Regular exercise is an integral part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, some people tend to go much further than the extra mile, blurring the line between routine and obsession, putting their mental and physical well-being at risk in the process. Excessive exercise or over training can reverse the effects of routine exercise; weight gain, muscle damage and high risk of cardiac arrest are some of the numerous problems posed by over training.
Here are 6 warning signs your body might be sending you for a well-deserved break:
1- Fatigue:
Feeling tired and/or stressed despite an intense workout for days on end might be a sign that your body needs to rest. Tiring in the earlier stages of your daily workout routine is also a sign of excessive strain; and while your immediate reaction would be to exercise some more to get an energy boost, however, it is not advisable as it will keep your muscles in a state of unrest.
2- Elevated Resting Heart Rate:
The resting heart rate (bpm of the heart at rest) of a healthy individual is from 50-60 bpm. A heart rate higher than this range for consecutive periods of time despite being physically fit could indicate your body is nearing burnout.
3- Reduced Immunity:
Avid exercisers have increased immunity to common ailments such as cough or flu. If you continue to contract these ailments or they are taking longer than usual to heal, you can take it as a sign that your body might be a victim to excessive exercise.
4- Negative Mood Changes:
Regular bouts of depression, stress, irritability or anxiety are decisive factors of excessive exercise. This can be attributed to the fact that the same hormones that are released in times of emotional stress are also released when the body is physically strained.
5- Insomnia:
Excessive exercise causes your body to go into a state of ‘overload’, causing restlessness. It also interferes with the body’s circadian rhythm and disrupts sleep patterns, meaning you might wake up earlier than expected or have trouble falling or staying asleep.
6- Low Appetite:
Over-straining your body causes functions like metabolism to slow down. The body responds by attempting to significantly reduce its workload, hence reducing the impulse to eat. This usually occurs in the mid to later stages of over-training.
If these tips aren’t effective, do not hesitate to Book Appointments with Top Specialists in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad through oladoc.com.Or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 if you need any help with finding the RIGHT Doctor for your needs.
