Am I overtraining?

Karstenf

So I started with going to the gym in the morning before work, about 1 1/2 hour workouts. Then our work slowed down, so my boss started letting us go an hour early every day, so I hit the gym again (it's on my way home). Since I started this it's harder to get up in the morning, so those workouts have reduced to about 40 minutes, but I figured no big deal, I'm working out in the afternoon anyway. Now I have started Insanity in the evenings. I usually eat back my calories from exercise, but this third workout is leaving quite a deficit (500-700 calories). I'm tired, but not over-fatigued. I'm just looking at the numbers and wondering if I'm doing my meatabolism harm. I'm definitely gonna stick with Insanity for the next two months, but I also like my strength training, especially in the morning. Oh, I also gained back a pound this week. I know it could just be water weight, but I've also heard that overtraining will cause weight gain. Any advice is welcome.

meshashesha2012

you say you're tired but do you ever feel rested? if not that could be a sign that you're overtraining.

thefuzz1290

Only your body can tell you if you're over training. If you start feeling extremely fatigued, have insomnia, a severe change in appetite (more or less), or even depression, you might be over training.

Nicola0000

Only your body can tell you if you're over training. If you start feeling extremely fatigued, have insomnia, a severe change in appetite (more or less), or even depression, you might be over training.

Agree with this

Your body needs fuel to be able to function. Eat a high GI carb snack just after workout to replenish lost glycogen stores (your bodys energy stores). Make sure you're eating enough carbs overall to help with energy, at get at least 1 rest day a week.

Are you losing or maintaining?

Karstenf

only maintaining this week. I was hoping my body was just adjusting to the extra work. I'm probably gonna stick with it another week to see if I lose anything. I'm sleeping like a rock, and feel great when I get up (except for a little muscle soreness). Is it okay to do a little light cardio on my day of rest? (Sundays)

therealangd

Your body NEEDS rest days. So, if you've been working out 3 times a day for 6 days, you are definitely going to need to rest.

If you are feeling fatigued your body is telling you to rest.

Light cardio is not rest.

chevy88grl

Well.. I'll be honest, if I were doing all that you're doing - I would definitely be over training. However, it varies from person to person. Pay close attention to what your body is telling you.

Also, rest days are very important. Your body needs a chance to rest, repair and relax. If you're working out that hard 3 times a day/6 days a week - I would give my body a full day off. No light cardio - nothing. You may be able to pull this off right now, but it won't take long before your body starts to give out on you. Rest. I know it seems counter productive, but it isn't.

I used to workout 7 days a week for 60mins or so each time. It took a couple months and I started noticing weird aches and pains. Then I started having trouble with my hip - next thing I knew? I had a stress fracture in my hip and was out of the gym for 6 weeks.

Over training doesn't have any benefits to it. So, please be careful.

EatClenTrenHard

Work hard for 5-6 days

Rest for 1 day. Do not diet that day. Eat your full calorie expenditure that day with the most nutritious food you can find.