We all know the common gym phrase, “no pain, no gain.” While feeling the burn is typically a strong indicator that you are activating and strengthening those muscles, there is a point in which that pain is detrimental. Instead of getting stronger and leaner, too much stress on the body can make you gain weight, feel exhaustion, and worsen your mood. If you find yourself doing any of the following habits, your workout routine might actually be hurting your health.
Skipping A Full Night’s Sleep To Workout
Many people commit the mistake of cutting their recommended 7-8 hours of sleep in order to get in a workout. If you often force your aching body out of bed because you feel the need to workout, your health can be taking a serious toll. Sleep is essential for achieving literally every fitness goal, whether it be gain muscle, lose weight, feel energized, you name it.
In addition to enhancing muscle recovery, sleep helps to reduce your stress levels and balances the hormones that cause food cravings and hunger. Meaning, that workout you swapped for sleep could leave you cranky, exhausted, and consuming more food than normal.
Not sure if you are getting enough sleep? If you find you constantly are sipping back coffee, pre-workout, or energy drinks to make it through the day (or workout), that’s a serious red flag. Try cutting back on the caffeine and getting some sleep instead to feel the difference!
Hitting The Gym When You’re Sick
Getting sick can feel like a serious setback to achieving your fitness goals. It might seem like a smart choice to stick to your schedule and pop back some pills to push through a workout, but this can make your health even worse and recovery time longer. Not only that, but you are likely to infect others at the gym. Not cool!
Being sick is an opportunity to give yourself proper TLC and rest to get better, so you come back stronger than ever. If you feel the need to get some exercise in, you can implement walks into your day for some light cardio.
Following Fitness Accounts That Affect Your Mental Health
Following fit instagram accounts can be a great way to get daily motivation, recipes, and workouts. However, it often comes at a price. Scrolling through account after account of individuals with perfect bodies who dedicate their lives to training has been proven to change the way we view our own bodies. Women who viewed fitness accounts 30 minutes a day were more likely to view themselves as an object, and in turn more prone to depression, eating disorders, and guilt for not working out.
There’s a fine line between motivation and comparison. To better combat the negative mental health effects from following fitness accounts, you should ask yourself: Is this account inspiring me? Is this content valuable or informative for me? Do I feel better or worse after viewing this account? If the answers are negative, unfollowing is a wise decision. You’ll feel free from the pressure and better able to focus on your own health and happiness.
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