It’s true, we usually tell you it’s your mind that must take control over your body. But there are times when your body knows what’s best. And it may even need your help. To keep you clued up and aware of what to look out for, here are 6 things your body could be trying to tell you and how to spot the signs.
“I need rest”
When it comes to sufficient rest, your body knows best. And although it will send you signals, many either choose to ignore them or just can’t read the signs. However we do know the signs and we know that it’s important you do too. So here’s what to look out for:
- Irregular sleeping patterns: Did you used to sleep like a rock, now it’s impossible to get a good night’s sleep?
- Finding workouts much harder than before? Times getting worse even if you’re training harder?
- Changes in your appetite.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time you took a break and let your body regenerate.
“Get new sneakers”
Shin splints, pains in your joints and muscle fatigue in the legs are all signs that the relationship between your body and your running shoes has come to an end. The worst thing you can do is train through the pain. Take a break and get a new pair of training shoes.
What do you need to consider when buying your new sneakers? Find out here.
“More protein please”
If you don’t yet know the importance of protein, it’s time to read up. To summarize, it’s a macronutrient that works as the building block of muscle tissue. Since your body relies on sufficient protein to help recover after a tough workout, there are some signs you need to be aware of if you’re running low:
- It takes you a long time to recover after training and you suffer from extra bad muscle pain.
- You often feel weak and tired.
- You are more hungry than usual, even if you’ve just eaten 2 hours ago.
- Wounds or bruises are slow to heal.
“Ok, too much protein”
While it’s of course important to increase your protein intake, it’s also important you don’t go overboard. Excess protein puts your kidneys under extra strain, which can result in kidney problems. Again your body will know when this happens and it will try to tell you. Here’s what to look out for:
- Dehydration or you are extremely thirsty compared to usual.
- Unexplained weight gain- caused by excess calories from excess protein stored as body fat.
- Changes in your skin and in bad cases, acne.
Getting the balance is right and you might want to consider sticking to natural sources of protein if your body starts giving you these signals.
“Drink more water”
It’s not rocket science to know when you are thirsty. And when you are, you just grab a glass of water right? It’s one thing being thirsty, it’s another being dehydrated. As an athlete, you require more water than others due to higher metabolic activity and loss of fluid through sweating. Dehydration can be extremely dangerous, so it’s important to spot the signs before it goes too far:
- Joint pain in your spine.
- Loss of strength.
- You feel sleepy or dizzy.
- An increase in hunger.
These signals don’t always necessarily mean dehydration but to be on the safe side, make sure you’re filling your body with enough water for it to function and perform at it’s best. Here’s how to make your water even more appealing.
“Try something different”
If the following signals sound familiar, chances are your body’s looking for a new challenge:
- The word “easy” springs to mind when you think about doing an aphrodite
- You’re not seeing results from your training anymore
- You don’t feel the same high after your workout
Unlike dehydration, it’s not totally necessary and won’t have a bad effect on your health. However a bit of variety won’t hurt anyone. If you’re a runner, try bodyweight. If you’re a gym-goer, try running. If you’re into bodyweight, try weight lifting. Your body wants a challenge. Give it one.
Now you know the lingo, you can’t ignore your body anymore. It wants to perform as well as you do. Take a break from time to time, update your training gear, stay hydrated, find the right protein balance and every now and again mix up your training routine. A healthy, happy and regenerated body equals a great performance and even better results.
