Signs of overtraining

[ironwings]

I have definitely had concrete symptoms of overtraining in the past and rest did wonders. I remember having a hard time admitting that overtraining was the cause and perhaps that is what is going on now (denial!). How do you ladies know you are overtraining? How do you differient it from stress and anxiety? The central nervous system can be broken down in so many ways and both stress/anxiety and overtraining cause this. I'm having a hard time knowing the difference. Ideally I would recognize overtraining immediately and correct with rest rather than being uncertain. I know, I know. Rest anyway - it does wonders for both Sadistic here. I plan on taking a two week "rest" starting this upcoming week. But, I'd like to know your experiences with this and how you knew. I tend to go ridiculously hard in the gym so I am learning to listen to my body more - I'd like to keep it for a very long time!

 

[localgirl]

Im interested to see what people have to say here.
I have a tendency to train & train harder- and I KNOW Ive overtrained, but refuse ( DENIAL) to slow it down...definately something im trying to work on here.
Like the 3 weeks moderate weights & 1 week HEAVY- before I would go heavy ALLLLL month long and be exhausted..with little to no growth.

 

[the_alcatraz]

hitting a plateau can be a sign of overtraining

having a perfect diet and enough rest and still not making progress

aching joints

 

[Tatyana]

Feel grumpy, difficulty sleeping even though you are tired.

I haven't been lifting more than four days a week, and often I am only doing two working sets max, now with doggcrapp, it will be one working set.

I have been doing LESS with weights, just intense, and I have piled on more size this year than the past three.

 

[Thandie]

I'm from the same school. I'm always in denial. I want to keep on training and the only way I stop is when I'm seriously over tired. Usualy I feel achy, especially on my legs. I get this dull ache that it doesn't go away. I can fall sleep within seconds also is a sign for me. No progress, even if diet is good. I feel flat and look shity.

 

[ironwings]

Good stuff - keep it coming, I need to soak this all in. My intensity has increased two fold the past 2 months. I have had a good muscle base for about a year now (gained 15lbs in 3 months this time last year without my size changing - just lean muscle mass and lower bf). Now though I have more cuts and striations then ever before, with less weight - all in the intensity and programming. I know some of my symptoms are from anxiety but with my increased intensity I am a little worried I have overdone it. This go round I am going to take 2 weeks off (starting next week of course) and just do complexes and cardio. Next time though, I want to catch it head on and nip it in the bud.

Tat - love doggcrapp, that might be on the list for me first of the year!

 

[Thandie]

Good stuff - keep it coming, I need to soak this all in. My intensity has increased two fold the past 2 months. I have had a good muscle base for about a year now (gained 15lbs in 3 months this time last year without my size changing - just lean muscle mass and lower bf). Now though I have more cuts and striations then ever before, with less weight - all in the intensity and programming. I know some of my symptoms are from anxiety but with my increased intensity I am a little worried I have overdone it. This go round I am going to take 2 weeks off (starting next week of course) and just do complexes and cardio. Next time though, I want to catch it head on and nip it in the bud.

Tat - love doggcrapp, that might be on the list for me first of the year!

It looks like you've made great progress. What was your routine, if I may ask? I'm also doing DC program(as many people are), but I'm not sure yet if it's for me..

 

[Tatyana]

You have to be well rested for doggcrapp.

The idea is that your lifts should go up.

My bench has been stuck on 60 kg/135 lbs for about 6 months.

I really think if you are not progressively increasing the weight you are training with, you are not putting on muscle.

I think this is a good way to judge that you are well-rested and not overtraining, you will be increasing the amounts you are lifting (even if it is just a little bit) and feeling really strong.

 

[ironwings]

Lots of people have asked me so I think I'll start a journal thread and share my workouts as they change. I'm a wellness coach so I use my gym time as experimentation. I do a lot of things I don't even have a name for! I'll make time later this week and post what I've been doing for the last 5 weeks. I'm not doing doggcrapp - my bf is and I really like the style but I also like what I'm doing now and my progress. I think I might give it a whirl though first of the year. Right now I'm watching and learning!

 

[ironwings]

I know what you mean about the legs. I don't seem to have that this time (at least not all the time) that is why I am questioning how I feel because I knew that was a sign for me too. I used to teach a latin dance class one evening a week after being with clients all day and I blamed the tired legs on that! I said it was the footwork ;-) I argued with my bf for days over this. It was simply overtraining.