How much is too much?

[Jordan89]

Gday guys,

I like to do a workout once a day (in the evening), training different part of my body...

A few people i work with go for a cycle every second morning which goes for an hour.

I would like to join them, but is that just too much? ive also heard that any exercise over 45mins releases a stresst pheromone which eats away muscle tissue.

What do you guys think

 

[DLC68]

I like to do a workout once a day (in the evening), training different part of my body...

No problem with this as long as the muscles your worked previously are allowed at least 48 hours to rest.

A few people i work with go for a cycle every second morning which goes for an hour. I would like to join them, but is that just too much?

I say go for it BUT understand that this "will" effect your weight lifting results. How much it will effect you will need to find out for yourself. Just make sure you are replenishing your carbohydrates and protein to help compensate for this. AND you need to watch for over-training signs. I will provide information below.

ive also heard that any exercise over 45mins releases a stresst pheromone which eats away muscle tissue.

This is Cortisol. From my years of research I have accumulated a lot of information that I keep on hand. Here is an article that better explains this and how to compensate.

After the onset of high-intensity training exercise the body pumps out cortisol which breaks down protein into their constituent amino acids and routes them to the liver for conversion to glucose. The longer the workout, the more cortisol is pumped in and the more protein is destroyed. This causes a "catabolic state" as the largest supply of protein lies in the muscles so that is where the cortisol goes first.

Research by Costill and Nieman et al., has shown that one hour of intense strength training will increase the protein stores in our immune and skeletal systems, but that any further training will only begin to deplete these stores.

Overtraining can force the body into a weakened physical state, which, at best can produce a cold or the flu and, at worst, can tear muscles ligaments, and tendons once these body parts lose their structural integrity protein loss. The culprit is a built-in "survival" drug hormone called cortisol. Immediately following a high intensity effort, the body pumps out this hormone whose function is simple: It carries off the proteins to the liver, where they are converted into glucose, for energy use in the body.

Why does this weaken our defense mechanisms? Because all our immune systems are based on proteins, and the influx of control in our biological mix steals the proteins that make up our immune system.

Nieman, a researcher at Loma Linda University found that athletes who train twice as intensely as normally prescribed will wind up with twice as many colds, and viruses. Nieman investigated the athletes for cortisol. He found that astonishingly, after only ONE grueling strength training session, their bodies revealed a 60% increase in cortisol production.

Among the first proteins to go were the T-cells that make up our front line of defense against viruses. This watchdog system was depleted by more than 30 percent. However, this shortfall lasted only 6-8 hrs.
So you're probably thinking "What's the big deal? Is putting your body at risk for only 6-8 hours such a high price to pay?"

Well, Nieman and other researchers found that after a few days of such exercising, the "at risk" time became longer and longer, until the T-cells stopped rejuvenation.

In addition, the body's first line of defense against bacteria and viruses an antibody known as IgA, which is found in the saliva, was reduced to nearly non-protective levels.

The conclusion of the researchers was that athletes can overtrain themselves into illness.

Thus the logical conclusion would be that high intensity strength training should be limited to one hour or less to restrict the amount of protein destruction.

Other ways to reduce the risk of overtraining:

• Emphasize carbohydrates: make them 60-70% of your total diet.

• Take carbohydrates two hours prior to exercising and immediately following exercise. Research has shown that your fatigued muscles seem most responsive to energy storage within the first 30 minutes following your workout. There is a lesser response for the next 10 hours.

• Take protein one to two hours before and immediately following exercise. Again I use regular food, but I see no problem with supplementation to save time (at the expense of more money however). Research has also shown your body to be more receptive to protein immediately following a workout.

• Continue eating high carbohydrate foods every 2 hours during the first 4 to 6 hours after hard training. During the first 6 hours post-exercise, simple sugars appear to replace muscle glycogen better than complex carbohydrates.

• Post-exercise muscle glycogen storage can be enhanced with a combination carbohydrate-protein supplement as a result of the interaction of carbohydrate and protein on insulin secretion. The addition of protein with carbohydrates can allow for a more rapid return recovery.

• Drink a rehydration beverage during and after exercise, for example, Gatorade.

• Take periodic layoffs.

• Use the best "miracle supplement" there is - WATER. You can't "overdose" on water. The worst side effect you can get as mentioned previously, is a few more trips to the washroom. Your body functions optimally when it is fully hydrated. A general recommendation is to consume at least 128 ounces (one gallon) of water a day. During hot weather you should double or triple this amount.

• LEAVE YOUR WORKOUT IN THE GYM. Give your undivided attention to your training when you're in the gym. But when you're outside the gym, cast your attention to other things in life. Establish your other priorities, set goals, and keep busy. There are many athletes who fall into the trap of letting their mind continually dwell on training. Train hard when you're in the gym, but try and relax more when you're not. Stress has been shown to increase levels of CORTISOL in the body - the catabolic hormone, so try to find ways to manage stress in your life and relax, and your results will be improved.

Here are some guidelines that can help you get better results from your training:

1. Get 10 hours sleep each night if you are a teenager.
2. Get 9 hours sleep a night if your are an adult.
3. Schedule a 15-minute nap during the middle of the afternoon (if possible).
4. Do NOT do any type of vigorous activity on the days you are not training.
5. Take a 10-day layoff after each period of six months of steady training.