Possibly overtraining?

pjlippert

pjlippert

Cathlete
So, I think I might be overtraining. I'm just wiped out after most workouts, I'm cranky (which is not a normal thing for me), my energy is in the tank, I'm achy and want/need to go to bed early only to wake up at some odd hour. I think I might need a break. If so, how long of a break should I take? I've been pushing myself quite hard for the past couple of months.... all to no avail for breaking that darned plateau!! Me thinks my body doth protest and I need to listen to it.

Feedback, por favor.

Thanks.
Pam

ps- I had all my blood work done recently and all is normal/within healthy ranges.
 
How many rest days do you take right now? Maybe all you need to do is add 1 or 2 more in per week for a while and possibly shorten some of your work outs. I have never taken any more then a couple days off unless I was forced to b/c I was ill. Never felt the need. I have been run down and felt over trained at times and find that adding in some extra rest days every week and shortening my w/o's or easing the intensity for a while has helped me! This is just me though. If you think you need more time off then that then by all means..TAKE IT!
 
I have felt like this in the past and someone here on this forum told me to take a week off and rest. She was so right. I came back stronger with better endurance and felt great. I didn't lose any gains I had made. It was the best advice and I appreciate it.
 
Thats how I'm feeling now. The only difference I'm 7+ months pregnant and havent stop once since I found out I was pregnant. My rest day are Sundays, but lately I've been feeling extremely fitigue. My workouts go from 4am till 5:40am, imidiately after that I continue my household shores, I'm a daycare provider for 3 children plus have 5 boy's of my own. By the end of the day, I'm hurting and could barely move around. I hope all ths hard work I'm putting into my workouts makes it alot iesier to loose the pounds I've manage to pack on with the pregnancy!!!
 
Hi gals,

Thank you soo much for the advice. I think I might just need to take a full week rest or at least a few days to recoup and prevent any overuse injuries.

Thanks again!
Pam
 
DEFINITELY overtraining.... I checked about a dozen sites and all say the same things and I got-a-lotta the signs! :eek:

Common Warning Signs and Symptoms of Overtraining Syndrome

•Washed-out feeling, tired, drained, lack of energy- yes
•Mild leg soreness, general aches and pains- yes
•Pain in muscles and joints -yes
•Sudden drop in performance -more frequen
•Insomnia - yes
•Headaches -sometimes (and I don't get headaches ususally)
•Decreased immunity (increased number of colds, and sore throats) -no, thank you!
•Decrease in training capacity / intensity- off and on
•Moodiness and irritability- yes (sorry, DS! :()
•Depression NEVER
•Loss of enthusiasm for the sport - a little bit
•Decreased appetite I wish!!
•Increased incidence of injuries. -hip & knee bugging me a lot
•A compulsive need to exercise- big-time, I forgot to mention this one, I have been forcing myself even though I'm tired and don't feel like it.

Rest week, here I come!!
 
Definately take a week off especially if its been a while since you have had an extended break. I was at a plateau myself and killing myself with intense workouts. I took a week off then went back to working out with a more moderate approach and broke that plateau. Plateaus can be a sign of overtraining as well. Enjoy your week off:)
 
thanks so much!

Wow! I just read your post and boy did it hit home! Thanks for listing all the signs of overtraining. I've been wondering why I simply cannot sleep, feel tired and achy, obsessed to work out etc. I had an inkling (well, more than an inkling) that I was overtraining but I was trying to ignore it:eek:
Thanks for the post and the much needed advise!
 
Sounds like you may be overtrained. But, you may also be under eating calories and not absorbing your fluids (lack of sodium will do that.) The reason I am suspicious of all of that is because you have been working out really hard and you are really tired. You may need to just sit on your butt and eat a stir fry with plenty of nice vegetables (bak choi, peas, pea pods,) and some nice oils like coconut (Spectrum brand is great) or olive oil, put some tamari sauce on it, add some chicken (if you eat meat) or tempeh. Eat until you are no longer hungry. Have a little bit of fruit for dessert.

Do a week of yoga and walking. Alternate between the two. Don't walk real fast, just enjoy the motion of your body. Don't wear your THR. Don't count the calories. Eat whole foods, plenty of fats and vegetables until you are no longer hungry. Don't skip meals. Do this for a week.

Then check back in with us, let us know how you are feeling and we will come up with a plan (or you can on your own.) to ease back into your workouts.
 
Hi Sherry,

You are most welcome. I knew I wasn't alone in this. It's like our bodies are subtle at first with "hinting" about needing a break and then it starts to send out a zillion signals saying (to me at least) "hey stupid!! give me a break already, will ya?!?! Cuz if you don't, I'm gonna make sure you regret it (read overuse injury!":eek::eek:

You go get yourself some much needed rest as well!

Healing hugs to all of us!
Pam
 
Btw, I take an easy week once a month. I don't use the same rotation for more than three weeks at a stretch. I take rest days when I hurt. Love your body and it will perform for you.
 
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