FITNESS & BEAUTY · DECEMBER 2018
A R E YOU
OVER
TRAINING?
H
ow do you know when you’ve
gone too far when exercising?
Our bodies will tell us when
that new fitness routine we’re
obsessed with has taken its
toll. It’s normal to have some aches and pains
after a workout, but if you should suffer from
long periods of muscle soreness following
a vigorous exercise regimen, it might be the
first sign that you've overdone it.
A day or two with slight discomfort isn't a
big deal. If after a week you're still feeling the
effects, that could be a sign that you've gone
too far. Couple that with sleep changes and
feeling sluggish and unenergized, you could
have the perfect cocktail of overtraining.
The last thing anyone who works out wants
or needs is to be sidelined by an injury.
It breaks momentum. While consistent
training is important, overdoing it can lead to
significant injuries. The key is to be cognizant
of cues that you may have gone too far.
HERE ARE SOME SIGNS TO
WATCH OUT FOR:
1. Reduced Health or Well-Being:
What you eat and how you feel play a
significant role in preventing illnesses and
injuries. If you're overworked or are working
out too much, you run the risk of falling
prey to an illness or injury. Pay attention to
“
This is my invariable
advice to people: Learn
how to cook — try new
recipes, learn from your
mistakes, be fearless, and
above all have fun!
”
Julia Child
what you put in your body and try
as best as you can to stick to a
healthy fitness routine.
2. Sore muscles that last
for extended periods of
time: If you wake up and find
yourself in pain from yesterday's
workout, you might have an
issue. It is highly unusual to
be in significant pain post
workout. Exercising more
than recommended won’t
help you reach your goals
faster. In fact, it may slow
you down.
3. Feeling sluggish: If you're feeling
sluggish, it could be due to a number of
factors, including poor sleep habits and
stress from work or home. Failing to give
your body the rest it needs between
workouts only adds to the feeling of
sluggishness. A good exercise program and
routine will leave you feeling energized.
4. Lack of motivation: If you don't get
out of your funk and move, your mind and
body will pay the price. The problem presents
itself when you jump in without a plan.
5. Feeling agitated for no
apparent reason: Exercising has been
proven to be a mood booster, but over-
exercising is counterintuitive. It doesn't
make us feel more motivated. It leaves us
in pain and feeling overwhelmed. Don't let
that happen. Stick to an achievable goal and
routine and reap the benefits in due time.
6. You'll see an increase in
injuries if you overwork your body,
so don't try to cram a month's worth of
exercises into an evening. All you'll do is wear
yourself out mentally and physically. Your
body needs time to get used to a routine.
It needs ample breaks between workouts.
You also need to be properly nourished and
hydrated and to get enough sleep. All of
these will help with a speedy recovery after
an intense workout.
By James Yamure
38 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
WWW.HEALTHYMAGAZINE.COM