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Good advice, several great tips

The issue I have with this is the word "moderate." What is moderate. The answer to what's too much depends on the effects of the activity. Exercising hard without resting (built in periodic rest days) is a recipe for disaster. Poor eating habits is the same.

Good nutrition before, during, and after exercise is critical.

During my 3 hour bike rides I take in about 400 calories of food. Mostly stuff like almond milk, raisins, and special grain muffins. After 1-1/12 hours I'll eat these items over the next 1/2 hour. I've noticed no "wall" or lack of energy at the end. There's no noticeable soreness the next day.

So is three hours on the bike too much? Yes for some, not for those with experience.

In the reply the reply to the question, there is no mention of fat metabolism. The answer makes it sound like once glycogen stores are depleted that you will hit the wall. This may true for high intense exercise, but for lower intensity exercise it is more complex.

Low intensity exercise will cause fats to start to be used for energy. Particularly when exercising regularly there is an increase in insulin sensitivity. The result is that there is a stimulation of the lipases and release of more fats.

How much exercise is too much? The answer as with everything, is it all depends. It depends on type of exercise, intensity, fitness, time, motivation and a whole range of other intangibles. Steady wins the race. Yes you can go nuts for a while, but pick an exercise schedule that you could stick with (mixing and changing exercises as you get bored, better shape or whatever). The aim is not to get injured or burnout. Also, for everybody who is using exercise as part of a weight loss plan, think about how much you need to really need to consume during exercise, it is really easy to consume more calories than you are using. Exercising does not mean giving yourself permission to eat a lot. [Try not snacking as an experiment.]

I often hear people say, "I exercise so I can eat what I want." Some have good exercise and nutrition habits and are just making conversation. In the end, it's better to exercise and be a little overweight then to not exercise at all.

If it was a perfect world we all would live to 100 and end up in heaven.

I think I have found the right mix and it’s not too much. I alternate aerobic and anaerobic workouts. I run a day and lift a day. I also throw in swimming and biking for variety . . . mostly on the weekends. Since I am diabetic, I do not carbo load. I have been using PR Bars. The idea is to be in a balanced blood sugar state before you start exercising. Since I am over 50, I no longer do the marathon workout seasons. I’ll run 3 to 5 miles three times each week and lift for an hour two to three times each week. I run at a slow pace (high 9 minute mile and sometimes slower), but I enjoy the run. I really should start increasing the weight on lifting days, but I rather tone than become a serious body builder.

Maybe I should have read the list of tips before I went to prepare for the state championships by overdoing. Now I have six weeks if therapy to go through before the Spring meets.

I'm reading that we should just take off for a month a year, but I have trouble doing this. Instead I'm planning to cut back every 7-8 weeks by cutting to 3 moderate cardio sessions during this week. Also, if I feel any discomfort from a lifting routine then I'll just not lift that day.

Sunday March 29th I competed in the "Enchanted Rock Extreme Duathlon" including a 5 mile trail run, 16 road bike ride, and the final 1.2 mile run with the last 1/2 mile up a 450' rock. Took me just over 2 hours mostly because of cramping after the bike ride. I stopped running and waited for the hamstring cramps to subside. I didn't take in enough water hoping to avoid a bladder stop...instead I had to stop due to cramps. Managed to walk up the slope and finish.

These kinds of events are a great motivator with the chance to be around some really good athletes young and old, male and female. It was a great weather day, and the Texas landscape was springtime lush. Much more fun than street running.

Am I crazy? I am beginning to think I may be! I started the P90X program almost 8 weeks ago and love the results but I'm perpetually tired. I take 2 days a week off for rest but begrudgingly do the workouts on the "on" days. I have tried to increase my protein intake (I rarely eat meat) but can't get my energy level back up. I walk several miles at lunch each day as well. I am a healthy 54 yr. old woman. Is it too much exercise?