This week so many questions came in that it was hard for me to just pick a few. There were quite a few that asked very smart questions that made me pause for a moment to think about the answer. I’m so grateful you are writing in. Remember if you have a question don’t hesitate to ask. I may even answer it on one of my blog posts!
Email: thesassygirlblog@gmail.com or tweet me @sassygirlfitHow much exercise is too much?
Alex
LA, CA
Since most people struggle getting in enough exercise in their daily life it’s easy to forget that there are tons of people who do too much. How do you know if you do too much? If your workouts suddenly feel harder than usual, or you're losing ground despite the fact that you're working hard, you may be experiencing overtraining.
If you are experiencing any of the following chances are you are overtraining.I suggest going to a doc to make sure nothing else is going on.
- Insomnia
- Achiness or pain in the muscles and/or joints
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Elevated morning pulse
- Sudden inability to complete workouts
- Feeling unmotivated and lacking energy
- Increased susceptibility to colds, sore throats and other illnesses
- Loss in appetite
- Decrease in performance
What exactly is overtraining?
Not enough variety is terrible for you. If you do the same exercise every single day it’s too much. Doing the same workout day after day can also lead to overtraining, boredom and possible injury.
The answer is simple. REST! After you lift weights your body needs time. I recommend never working the same muscle group two days in a row. One day of rest before working the same muscle group. For cardio I suggest never doing the same cardio routine day after day. You may wind up with a repetitive stress injury. If you are a runner or like to bike every day make sure a few days a week you do a low-intensity workout like a easy swim, or a walk.
Avoiding overtraining is simple. Follow these easy steps:
- Warm up before your workout. Proper warm-up can help prevent injuries.
- Fuel up after exercise. Your body needs energy to recover and that comes from food. Carbs, Proteins and Fats are good choices.
- Stretch! Tight muscles can often cause other muscles of your body to overcompensate, which can cause injury over time.
- Schedule recovery days into your weekly routine. Listen to your body. If you're 10 minutes into your workout and you're feeling tired and unmotivated, go back home and rest or do a light workout.
- Get adequate sleep.
If I eat Low Fat products will it help me lose weight?
Katie
Scottsdale, AZ
The answer is no. The Low-Fat label on your favorite product means more sugar is added to make up for the lake of taste.Yogurt and Chips are common culprits. Check the food labels for sugars as well as saturated fats and carbohydrates.
