape for a sporting event or whatnot. But the body needs rest and over working muscles can lead to injury

[yesthisisme]

Because we are the laziest animals on this planet. Think back in history when work was finding food and securing shelter, we haven't exactly been sitting in front of computers for millenias. our bodies are designed to move.

[MyNameIsJonas]

I agree.

[upood]

Because body needs rest. You can't push it to its limit without damaging the muscles or worse, your heart. One has to build up their stamina and level.

[kiss-the-nerd]

Because you can hurt your body, and you can over work your body. You can really damage your body with so much exercising and body building

[tenofthepeaks]

the human body has limits. if you use weights or run a lot, it can cause damage.

everything in moderation, it's not a cliche, it's a fact.