Are You Pumping Up or Pooping Out? The Perils of Exercising Too Much

By Sara Butler

The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic are huge proponents of exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. After all, the body was made to move, and if you don’t work regular exercise into your day, then joint dysfunction can arise that leads to larger problems with your health and wellness.

The American Heart Association recommends about 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, which is roughly 30 minutes five days per week. If you go all out at the gym with vigorous exercise, then you need only 75 minutes per week.

If you’re working your way up to that much movement, then that’s great -- but beware that it is possible to get too much of a good thing. You can get too much exercise if you’re going too hard after that endorphin rush. How do you know? Here are a few signs your body may be sending to let you know you’re going overboard with the exercise.

Over-Exercising

I know what you’re thinking, how can you exercise too much? It may seem like a foreign concept or something only those training for ultra-marathons are in danger of doing, but the truth of the matter is that more is not necessarily better for everyone, even when it comes to exercise.

Sure, moderate exercise 160 minutes per week instead of 150 minutes likely isn’t going to thrust you straight into the over-exercise category. It’s important to understand that the more you exercise doesn’t equate to more rewards for the effort. You could be causing yourself harm and not reaping any type of reward for the increased effort.

Red Flags of Too Much Exercise

There are several red flags your body may fly high if you’re exercising too much for your own good. Just one of these red flags on its own shouldn’t send you into a panic, but more than one may be something to discuss with your chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic to help you understand if you’re hurting yourself with too much exercise.

If you can say yes to more than one of these red flags, then it might be time to take a hard look at your exercise routine.

• Persistent muscle soreness - In most cases, some muscle soreness after exercise is a good thing because it means you’re building new muscle. But if you’re having muscle soreness that lasts more than a couple of days after your workout, then it could mean something isn’t quite right.
• Fatigue - Regular exercise is meant to give you more energy. That’s why, if you’re finding that you’re tired all the time -- even through your workouts -- you should be concerned. It may be a sign your body isn’t getting the recovery it needs.
• Insomnia - Another perk of regular exercise is that it helps you to sleep better at night. If you’re experiencing the flipside of that and having a hard time falling and remaining asleep, then it might mean that you’re not getting the amount of exercise that works for your body.
• Weakened immune system - If you’re finding yourself getting sick a lot, then you may need to slow down your exercise routine. While exercise in moderation is great for keeping your immune system in tip-top shape, over-exercising can hinder your immune system and keep it from working at its best.
• Problems with appetite - After a good workout, you may feel as if you could crush it at your local buffet. Those who over-exercise, however, may find that they don’t feel as hungry -- or they feel as if they never get full. If your appetite changes, then you may want to take a closer look at your exercise routine.

Listening to your body is key in making sure you’re staying balanced. With the help of the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic, you can strive for moderation and keep wellness at the heart of all you do.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.