Expert: Joanne - 3/24/2008

Question
I exercise intensely 7 days a week doing 1.5 hrs cardio per day and weight
lifting 3 days a week while eating about 2300 cals.   What will happen to my
metabolism if I cut one full day of cardio out of my routine to rest?  Is my
excessive exercise causing my metabolism to slow down?  Should I be eating
more than 2300 to maintain this workout schedule?

Answer
Sandi

I am not sure exactly what you should be eating in order to maintain your workout schedule.  Do you feel that you are maybe underweight?  Do you look quite thin, or with the amount of exercise you are doing, do you look as toned as you feel you should be?  If you don't think that you look like you have as much muscle tissue as you should, or you feel that you are thinner than you should be, then maybe you should increase it slightly!  Basically calories in should equal the calories out!!!

Your exercise is definitely excessive!  Is there a reason that you do so much?  Do you believe that you possibly could be using it as a means of getting rid of calories?  Could you have exercise bulimia?

I think that your body, especially your joints, will most likely be grateful of a day of rest each week, but this may have an effect initially, but your body will adapt and you shouldn't notice too much difference in your weight in the long-term.  I don't think that you should cut down on calories even if you cut down on a day of exercise, or if you do, make sure that you only cut them to no less than 2000 on the day of rest.

I think that you should maybe also visit a Doctor and maybe get them to do a full physical examination in order to make sure that you are not doing any lasting damage to your body.  I would also recommend asking for a referral to a counsellor or psychologist if you do think this could possibly be exercise bulimia.  It may also be worth getting some nutritional advice from a professional in order to make sure that your diet is meeting your high activity level's demands!

Joanne