Overtraining

Gym rats, diehards, gym nerd, adrenaline junkie. These are just some of the names given to those who train and train consistently. It is a lifestyle that some people just can't relate to. Our "down time" is our workout. It is a time when we can disconnect from our jobs, our technology, and our daily obligations. It is a time we feel in control of our own destiny. A time we feel powerful, strong, self confident, and even sexy.  We are our own competition. Our heart rate elevates with excitement over breaking our next PR. We don't dread workouts. We dread rest days! Our drive and dedication is admirable to some, but to us it can cause the one thing we fear the most- a setback!

Overtraining is very common among the best of athletes. Training too often or with too much intensity can bring your gains to a grinding halt and kill your power. If you have experienced any of the following symptoms, ask yourself, "when is the last time I took a day off?"

*Muscle soreness- a couple days of muscle soreness after a killer workout is normal. Anything lasting beyond a couple days you should rest.

*Insomnia- If you are having trouble sleeping, it may be a result of your excessive training taxing your nervous and hormonal systems. Take a few days off to reset if it persists.

*Change in behavior- If you find yourself (or others find you) becoming aggressive, moody, or depressed, again it could be a sign that you are taxing your nervous system.

*Illness- If you seem to be getting sick more often than usual, it may be a sign that you are taxing your immune system.

*More injuries- Your body needs time to recover and repair between workouts. If you don't allow this required time, your body is in a more weakened state and your form and strength may suffer, possibly leading to injury.

*Burnout- It happens to the best of us My Healthy Friends! If you find yourself lacking in motivation it could be a sign that you need a break. Maybe you need to change up your routine? Maybe you need to take a rest? Good sleep, a week off and proper nutrition will most times take care of this.

*Not seeing the results any longer- Your body will adapt to your workouts and nutrition. If you eat the same thing and do the same workouts day in and day out without change and expect results- isn't that the definition of insanity? Keep it fresh, change it up. Also realize we all hit plateaus. It is just our body's way of catching up! Take a break to reset, refocus, and go with something fresh!

These are just a few of the symptoms of overtraining. There are many more, and not everyone will experience the same thing. We must learn to trust our instincts from our bodies and not so much from our brains. Next time your inner competitor is screaming to "suck it up" and your body is asking for a day off, do yourself and your hard work a favor and take a rest day!

Best in health,

Carol Ann

Creator of My Healthy Friends Fitness Group

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