It isn’t unusual to occasionally want to skip a workout but if you are the kind who generally lives, breathes and sleeps the gym life, then all of a sudden become disinterested, you may be very guilty of overexerting yourself. So instead of going to the gym and possibly risking injury by performing incorrect range of motion/form, my advice is to take a week off from the gym. You have absolutely nothing to lose and many benefits.
When you resume training, reduce your volume, be sure to get adequate and quality sleep, let’s say about six to nine hours per night and proper nutrition - including smart supplementation is a must, especially in the pre to post workout window. Exercise is typically great for your mental health but if you’re in the habit of over-training, chances are it would have the opposite effect. I have observed that folks who over-train tend to view exercise as something it’s NOT - namely a challenge, a conquest or a void-filler. They may even have self esteem issues where body image is concerned and think the more they do, the better they look. It is therefore extremely important to know the real motives behind training. I suggest that you set goals and stick to them.
Note each workout carries its share of damaged muscle tissues, this is necessary as the body rebuilds and repairs itself for the next routine. After exercise, a recovery period is essential to muscle and tissue repair and strength building. This becomes more critical, especially after a heavy weight training session. Muscles require anywhere between 24 to 48 hours to repair and rebuild so working too soon after a session, simply leads to tissue break down instead of building.
Some people rock their shoulders back in the most innocent way and are proud to say, “I work out seven days a week.” Well, you are seriously doing yourself a disservice. Recovery is a very important aspect of your workout as it prepares your body for the grilling which means adequate rest is absolutely paramount.
The average person only needs about three to five days of exercise per week to feel great and get that fantastically looking physique. No need to drain yourself. One of the worst things you can do is over-train. YES, you can over-train! Some signs the body gives when over-training are: feeling extremely fatigued to the point where you can’t even sleep (insomnia), sore muscles for extended periods, inability to ward off illness (reduced immunity), feeling sluggish (lethargic), lack of motivation, mood changes and increased injuries. I reiterate, at least 24-48 hours rest between workout routines per week is a must.
We are all fallible beings, therefore, it is important to get our behaviour to match our intentions because that creates a brand new experience which creates brand new thoughts. What say you?
