Are You Overtraining?

Last week, someone asked me how do I stay motivated. They had just finished a marathon – they felt wiped out and have been losing inspiration and steam to get their butts in gear and get a workout in and wanted my advice. The advice I gave them? Take a break. That feeling they were experiencing is a sure sign of Over training.

We all feel burned out from time to time — need to switch up our routine but if it’s more than that — that even the idea of working out seems like the worst idea ever, your body is telling you it needs some downtime. Think about it –it’s something you love and now all of the sudden – the joy isn’t there.

We have all be conditioned to believe that if we engage in more physical exercise, the better in shape we become. Well — according to much of the research, less is more. Mark Sisson mentioned in one recent post : “Less is more – as far as exercise goes – is becoming another accepted truth, especially when you understand that 80% of your body composition is determined by how you eat.”

The symptoms over over training are the same no matter the sport or exercise and include loss of interest in your workouts or activities. Your body is a well designed machine, and if you actually stop and listen to it — it tells you what to do and what’s going on.

Fatigue
Sleep disturbances (poor-quality or restless sleep)
Lack of interest in workouts or daily activities
Muscle soreness that does not go away normally
Injuries that do not heal
Decreased appetite or Nausea
Weight loss
Frequent infections
Mood disturbances: irritability, depression

If you think you are experiencing symptoms of overtraining, read up on it and take a break. You will come back stronger – I promise!

Live Fit and Sore

Are You Overtraining?

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