Getting into a regular fitness routine is one of the most talked-about ways to support overall health (aside from healthy eating). And, while we all know that moving our body regularly comes with a whole list of health benefits, the dangers of overdoing it isn’t talked about quite as much.
Ahead, I’m sharing what you need to know about why too much of a good thing isn’t always the right answer and how to find that right balance when it comes to establishing a regular fitness routine.
Can You Workout Too Much?
Simply put, exercising too much is not a good thing. When we overdo it, the body doesn’t have enough time to rest and recover.
Exercising too much (often referred to as overtraining) may lead to unwanted side effects, such as:
- Fatigue
- Sore muscles
- Joint pain
Plus, overtraining can even cause us to get stuck in a fight-or-flight response, keeping that sympathetic nervous system activated. This can cause issues like difficulty sleeping and anxiousness.
Overtime, we may even lose the desire to exercise altogether.
Finding The Right Balance
Now, this information certainly isn’t meant to deter you from exercising regularly — however, it’s important to find the right balance, being sure that you are moving your body enough, but not too much that you run the risk of overtraining.
Here are five hacks to finding the right exercise balance:
#1 Ease Into a Routine
If you are just starting a workout routine, ease into it. Don’t jump into five days per week — try starting with a few days and see how it feels. You also don’t have to feel pressure to get a solid hour in at the gym. Even just 20 minutes of exercise has been shown to be beneficial!
#2 Check-in With Your Body
Once you’re done exercising, check-in with your body. Do you feel totally depleted, or did that yoga or Pilates workout leave you feeling energized?
Always listen to your body and stick with workouts that energize you, while skipping the ones that leave you feeling totally drained.
#3 Make Clean Eating a Priority
A huge part of a successful fitness routine is proper nutrition. We can’t expect to exercise at our best if we aren’t giving the body the nourishment it needs. So, focus on enjoying a whole foods diet, steering clear of processed and artificial foods, and limiting sugar.
Refuel your body with a nutrient-dense post-workout shake to support muscle recovery and give your body a much-needed boost.
Here’s a recipe to get you started.
Post-workout Strawberry Collagen Shake
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup strawberries
- 1 tablespoon Cacao Bliss
- 1 scoop Earth Echo Collagen Peptides
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
Enjoy!
#4 Add in a Recovery Day
If you tend to go non-stop and exercise every single day, it’s time to add in an active recovery day or a day of total rest. Your body needs it to recover, and you may feel even more motivated to get back to it after a day off.
#5 Take a Break
If you feel burnt out and exhausted from your current fitness routine, take a break! Just take some time off from your current schedule to let your body rest and reevaluate what kind of exercise routine is going to work better for your schedule and your body.
Exercise Should Leave You Feeling Energized, Not Depleted
Exercise is a powerful tool to support energy levels, a better mood, and improved health. But, it’s all about balance and listening to your body and what works best for you.
Are you ready to start your own healthy and balanced fitness routine? Join Fit Rise 365 Risk Free.
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How Sore Is Too Sore After A Workout And How Can I Fix It?
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