How do you prevent overtraining?

[luli]

Hi Cathe,
First, let me say how much I love your workouts! I "discovered" your DVDs a couple of years ago and I am officially a Cathe Fan I also like running and other sports but nothing feels as great as a tough workout with you!!!
Now to my question. You seem to be very busy and I imagine you exercise at least once everyday. How do you prevent over training and getting burned out?
As I said, I love your workouts and do them regularly, but feel that I get really tired after 4 or 5 consecutive days of training.
Do you think proper nutrition plays a big role?
Finally, I just want to say I dream about the day I get to go to a road trip and meet you and the rest of your team. For now, it is only a dream since I have a 1 year old son and lots of work here in Boston, but I am delighted to know of the possibility you might be somewhere close in your EB tour!
Thanks again for inspiring us so much and making us healthier and stronger!
Best,
LULI

 

[mlmccauley]

The concept of overtraining has me perplexed as well. Would love to know how someone whose career is revolved around fitness avoids it. Is it because your body is accustomed to it? Thanks.

Maria

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Thanks for your sweet note Luli!

Preventing burnout and over training is best done by changing up the type of workouts you do as well as the length, time, intensity, and frequency of your workouts. You mentioned you have a on year old son...how wonderful is that , but as all moms know, especially mom's of kids under 5years old, it can be very tiring and rob you of all the energy you need to workout. So don't be so hard on yourself if you are feeling this way. Honestly, I think the 4 to 5 days you are doing now is a great number. Try doing two to three days and take a day off and then another two to three days and another day off, etc. That will give your body good recovery time plus keep you looking forward to your workouts with enthusiasm and energy.

Yes, I do believe nutrition is important. It supports your stamina, muscle building as well as your recovery (as do your days off). I don't think you have to be super strict and cut back on all life's joys but I do think you need to make most of your choices healthy choices and eat fresh foods vs packaged foods. Some mor healthy examples: Grilled over fried, steamed and broiled over gravy and sauce preparations, dark green veggies over ice berg lettuce, apple over applesauce, etc.

I do hope we get to meet one day too. Until then hugs to you and your precious one year old son.

Hi Cathe,
First, let me say how much I love your workouts! I "discovered" your DVDs a couple of years ago and I am officially a Cathe Fan I also like running and other sports but nothing feels as great as a tough workout with you!!!
Now to my question. You seem to be very busy and I imagine you exercise at least once everyday. How do you prevent over training and getting burned out?
As I said, I love your workouts and do them regularly, but feel that I get really tired after 4 or 5 consecutive days of training.
Do you think proper nutrition plays a big role?
Finally, I just want to say I dream about the day I get to go to a road trip and meet you and the rest of your team. For now, it is only a dream since I have a 1 year old son and lots of work here in Boston, but I am delighted to know of the possibility you might be somewhere close in your EB tour!
Thanks again for inspiring us so much and making us healthier and stronger!
Best,
LULI