You have been juggling work and home responsibilities with rigorous training. You think you have found a busy yet balanced medium when you come down with a cold. You are eating well and although you are training hard you are sure to incorporate rest into your programs. So why did you get sick?
New research has found that overtrained people have decreased immune systems. Overtrained individuals do not recognize the signs of overtraining. Mood changes and lingering general fatigue are the first signs that you have gone over the edge. If you are training as hard or harder than usual but performing worse, or training has become a grind rather than a joy, it is time to back off. If left unchecked, overtraining can interfere with the quality of your workouts and more importantly your life- for months.
The following are signs to look for to distinguish whether or not you are working out too much:
Signs to look for in your life:
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Increased tension, anger, irritability.
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No interest in activities you usually enjoy, and not sleeping well.
Signs to look for in your health:
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Increased infections, colds and other illnesses.
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Inexplicable weight changes, either up or down.
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Constipation or diarrhea.
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Elevated morning pulse.
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Cuts and scars take a long time to heal.
By keeping track of the more general indicators of overtraining and erring on the side of caution, you can prevent most cases of overtraining.