(NaturalNews) It’s actually a fine line between peak-training and over-training. In our keen efforts to achieve optimal fitness or build that lean, muscular physique, our diligent training can sometimes create more harm than good. Here’s why:
What are the symptoms of over-training?
* Tiredness, bordering on apathy
* Chronic fatigue
* Insomnia
* Injuries that do not heal
* Loss of lean muscle tissue
* Frequent colds and infections, due to a lowered immune system
* Biochemical depression
* Craving stimulants caffeine and sugars
* Having a tough time getting started in the morning
* Muscle cramps, due to mineral deficiencies
* Feeling ‘brain-dead’
How can we prevent overtraining?
There is a common misconception that stress is bad for us, but the truth is in some instances it can be quite enjoyable, even addictive. For example, a cup of coffee with sugar is actually a biochemical stress; driving a car in traffic is a stress; work, family, relationships and bungee-jumping are also common sources of stress that we might face in our daily lives. In order for our mind/body system to function effectively, it actually needs some type of stress to get it going.
Stress stimulates our adrenal glands (those responsible for the fight/flight responses) to release very powerful hormones called ‘adrenaline’ and ‘cortisol’ to help our body deal with the incoming stress. These hormones are so powerful that they affect not only our whole physiology, but our moods, energy levels, behaviour and general well-being.
What does stress have to do with our training?
According to neurologist Professor Paul MacLean, our human brain is actually a ‘triune’ brain that is comprised of three distinct sections, see ((http://www.ezls.fb12.uni-siegen.de/mkro...) .
Reptilian brain: controls muscles, balance and autonomic functions such as breathing and heartbeat. This part of the brain remains active, even during deep sleep.
Limbic brain: is concerned with our emotions and instincts, as well as digestion, elimination, fight/flight response and sexual behaviour. This emotional system responds according to what is ‘agreeable’ or ‘disagreeable’ to us. This is the level where we are consciously and unconsciously avoiding pain and seeking pleasure.
Cerebral Cortex: is the logical, rational thinking part of the brain. The place where our ego/identity resides and the part of our brain that feels safe when it is in control of situations.
According to Professor MacLean’s research, the interaction between the three parts of our brain are as follows: the cerebral cortex has no influence or control on the primitive brain, but the primitive parts (limbic and reptilian) hijack the thinking brain during times of stress. This explains why people often become irrational, forgetful, spacey or highly emotional when under stress.
Overtraining will add stress on top of stress
If we are already challenged with the amount of stress in our life (whether work-related, study, exams, promotion, relationships or finances) our reptilian/limbic parts of the brain are activated by the stress hormones which, in turn, activate our survival programs to help us deal with it.
As we’ve mentioned, the primitive brain does not respond to the commands from the rational thinking brain; instead, the limbic/reptilian survival centres take their instructions from the adrenaline pumping through our system. And since our reptilian brain controls muscles and movement but is incapable of rational thinking, it is also unable to distinguish the difference between running away from a lion, running away from an executive boss, a deadline, or running on a treadmill; all it knows is that it is running for survival.
This explains how too many high-intensity workouts can push us into the over-training zone, particularly if our body is already challenged and stressed due to other areas in our life.
Over-training ties into the fact that hormones work in pairs. When adrenaline is released in response to stress, the even more powerful hormone, cortisol, is also released into our bloodstream. Excess cortisol stimulates glucose production and simultaneously catabolizes (breaks down) lean muscle tissue for energy. This is obviously not a good outcome for anyone on a fat loss program or for someone trying to build lean muscle tissue.
Putting it all into action
Having health and fitness goals are helpful, as long as the goals are not so rigid that they override our inner instincts or our biorhythms, to push us into over-training mode.
Our bodies do not speak the language of verbs and nouns like we do; instead, communication occurs through symptoms. For example, low energy levels, aches and pains are our body’s way of telling us to ease off, rest and recuperate.
It is a fine line between optimal training and overtraining, and only your body knows where that line is. Be sure to listen when it’s trying to tell you you’ve overstepped the mark and need to back off. After all, when it comes to over-training, pain has no gain.
About the authorTeya Skae M.A., B.A.,Dip Health Sciences, Dip Clinical Nutrition
Kinesiologist/Nutritionist/Writer
Health/Life Coach and Educator
Teya is the founder of Empowered Living
www.empowered-living.com.au
specialising in Neurologically Balancing busy people for chronic fatigue, corporate burnout, physical/emotional stress, Emotional Freedom Technique to resolve energy blocks, Metabolic Typing Nutrition and Results Fat Loss. Teya writes article for various publications and runs empowering educational courses in the area of balancing your health, physical body,emotions, and how to have more energy to enjoy your Life!
Related Articles
• FDA's Assault of Bioidentical Hormones Demonstrates Pro-Pharma Loyalties, Disregard for Consumer Choice
• DHEA for weight loss: miracle drug or unproven experiment?
• FDA Bans Hormone Produced by Human Body as "Unapproved" Drug
• The hidden dangers of caffeine: How coffee causes exhaustion, fatigue and addiction
• Artificial hormones in U.S. beef linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer
 |
Additional Resources:
hormones
cortisol
the brain
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/022596.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
Adderall vs. Meth
Honeybees Go on Strike
The Plan for the Food Supply
|
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|
Printable Version
