If you’re sweating it out in the gym on the regular for the sole purpose of being able to fit in one more mince pie this December, you might want to rethink your tactics now.
Believe it or not, too much exercise will actually make you put on weight, and tbh, that’s not the worst news we could hear today.
It’s all down to ‘burning out’, apparently: too much exercise, and you’ll stop being able to train properly, which in turn will affect your body’s ability to burn fat. Personal trainer and injury-prevention specialist Liz Letchford told Popsugar: ‘Exercising at a high intensity for an extended period of time, especially in addition to the stress of work, life, relationships, and body image, can throw you into adrenal fatigue.
‘Your body essentially has exhausted its capacity to fight, but you continue to put it in ‘fight or flight’ mode by exercising — especially high-intensity, long-duration exercise. This throws your hormones out of balance, causing fatigue, poor performance, fogginess, and weight gain — especially around your middle.’
If this revelation has left you wondering if you’re affected, some signs of adrenal fatigue include constant tiredness, trouble focusing, and slow recovery time – however, it’s always best to seek a doctor’s advice if you’re struggling with these symptoms or are worried about exercise.
Letchford says that ‘more is not better’ when it comes to your workout – and instead, advises that those who are training to lose weight should ‘choose a routine that supports your goals…Stick to long-duration/low-intensity, or short-duration/high-intensity’.
And the ultimate gym sin? Exercising twice a day (yeah…I mean, I totally do that…). Letchford told Popsugar that rest days are important to give your body a chance to recover; without them, you could throw your hormones out of whack.
That’s not to say exercise shouldn’t still be incorporated into your routine – even if it’s just a gentle walk. As with everything, balance is key.
