In today’s post, we are talking about 5 serious health problems that can come from too much exercise. Listen up! Because this could affect you!

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Now let’s talk about 5 serious health problems that can come from too much exercise.

I LOVE to exercise. Seriously I love it!  Exercising relieves stress for me and really, everyone.  It increases our dopamine levels and just makes us feel good all over.

I have done it all.  I have done Step exercises, weights, and had multiple gym memberships. I have joined groups and done power walking.  As you know I gained about 60 lbs 5 years ago.  I lost that with a program that was very effective. To check that program out click here.   I maintained that for several years using the tools I am sharing with you.  In full disclosure, I have gained back 20 lbs because of life changes and not paying attention fully to what I am eating, so I am now getting back on a program and am still in this journey with you because I feel better when I lose that extra weight.

So what are my favorite exercises?

• Kettlebells
• Piyo
• Yoga
• Pilates,
• Power Walking

At the beginning of my journey, I was exercising 7 days a week.  I would exercise 30-45 minutes at a day.  I used to do a rotation of one day intensely, then one day of cardio, another intense, and then cardio again and so on.  But, then I thought, “Wow, do I really want to rotate off and on like that?”  I was really into it.  But guess what?  I was before I knew it actually overexercising. Unbeknownst to me, I was actually hurting rather than helping myself.

What is the danger of overexercising?

When you overexercise it actually can create more stress response in your body and therefore increase your cortisol levels.  This, in turn, produces visceral fat.  This is the fat that accumulates around our middle and is the worst kind of fat for both men and women.  So you find yourself either actually gaining or maintaining and before long you find yourself with a muffin top.  Why? Because you are producing more stress hormones.

The adrenal glands are two little important glands that sit on top of the kidneys and are the ones that produce this adrenaline.  Adrenaline is actually your lifesaver hormone, we refer to it as your fight or flight hormones. You need to have that for allowing quick decisions and short bursts of energy during difficult situations. This adrenaline is in the form of cortisol which helps mobilize the stored glycogen that is converted to the liver which provides you with glucose. This, in turn, gives you that boost of readily available fuel and increases your mental ability to focus and remember things short term. But as I have said before, it can be equally damaging.

So what are the 5 serious health problems that can come from too much exercise?

#1 of the 5 serious health problems that can come from too much exercise:

Mental Fogginess

Rather than the clear-headed thinking which allows you to focus.  Overexercising can cause mental fogginess to set in, reducing our memory and our sharpness.

#2 of the 5 serious health problems that can come from too much exercise:

Weight Gain

Yup, you read that right. Here we are trying to LOSE weight and we can actually have weight GAIN instead of weight loss! Additionally, beware of burning muscle and not fat.

#3 of the 5 serious health problems that can come from too much exercise:

Can lower your libido

Of course our hormonal shifts after our libido and sometimes we can just attribute that to getting older, but what if you were actually lowering it because your exercising was too intense?

#4 of the 5 serious health problems that can come from too much exercise:

Mood Swings

Do I need to say any more about this one?  (smile)

#5 of the 5 serious health problems that can come from too much exercise:

Hot flashes and Night Sweats 

I call them power surges and they can last anywhere from one minute to 5-10 minutes.  Not fun! If you’ve ever had them, you know what I am talking about.

An additional thought to encourage you in is PLEASE protect your bones!  I already have some bone loss at 55 because of my early menopause.  I have to be extra vigilant.  Get your bone densities done, check with your OBGYN and let them know you are high risk and insurance should cover this.  Follow a good nutrition regime as I posted about before.

I remember, being so physically done and I didn’t even realize it.  One minute I had my kettlebells swinging, and the next thing I knew I was puking in the trash can.  Listen to your body.  If your exercise becomes excessive, take a step back.

Chose exercise you love.  Find a class that is fun!  Make sure it’s something you enjoy.

Here are a few programs I like.

• Beachbody, body on demand.
• 21-day fix
• 21 day fix extreme
• Walking
• Kettlebells
• A little weight bearing exercises

I suggest you workout 3-4 days a week. As you start a hormonal shift you need to pay attention to your body.  This is important because if you are not doing so you won’t realize what is happening.

And remember…

Consistency is Key!

What is it that you can do and what program works for you?  Share with me in the comments.  Do you want help figuring out the best way forward for you?  Schedule a free consultation with me by filling out the form down below. If you want a free trial of the weight loss program I love click here. 

~Susan

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