By Justin Donner

Sports Editor

With the beginning of the new semester many of us have outlined ambitious fitness goals and are sprinting full steam ahead to accomplish them.

The old adage “quality over quantity” may be more important in this case than some think.

American Fitness defines overtraining as being, “a state of burnout as a result of the combined negative emotional, behavioral and physical symptoms that occur as a result of persistent training without proper recovery.” The amount of recovery time needed per person is going to vary, but the key is to listen to your body. A few common signs of overtraining are halted progress, decreased motivation and self-esteem, loss of concentration, insomnia, personality changes and even depression. Another thing to look for is prolonged muscle soreness. Being sore for a couple of days after a workout is expected, but prolonged soreness could be a sign that your body is not being given enough time to recover.

It is essential to realize that days off are as important to personal growth as the days spent training. Some other ways to help prevent overtraining include fueling your body with nutritious meals before and after workouts, staying hydrated and getting a good amount of sleep each night. Personal trainers are a great option to help you develop both a fitness and recovery plan.

The Clarke here on campus offers certified personal trainers. Working with these trainers comes at a small cost, but it is a great investment that will offer you both a personalized plan and a great learning experience. They also offer discounts for groups of friends wanting to get fit together.

Developing a proper plan for yourself with ample recovery time is a key component of staying motivated and ensuring that you reach your fitness goals this semester.

Visit the CSUSM Clarke personal training page here http://www.csusm.edu/theclarke/clarkept/index.html