It’s about the 5th most common reason that people fail out of a body for life challenge, but none is more devastating to the trainee than suffering from overtraining effect. It can take literally months to recover enough to get competitive again, and in some cases can result in other complications.

WHAT IS IT? Overtraining syndrome is REAL. And it is much more than just getting tired after a workout or a week of hard work. It is the collection of chronic physical problems that comes from a lengthy period during which the trainee exceeds the body’s ability to recover. Without adquate recovery time and nourishment, the body simply deteriorates rather than gets better. 

HOW DOES IT LOOK? The classic symptoms of overtraining include: fatigue ( I call it the “swimming in glue” feeling), non-restorative sleep or inability to sleep, muscle aches and pains that don’t go away, headaches, irritability and depression, loss of desire, depressed immune system causing constant colds and other illnesses, and even increased incidences of injuries. Other common symptoms include increased heart rate at rest, and soft tissue swelling due to water retention. Other diseases, especially auto-immune type things like fibromyalgia, or rheumatoid problems can really get fired up during an episode of overtraining as well.

WHAT CAUSES IT? In BFL trainees, the most common cause of overtraining syndrome is excessive cardio and excessive anerobic activity unrelated to the regular BFL routine. Examples? Doing cardio every day for 30 minutes or more, kick-boxing classes every other night, spinning classes in addition to cardio, PUMP classes every other night. The list of possibles is endless, but essentially the BFL routine by itself will not cause overtraining effect. Another thing that causes overtraining  to happen quicker than it otherwise would is dietary deficiency–starving yourself or eating fewer meals than necessary. In essence, being in too big a hurry to get fit again will result in overtraining syndrome.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?  It depends on how far along it has gotten before action is taken. It may be as simple as just taking a few extra days off, drinking plenty of water, and sleeping in for a few days. It may and often does require several weeks of rest from regular physical activity and increasing the diet needs, especially low glycemic carbohdydrates to help the body heal.

HOW TO AVOID IT? Do your challenge by the book. Resist the temptation to take the quick fix, or to invent your own version of Body for Life. Above all, be reasonable in the amounts and types of activity you engage in during your training times. I’m not saying you can’t go for walks or play an occasional soccer or golf game–I’m talking about other strenuous activities.

Above all, remember that the other exercises you really want to do–they’ll still be there when you finish your challenge. AND, you’ll be in shape to do them as well!