6 Healthy You: a guide to well-being Are you overtraining?


HERE ARE SOME SIGNS TOWATCH FOR


METRONEWS SERVICE E


xercise is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle.Many people find that pairing a nutritious,well-balanced diet


with routine exercise is a successful formula for a long and healthy life. People typically knowwhen to stop


eating. In fact, the brain signals when the stomach is full to prevent the body fromeating too much. Exercise can be a little trickier, as men and women may be inclined to ignore certain warning signs of overexertion during a workout. Thewell-known workoutmotto “no pain, no gain” implies that rewards await those who push through their pain during a workout.However, ignoring signals that the body is being overtrained can have a detrimental effect on both short- and long-termhealth. According to the American Council


on Exercise, there is a tipping point in regard to howmuch exercise the body can take. ACE notes that, when people pass that point, the exercise they engage in can actually domore harm than good. ACE refers to the tipping point as overtraining syndrome, or OTS, which can actually contribute to a reduction in overall fitness and increase a person’s risk for injury. People dealing withOTS may not


recognize its symptoms as readily as they would a full stomach. As a result, it can be easier to overtrain than overeat. For instance, people focused on living healthy often knowwhen to call it quits at the dinner table, but might not knowwhen to end a workout.Overtraining can be just as harmful as overeating, and athletes can help themselves by learning to recognize various signs of overtraining. •Decreased performance: ACE


notes that a lack of improved performance, despite an increase in training intensity or volume, is a telltale sign ofOTS. Athletes who recognize a decrease in their agility, strength and endurance might be


dealing withOTS. • Increased perceive effort during


workouts:OTS can make seemingly effortless workouts seem difficult. An abnormally elevated heart rate during exercise or even throughout the day may indicateOTS. • Excessive fatigue: Too much


training can contribute to fatigue because the body is not being given ample time to recover between workouts. • Agitation and moodiness:


Overtraining can contribute to a hormonal imbalance that affects stress levels, potentially making people more irritable and contributing tomoodiness. • Insomnia or restless sleep: The


overproduction of stress hormones that can occur when overtraining can adversely affect a person’s ability to get adequate sleep. Additional signs of overtraining include loss of appetite, chronic or nagging injuries, metabolic imbalances, and stress and/or depression.


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