TRAINING
Avoid Over-Training and Burnout with Intuitive Exercise Worry Less About Fitting the Mold & Do Fitness For You
Written by Kirsten Myers Photo by Jake Martin
I
n today’s fitness-obsessed world, more is often viewed as better and phrases like “no days off” are often glamorized on social media. Unfortunately, society has taught us that everyone should always be trying to lose weight. This makes fitness feel like a chore, and some people’s “why” becomes changing their physical appearance. The issue with this approach is that it’s not always sustainable long-term. Not only is burnout common with this style of training, but it can often lead to disappointment and negative body image. It’s also not uncommon for this cycle to leave you feeling as if you’ve failed at
fitness, coaxing you to push harder and harder overall. This can ultimately cause an unhealthy relationship with exercise and even over-training. If you’ve been living that “on good days I workout, on bad days I workout harder” lifestyle, here are some signs to watch out for when it comes to over-training: • Feeling tired, drained or lacking energy post workout instead of that endorphin release high • Pain in muscles and joints— especially DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) • A sudden drop in performance
or stamina • Muscle fatigue
• Insomnia • Headaches • Decreased immunity (increased number of colds and infections) • Moodiness and irritability • Depression • Decreased appetite • Abnormal cortisol or hormonal fluctuations • Low libido • Loss of period or irregular periods
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WINTER 2019
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