Exercise is good for you, but can you go overboard? You bet you can. There comes a point of diminishing returns or, worse, a point where your body can’t keep up and shouts STOP! If you feel sore week after week and notice that your energy levels are dropping, you could be suffering from overtraining.
Signs of overdoing it:
Signs of overtraining include decreased energy, loss of coordination, prolonged recovery times, elevated morning heart rate, headaches, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal disturbances and injury.
Keep in mind that not all of the signs of overtraining are physical. Much like regular exercise has a positive effect on mood and stress levels, too much exercise can do just the opposite, leaving you irritable and depressed. Psychological and emotional signs of overtraining include depression, apathy, difficulty concentrating, emotional sensitivity and reduced self-esteem.
Recovery is the key:
The key to staying fit and healthy is to exercise regularly at your pace while leaving adequate time for your body to recover. Listen to your body and adapt your program accordingly. Your body and mind will thank you and you’ll see results on a more consistent basis.
Alex Savva is the founder of CircuitFIT studios. His unique 30 minute total body workout incorporates cardio, weight training and core training creating an optimally balanced exercise program. Alex has appeared on City TV and CP24’s Perfect Fit as a fitness expert. He is a certified Kinesiologist with a degree in Physical and Health Education. Alex will be contributing to urbanmoms.ca as our fitness and health expert. If you have questions or suggestions please send Alex an email. You can learn more about CircuitFIT by visiting their website at www.circuit-fit.com.