Workout enthusiasts love sweating out so much that they often end up overtraining to the point of fatigue. It also elevates the risk of injury as there isn’t enough recovery time between sessions. You may have to stop completely, which can hamper your fitness plan and affect its outcome in the long run. Too much exercise can cause more harm than good, so it is something you must avoid doing. But the problem is that you may not even realize that you are crossing the line. But these signs can help you understand that you must slow down with your workout because you are probably overtraining.
Fatigue
It is completely normal to feel tired after exercise, but persistent fatigue is a sign to worry about. You will feel excessively drained while working out or after completing it. Fatigue happens when the body does not get a chance to recover before you start exerting it again. You may also experience it when you do not fuel your body enough before training. It will end up using the internal reserves of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which leads to a feeling of exhaustion.
Pain and soreness
Going over limits with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout often leads to pain and soreness in muscles and joints. The feeling can be accompanied by muscle strains as well. You may end up worsening the pain by not listening to your body and taking a break when you should. Rest between exercise sessions is vital to recovery, so you must take it to prevent the pain from becoming deep-seated.
Overuse injuries
Overuse injuries are another indication that you are doing too much. These may happen in specific areas, such as runners often experience shin splints and plantar fasciitis. You may have general ones such as joint strains and soft tissue injuries. Rest and use of supportive aids can help you address them. For example, you can use kinesiology Tape for Wrist Strain to protect the wrist area. Again, taking a break is crucial because it allows your body to heal and get back on track.
Reduced appetite
A decreased appetite is a cause of concern for fitness enthusiasts because working out should lead to a healthy appetite if you are doing everything right. But overtraining can upset the hormonal balance in your body. It has a direct impact on your appetite. If reduced appetite is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, you must seek medical attention right away.
Lethargy and agitation
The signs of overtraining extend beyond physical ones, as you may also experience some behavioral complications. Overexerting can affect stress hormone levels, and it can have a direct impact on your behavior. It can lead to depression, mood swings, and mental fog. You may feel your concentration and motivation levels dipping as well.
Keep a close track of these symptoms and take a break when you encounter one or more of them. Exercising too much is as harmful as not moving at all, so ensure that you stay within limits.