What is your relationship with exercise? Do you work out every day and miss social engagements because you’re so obsessed…er… dedicated? Do you often exert yourself to the point of injury? If this sounds like you, you may be overdoing it and doing more harm than good.
Why is this? For one, your muscles need to heal after a workout. Without a recovery period, you’re stressing them, which may actually result in less strengthening and toning. Take a day off after an intense workout and you may actually notice your arms are more toned than if you go on a workout frenzy.
Another important point to consider is your energy level. Too much exercise can wipe you out and cause your body to burn fewer calories at rest. Put another way, you need energy to burn calories!
The reality is to gain the most from exercise, you only need to go full force 3-4 times a week. On other days you can do other low-impact activities like yoga or stretching for a full body workout. But as a general rule, remember: more isn’t always better with physical activity.