Are You Feeling Beat Down?

This week on the blog, we're talking about side effects of overtraining.

Working out too much and too hard is one of the main contributors to BURNOUT 🔥 and feeling BEAT DOWN.

The No pain no gain mentality is big in many fitness circles. While it may feel cool and even empowering for a while, continuously loading our bodies with more and more exercise comes with am expensive price tag.

How Do Your Workouts Make You Feel?

Here are some things to consider. If you find yourself…

🚨 Tired and not recovered for the next workout
🚨 Feeling like you HAVE to work out even though you don't want to
🚨 Barely getting halfway through the workout and already feeling depleted
🚨 Constantly sore and achy…

Then it's time to pull back and take a good look at your workouts.

But I Don't Know How Else to Exercise!

I know, I know. You've always worked out hard, all your friends work out hard and you have absolutely no idea how to work out any differently. And you've also been told to NOT rest but keep going no matter what.

But what if the go hard or go home mentality is wrong?

Here's the deal: Overtraining doesn't start feeling terrible right away. But it sneaks up on us if we don't do anything about it! I've been there and remember it wayyyy too well. Feeling like crap all the time, still trying to power through that set of burpees because who am I even if I don't do them?

This is how we often think. That we earn our value and worth by doing more, never skipping a workout, always going harder. Even if it means we're totally beat down.

How to Avoid Feeling Beat Down

Here's the good news… You can start feeling better again.

Unless you're completely depleted and need an entire month off (I once needed 5 months off!) you can start here.

Instead of doing this…

Intense workouts, like Crossfit, metcons, bootcamps
Bodyweight HIIT that typically includes tons of burpees, squat jumps etc
30+ minute cardio sessions multiple times a week
Working out every single day
Rarely, if ever, taking rest days

Start doing this:

Lift weights slower, allowing yourself to rest fully between the sets
Bodyweight workouts that focus on building strength and great form, not speed
Walking or leisurely bike rides, daily if you'd like (keyword: leisurely!)
Alternate harder workout days with lighter days and/or rest days
Take rest days as you need them.

What questions do you have about overtraining?

Do you think you might be overtraining? Check out the Fitness Personality quiz that tells you what how you can make your workouts work for you, not against you, all based on your personality type!