In exercise training, coaches talk about the concept of over-reaching. It is the idea that sometimes we go just beyond what our current limits are in order to improve.
Over-reaching is a strategic choice with a end date and desired outcome in mind. Over-reaching has the potential to cause more harm than good.
How to Benefit from Over-Reaching
For over-reaching to make us stronger we must keep three things in mind.
If these criteria are met, there is a good chance that we will emerge from the experience stronger and more capable.
When we attempt to over-reach without a recovery plan, there is a high probability of “over-training.” Over-training is very different from over-reaching. Specifically, overtraining is compromising health and fitness due to chronically trying to do too much. When we over-do anything, we actually become less proficient at that thing and often end up broken in the process.
Recovery, it’s not just for Exercise
Even though we don’t usually call it over-reaching in everyday life, the same principle applies in many areas. Any thing that stresses us beyond our normal limits on a consistent basis has the potential to break us.
Over-stressed, over-worked, over-weight, over-tired are all conditions that begin by going a little bit too far. We don’t become over-worked by occasional over-time or over-weight by going eating too much once a year on Thanksgiving or skipping the gym a few times. It is a process.
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Over-reaching is a strategic choice with a end date and desired outcome in mind. Over-reaching has the potential to cause more harm than good.
How to Benefit from Over-Reaching
For over-reaching to make us stronger we must keep three things in mind.
- Over-reaching should only be undertaken when we are at our best physically, and emotionally. Over-reaching when tired and/or stressed is a recipe for disaster.
- After any over-reaching session, we much allow very ample recovery.
- Over-reaching is a seasoning not a main dish. It can only be used in a limited amount.
If these criteria are met, there is a good chance that we will emerge from the experience stronger and more capable.
When we attempt to over-reach without a recovery plan, there is a high probability of “over-training.” Over-training is very different from over-reaching. Specifically, overtraining is compromising health and fitness due to chronically trying to do too much. When we over-do anything, we actually become less proficient at that thing and often end up broken in the process.
Recovery, it’s not just for Exercise
Even though we don’t usually call it over-reaching in everyday life, the same principle applies in many areas. Any thing that stresses us beyond our normal limits on a consistent basis has the potential to break us.
Over-stressed, over-worked, over-weight, over-tired are all conditions that begin by going a little bit too far. We don’t become over-worked by occasional over-time or over-weight by going eating too much once a year on Thanksgiving or skipping the gym a few times. It is a process.
(Click below to read more)
To become chronically over-[insert your issue here] we must do that thing to excess over an extended period of time AND without proper recovery.
When we don’t plan down time, what was once over-reaching becomes a detriment and not a potential benefit.
During over-reaching we break ourselves down and when we give the body a chance to recover, it becomes stronger in order to be prepared if the same stress comes back again.
Sufficient time to recover completely is necessary. Full recovery equals full strength gains. Over-reaching and ample recovery need to go together.
We all over-reach. It could be in exercise, or at work or in raising children. Often, over-reaching isn’t a choice we want to make but necessity. Intended or not, if we over-reach we need to figure out how we will build our selves back up.
Recovering vs. Resting
Are we recovering? That’s the real question. Unfortunately, recovery may not feel like a necessity until we have broken ourselves. It cannot be ignored without a cost.
It’s important to remember that recovery is not necessarily the same as rest. Rest is amazing. We should get as much as we can. Complete rest is often thought of as the pinnacle of recovery but it isn’t the only way.
It’s possible to live our normal lives and still recover from bouts of stress (aka over-reaching). We can recover at the same time we work, raise a family or train for a marathon.
Recovery is simply operating at a level that allows us to shed the effects of over-reaching. Recovery doesn’t necessarily require a day lounging by the pool.
Recovery is simply doing what allows us to get back to “normal.” Maybe recovery is a vacation, maybe it is a nap, maybe it is healthier snacks. Sometimes just planning the day better or listening to some music instead of that audio book on leadership can allow us the recovery we need. Your life will offer solutions that work for you. Find them. You can start with by answering three simple questions for yourself.
Am I over-reaching?
How recovered am I?
What steps to I need to take to be at my best?
When we don’t plan down time, what was once over-reaching becomes a detriment and not a potential benefit.
During over-reaching we break ourselves down and when we give the body a chance to recover, it becomes stronger in order to be prepared if the same stress comes back again.
Sufficient time to recover completely is necessary. Full recovery equals full strength gains. Over-reaching and ample recovery need to go together.
We all over-reach. It could be in exercise, or at work or in raising children. Often, over-reaching isn’t a choice we want to make but necessity. Intended or not, if we over-reach we need to figure out how we will build our selves back up.
Recovering vs. Resting
Are we recovering? That’s the real question. Unfortunately, recovery may not feel like a necessity until we have broken ourselves. It cannot be ignored without a cost.
It’s important to remember that recovery is not necessarily the same as rest. Rest is amazing. We should get as much as we can. Complete rest is often thought of as the pinnacle of recovery but it isn’t the only way.
It’s possible to live our normal lives and still recover from bouts of stress (aka over-reaching). We can recover at the same time we work, raise a family or train for a marathon.
Recovery is simply operating at a level that allows us to shed the effects of over-reaching. Recovery doesn’t necessarily require a day lounging by the pool.
Recovery is simply doing what allows us to get back to “normal.” Maybe recovery is a vacation, maybe it is a nap, maybe it is healthier snacks. Sometimes just planning the day better or listening to some music instead of that audio book on leadership can allow us the recovery we need. Your life will offer solutions that work for you. Find them. You can start with by answering three simple questions for yourself.
Am I over-reaching?
How recovered am I?
What steps to I need to take to be at my best?
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