It’s true … you can exercise too much

Wed., Sept. 7, 2005

Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S. King Features Syndicate

Q: My friend exercises five to six days a week for two hours each day. She is not training for anything specific and says she just wants to lose weight and look fit. Despite her exercising so much, she has stopped seeing much improvement. I told her she may be working out too much and keeping herself from reaching her goals. Can you exercise too much?

A: Many people find it a challenge to make time in their schedule for a regular exercise routine. It is, however, possible to exercise too much. Although not as common as inactivity, overtraining is a serious concern that can cause limited exercise results, risk of injury and loss of performance.

There are symptoms that can help identify overtraining, including: loss of strength; reduced speed, agility and endurance; loss of appetite; aches, pains and prolonged soreness; unusual fatigue; increased heart rate; and overuse injuries.

Your body needs time to recover from workout to workout in order to strengthen and prepare itself for the stresses that will be placed upon it each day. Without time to rest and recover, your body becomes unable to keep up with exercise demands and will begin to take steps to slow you down.

Rest is the best remedy for combating overtraining. Taking five to seven days off from your normal, rigorous exercise routine can help your body recover. You can continue to participate in light exercise, but not at the intensity or frequency of previous sessions. After several days you should begin to feel your body spring back. If you do not begin to feel better, see your physician to check for other causes.

It may seem that the more exercise you do the better, but everything has a limit — even exercise. Overtraining can also drain you mentally, causing irritability, frustration and difficulty concentrating and sleeping. Balance is the key to maintaining a healthy exercise regime. Be sure to give your body and mind a rest so they can rejuvenate and perform at their fullest.

Always consult a physician before beginning an exercise program.

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