Are You Overexercising?

Recently, I am glad to know that some clients of Victoria Rose have been exercising a lot more than they used to do. Many have signed up for numerous gym memberships and Private Training sessions.

We all know that moving our bodies benefits our heart health, bone health, weight control, mood and emotional health, and much more. However, just like good and healthy food. Too much of the same can be bad for us.

While there are guidelines that recommend adults to get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity each week, in addition to at least 30 minutes of strength training per week. I see many have gone beyond these guidelines’ recommendations.

Yes. They are young and energetic. Maybe their bodies can recover better and faster than people of my age. However, I have always felt the need to take care of our body from young and not when pains and symptoms set in.

It’s important to point out that these guidelines are just guidelines. For they do not specify if there’s an upper limit that renders an exercise to be considered unsafe.

So, when is too much exercise?

There are primarily two main ways to determine if you have overexercised:

• Overtraining - Overtraining is when you’re pushing yourself too hard too quickly. Overtraining usually results from not giving yourself enough rest in between workouts, not getting adequate nutrition for the exercise you’re doing, not getting enough sleep, exercising too intensely, or not cutting back on workouts when you are sick or injured, etc.
• Compulsive exercising - Compulsive exercise is when exercise no longer feels like an activity you want to do but becomes an activity you feel you have to do. People who are compulsive exercisers might notice that exercise is no longer enjoyable — or that they feel guilty or anxious if they don’t exercise. To compulsive exercisers, their exercise routine has become more of a chore than something they should enjoy.

8 Signs You’re Overexercising

• Extended Period of Muscle Soreness and Fatigue
• Decreased Immunity Levels
• Increased Frequency in Injuries
• Mood Irritability
• Low Energy and Motivation
• Getting Tired Early in Your Workout
• Hitting Performance Plateaus or Declines
• Depression or Anxiety in the Gym

Whenever you exhibit any of the 8 signs as listed above, chances are you have been overexercising. It is time to take a break from your exercise routine for a while.

Remember this fact - we exercise to build our health and not to hurt ourselves by overdoing it.

Thank you for reading this article.

You have my best.

Victor Ang
Founder & CEO, Victoria Rose