Have you ever been in a groove with a new fitness routine, feeling fabulous and working hard, only to be hit with quads that are killing you, or knees that don’t feel quite right?
You’re not alone! Over-working your muscles is not uncommon or the worst thing in the world, but it’s important to know when to give your body a break or you may end up with some serious issues.
You need to rest and recover to truly benefit from all your hard work. Exercising creates micro-tears in your muscles that are then repaired – making your muscles stronger. If you don’t allow recovery time, you’ll end up doing more harm than good in the long run.
If you’re constantly feeling sore, fatigued, or moody, you may be overtraining. An abnormal heart rate, stiffness in your body, or dark urine are also signs of overdoing your workouts.
Stretching after exercise, hydrating, and allowing yourself to get some rest are the best ways to avoid injury.
If a good cool down and some h20 doesn’t do the trick after a particularly strenuous routine, it’s best to take a day or two off to allow your muscles to recover.
