Use common sense! When your body is not responding to the workout or you can feel yourself getting sick, work out less. Schedule at least one or two rest days per week. Resting might mean no exercise at all, or active recovery like yoga or a walk. Rest days should give you the feeling that you’re storing up energy.
Fatigue and injury occur when you don't allow your body to recover from harder workouts. As you push through intense workouts, your muscles develop small tears. Those muscles heal during rest and grow back stronger! With a balance between intense exercise and recovery, your body will become a machine that can power through your hardest workouts with less recovery time.
Incorporate a variety of activities into your exercise program. Participating in triathlon is a great way to cross train but if there is one thing you really enjoy, consider mixing it up. You can play with speed or inclines on a treadmill, change the route that you walk or cycle or even find a new class or group to meet. As you vary your routine, you will help prevent injury, improve fitness gains, and stay motivated to keep going. Trying different workouts can help push you over a plateau and help you ignite the fire that got you started on your fitness journey.
Don’t do too much, too soon. When motivation is high, it can be easy to slip into the "all or nothing" approach. Participating in a routine without preparing your body can be a recipe for disaster, starting with extremely sore muscles. Instead, gradually add time and frequency to your workouts to allow for recovery.
Take care of yourself. Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and stay hydrated to make sure that you are providing a foundation for your body to grow stronger. Allow yourself flexibility so that you don't feel discouraged when "life happens". Fitness is meant to make you feel good, not guilty. A healthy lifestyle will domino from a fit body, to a healthy mind, to stronger relationships.
Exercise should make you feel refreshed and energized—not exhausted. If it’s causing fatigue, soreness, or a feeling of utter dread, listen to your body! It may be time to make a change.
