Plateau and Overtraining Question

[wendybdh]

I've been doing Cathe only for about 2 months. So, as long as I am rotating Cathe workouts will that help me avoid a plateau? I am rotating the intensity series and a few others in no particular order. Do I need to do a rotation? My fitness goals are to lose that last 5 pounds and tone up a bit more.

Also, what is overtraining? How do I know if I am overtraining? I currently do all Cathe - about 1 hour a day on weekdays and about 2 hours on Saturday and on Sunday. Once in a while I am incorporating running but not very often.

Please help and Thanks in advance, Wendy

 

[wendybdh]

just bumping

 

[Debra L]

Hi Wendy!

The last 5 pounds of weight loss is really tough & it gets tougher as we age. Have you done a search? I think Cathe has responded to the question a few times & certainly others have.

Not everyone is a fan of rotations. As long as you're challenging yourself without overdoing, & you're following fitness basics like letting muscles recover for 48 hours after heavy weight work, then you don't need to follow a strict rotation. But shake things up periodically.

A plateau is one indicator of overtraining, but actually backsliding is probably a better warning sign. Other warning signs are elevated resting heart rate, fatique & weakness, frequent illness, poor sleep, bad moods or irritability, & inability to focus.

You probably wouldn't have asked about overtraining unless you were a bit concerned. If you feel like you might be on the edge, back off. You need at least 1 rest (recovery) day each week. Mixing in some low intensity days helps most of us.

Hope this helps.

Debra

 

[WD]

Hi Wendy,
Are there rest days? I take one or two rest days a week. You can get a better workout after a rest day. I have not had much problem with overtraining. Usually if I am more fatigued I back off and do lighter workouts for awhile. It is just listening to your body. I can tell if I have the energy to do something heavier or do a more intense cardio workout. I do heavy weights a lot, but periodiacally I do endurance and circuits for a break. As far as rotations sometimes I do them and sometimes I don't. Once you feel used to one do something else even if it is a small change. That is just what I do. Something else may work for others.
Diane Sue

 

[wendybdh]

I know I should take rest days but I don't. I've worked out everyday for the past year and have maybe missed 10 days total. I am 28 years old and feel great - I don't feel tired like I need a rest and I don't feel burned out. I'm so afraid that if I rest, I will get out of the habit of working out and fall back into old habits (laziness, poor eating)which will result in gaining back the 25 pounds that I have lost.

 

[Bobbi]

You have nothing to fear but fear itself, Wendy! Look at it this way, you can put yourself at risk of an overtraining injury and that can sideline you big time. I often work out 7 days a week but one or two of the workouts is gentle, often yoga. You have done a wonderful job and should not fear a slip. Listen to your body, yes, but fear not. You won't slip because you are a workout queen! I like to alternate different types of workout because I get bored on long rotations of the same thing but everyone is different. So, pay attention and if you do experience any of the signs, know that resting a day or two a week is not going to set you back but can improve your fitness. Congratulations on losing 25 pounds. That's wonderful!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver