Watch for "Burnout"

We've all experienced those days where our body just says "I'm pooped" or "I can't put everything into this workout". That's ok if it happens every so often, because it's totally possible. But it's when it happens consistently, workout after workout that you need to step back for a second and think - why is my energy level down?

Sometimes it's something simple; something you ate prior to the workout, maybe a poor night sleep the night before... Maybe you're still a bit sore or tired from last workout. The odd time though, we run into a re-occurring decline in energy, often accompanied by a lack or loss of focus. This may be a sign to look a little deeper to find the source of the problem. Working too much, late nights, poor nutrition, inadequate recovery periods between workouts etc...

Always try to find the source or root of the problem so that the solution can have lasting affects.

Listen to your body - part 2

Going along with the concept of "listen to your body", I am experiencing this very aspect right now at this point in my soccer training. I am just heading into my next phase this week and after my weekend indoor tournament in Peterborough, I was experiencing some "tightness" and minor swelling in my left knee. This scares the heck out of me, because I have never had knee issues. Although I have experienced this a bit over the past year, this was the tightest it has been (when I got home from my third game of the weekend).

Rather than just leave it though, I wanted to get at it immediately to ensure I can carry on to be ready 100% by the season opener. So I checked with our physio/my client, Liz at work and she quickly assessed it for me. I learned I have some tightness in my left patella (knee cap) and minor swelling. So she was able to recommend the proper steps to ensure it goes away and gets better - rather than worse.

Yes it's a benefit I have compared to others to have a physio right here at work, but it doesn't mean YOU shouldn't contact a physio or athletic therapist immediately if you feel something out of the ordinary. You may end up saving money by catching it sooner and having less sessions than you would waiting and having to do more therapy later.

Sickness - Listen to your body

I have a number of clients who are sick right now. I also have heard of a number of other clients from other trainers who are sick too! It's going around right now.
This is one of the best times to learn how to listen to your body. Use your common sense - that's the best and easiest way. If you have something other than the common cold or flu such as; strep throat, bronchitis etc... It's probably best to cancel your training session/regular workout routine. At the very most, get out for a nice walk but by all means keep the intensity low. If you workout with sicknesses such as those, at full intensity, you're only going to make it worse. Your body has to take that energy it needs to fight the sickness and put it towards your workout; meaning you're going to be sick even longer!

If you have the common cold or flu, you be the judge. My opinion is that 90% of the time, the workout intensity should be lowered to allow the immune system to keep fighting.

Parents out there - same rule applies to your kids. If they're sick, don't make them come to their training session. Help them learn that rest is just as important to overall health, as fitness is.

Spring has officially arrived!

Spring really is here now! Fantastic weather in the Quinte region. Get outside - Start the yard work, go for walks, get the frisbee out with the kids... Enjoy!

Those days....

Today was 'one of those days' where you just don't want to get out of bed. My body was just pooped from a long 14 hr day at work yesterday.

But doing my soccer conditioning program, has brought me back to the dedication I showed when I lost a lot of weight going into high school. JUST DO IT! Although you need to listen to your body, I knew that I needed to get up and do it in order to 're-energize'.

Sure enough, once that fresh air filled my lungs as I headed out to the park for my warm up, I got into it. MP3 pumping out the tunes, beautiful spring morning... just me and my mind. It was great.

I do still feel a bit tired now, but a good tired - not a "I'm completely drained tired" like after work yesterday. So tonight I'll hit the bed a bit early, and allow my body to catch up and be ready for my workout tomorrow! :o)

Take a break

Don't forget to take a break. Our body not only needs activity and healthy eating, but we also need to relax and re-energize our body.

Mentally we need to take a break and just do something for ourselves sometimes. Sit back and watch your favorite sport on TV, read a good book, lie down and listen to a relaxation CD... Do anything that you want to do, that does not involve work. Take a break from everything else.

Physically we need that break in order to see improvement in our body. I have run into some people (clients), who believe that the more you do the better. To a point this is true, however it doesn't mean going all out, every day of every week. Our body actually does not improve anything unless we rest. So give your body time to do so. It's not a bad thing...