7 Signs to Tell If You’re Overtraining
If you’re in the middle of a vigorous training program, you can’t afford to be sidelined by injury, pain and fatigue.
However, if you’re not careful, you may overwork your body and fall victim to a range of symptoms that may stop your training routine in its tracks. Keep your eyes open for these 7 signs of overtraining to avoid interrupting your progress while you recover from your injuries.
1. Sore Muscles for Extended Periods
Waking up with sore muscles is not unusual after a day of vigorous exercise. If your muscles remain sore for more than a day, however, they may be overworked. Continuing to exercise vigorously while your muscles scream for relief won’t help you achieve your goals and may even lead to an injury.
2. Reduced Health
Your overall health and diet play a critical role in your ability to ward off illnesses. If you’ve overworked yourself, however, then your body’s resources will be devoted to recovering from your training instead of preventing sickness. If you’ve noticed that you seem to be getting sick more often and have a longer recovery period with each illness, you might be overdoing things in the gym.
3. Feeling Sluggish
Sluggishness can be caused by a number of factors, including poor sleep and stress from work. However, failing to give your body enough rest between workouts can also make you feel sluggish and fatigued. A good exercise program that pushes you without overworking your body will leave you feeling energized instead of exhausted.
4. Lack of Motivation
If getting up off the couch for an afternoon run seems as daunting as climbing Mount Everest, your mind and body might be feeling stressed from your workout regime. Taking a break or temporarily switching to a different exercise activity may help you rebuild your motivation.
5. Changes in Sleep Habits
Your sleep habits can help you determine if your body is stressed from too much exercise. Some individuals become overstimulated from too much training and experience difficulty in falling asleep. In other cases, you may find yourself habitually oversleeping. You may also notice that you long for your bed even after a full night of sleep.
6. Mood Changes
Your body and your exercise habits can influence your mental condition. If you’re suddenly feeling more anxious and agitated, your body may be suffering from overtraining. In addition, you may also feel more irritable and struggle to concentrate on important tasks, including work and hobbies.
7. Increase in Injuries
Repeatedly stressing your muscles without rest doesn’t give your body enough time to repair the minor strains and injuries that naturally accumulate while you train. Eliminating rest days may cause these small injuries to grow into major problems. In addition, overexertion can aggravate old injuries.
Overworking your body with your workout regime can make you feel tired and sore. If you notice any signs that indicate that you’ve pushed your body too hard, it’s time to take a break or change your workout program.
source: www.precor.com
