We live in a world that convinces us that more is better. But is that really true? No, not always. Even good things can be too much when moderation isn't practiced. In the fitness world we call too much of a good thing, overtraining. Overtraining can be even worse than not training at all. Especially if the type of fitness you do is HIIT, high intensity interval training.
HIIT is a training technique in which you give all-out, one hundred percent effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by short, sometimes active, recovery periods. Most workouts are less than 30 minutes. I hear athletes say "I'm going to go for a 3-mile run after my workout because I need to lose this weight!" WRONG. If you are looking to lose more fat take a long, hard look at your nutrition! A topic for another day...
Consequences of Overtraining:
1. Injuries: If you are not allowing your body adequate time to rest and heal you are more susceptible to aches, pain and tweaks.
2. Stress: Increasing your stress hormone levels through overtraining will actually hinder your weight loss.
2. Burnout. Mentality you're going to get tired, making it more likely that you will eventually quit your fitness routine all together. The last thing you want is to lose your motivation!
Solution:
1. Quality over Quantity: Instead of going for a run after your workout try increasing your intensity during your workout. Push hard, move faster, lift heavier. Perform HIIT as it was intended and reap the benefits!
2. Mobility: If you still feel like you need something more try adding extra stretching or a yoga class to your daily routine. This will actually add to your recovery, aid in preventing injury and benefit your workouts.
Be patient, trust the process and be consistent. Results will come!