Are you overtraining?

Q: What is overtraining? Are there any easy-to-recognize signs or symptoms of overtraining?

A: Overtraining is a term that is used to express a situation when an imbalance occurs between training and recovery. The symptoms of overtraining can vary from one individual to another.
Overtraining, however, frequently involves one or more of the following common signs or symptoms:

Impaired physical performance
Reduced enthusiasm and desire for training
Increased resting heart rate (i.e., your heart rate taken first thing in the morning before getting out of bed is higher than normal)
Increased resting blood pressure
Chronic muscle or joint soreness
Increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries
Increased incidence of colds and infections
Impaired recovery from exercise (e.g., heart rate remains elevated well after the completion of a bout of exercise)
Increased perceived exertion during your normal workouts
Reduced appetite
Dramatic weight loss
Disturbed sleep patterns
Increased depression, irritability, or anxiety

If you experience any one, or a combination, of these symptoms then you may be in a state of over-training. Reduce the time, intensity, and frequency of your exercise until you are feeling better. During this time you may want to rethink your exercise regime and create something that works better for you and your body....talking with a fitness professional, such as a personal trainer, can aid you.

"Behave your way to success."