Even if you’re not going through the same intense workout schedule as a professional athlete, you can actually overtrain if your usual activity level suddenly jumps from inactive to very active. It’s important to listen to your body. If you’re noticing that you are getting sick a lot or not able to lift as much as a week ago, you should take some time off instead of pushing through.

Remember, recovery time is your friend and an important part of any workout plan. You should respect your rest days as much as you do your gym days. Of course, for best results you should also make sure to get enough sleep and eat a well balanced diet of whole grains, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. If you’re just getting started with working out, you should see get a personal trainer to keep you on track.