When does training become overtraining?

[shopgirl]

Hi Cathe -

I have been doing your workouts solely for the past 6 months and I think they are fantastic! Thanks so much for continuing to challenge us.

My question is about overtraining. A few of us have started a smaller lower-body rotation where we work the lower body 4+ days a week in addition to cardio workouts. Although my legs are firming, there is still a layer of fat on the thighs and (unfortunately) the caboose. I have an hour in the early morning where I do one of your DVDs (from either the Intensity Series or Body Blast), and I have an hour at lunchtime where I could run to the gym, hit the treadmill or elliptical, shower, and get back to my desk. Would that help blast the fat or would that be overtraining? If it isn't overtraining, how many days of lunchtime exercise should I do? I should add that I'm an awkward runner, but if it will result in shrinkage - I'll do it.

Any suggestions you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[icklemoley]

Hi,

Though not Cathe i think that twice per day training isn't the best option unless you have super recovery abilities. Training is stress and recovery is very important. I am very aware of Freestyle trining (high frequency lower body training) and it does work (i think) but adding more exercise to an already high frequency lower body training will only result in injury as most CV work is done using the lower body (running, stepping, elliptical, bikes, etc...). Perhaps diet is the place to begin concentrating more on (ie record what you eat, change diet, etc...) and see where that takes you? Hope this helps.

Wayne x

 

[shopgirl]

Thanks for your suggestions Wayne. I am doing the Body for Life Program for the second time, but have cheated a bit this round and therefore am not experiencing the good results I had 2 years ago when I did the program and never cheated once. I'm 5'5" and 118, so I'm not looking to lose much, but these lingering pounds are not budging. arrrgh!}(

 

[letswork]

Hi Shopgirl

I had to jump in here and say that I've been doing "Freestyle" type training for the last few weeks along with BFL eating. Sounds like we are in the same boat.

Anyway, I've been alternating 30-40 minute leg routines with 30-40 minute interval runs. I have been ridiculously faithful to my BFL diet plan and I am really happy with the results so far. (I only have one cheat meal instead of an entire cheat DAY!)

In my humble opinion it's all about consistency, clean eating and making sure you give every single workout all the focus and intensity you can muster. I do admit that adding those interval runs to my routine has made a big difference. Maybe you could switch two of your morning Cathe workouts to an interval run. Just a suggestion, take it or leave it, right?

In any case, I'd still LOVE to hear what Cathe thinks about Freestyle training or any advice she can give us on leaning out the lower body.

 

[shopgirl]

RE: Hi Shopgirl

I did my first set of lunchtime interval runs this week, hope it breaks the plateau I'm on. I agree with you about the clean eating. I am diligent about my exercise, but put a doughnut within a mile of me and I'm sunk! ;-)