SilverTest

I agree, although I do think it is possible for someone to overtrain so utterly excessively that they would experience symptoms of overtraining that are so severe that they would be destructive to the quality of life.

The fact that the OP mentioned he would train so hard that he would puke and faint many times in the gym (keywords: many times) is a strong indication that that was probably not the ONLY indicator of overtraining he was engaging in at the time. Sounds to me like he was really going overboard to the extreme. I’ve puked in the gym before, but I can remember all of about 3 or 4 times. I’ve never fainted but i’ve come pretty close (seeing colors and feeling very light headed) but these were once again only a handful of moments that I can remember. The OP sounds like this was a regular basis effect of his unprecedented overtraining behavior.

It is also possible this individual may be more sensitive to the risks of overtraining than most other individuals, either perhaps because of his genetic and individual predisposition, or because he may have some underlying health condition that would worsen the condition of overtraining.

The fact is, overtraining is a highly ignored and overlooked factor of weight training. Most of the time people don’t even notice or know they’re over training. Other times it can suddenly hit you like a brick wall when you notice one day something is wrong with your nervous system, you are lethargic all the time no matter how much sleep you get, weights feel heavier and heavier in the gym, sexual function is totally shot, you’ve got immense brain fog and can’t think, you fall into a depression, etc. It happens all the time to people who don’t know what they’re doing in the gym.

Fact of the matter is that most people train hard enough in the gym. Their problem is they do too much volume and train too frequently – so much so that the amount of damage occurring to the muscles is occuring at a far greater rate than the body can repair it (let alone grow new muscle on top of it). Combine that with shitty rest and poor nutritional habits, and you’re going to fail at your physique aspirations and destroy your body while you’re at it. The fact of the matter is that the body requires far less volume and frequency than most of us have been led to believe in the past.

Oh, and lets not forget damage to the CNS (Central Nervous System). NOBODY EVER CONSIDERS THIS. Everyone always thinks muscles, muscles, muscles! Nobody thinks "what about the amount of stress i’m placing on my nervous system? What about the massive amount of neurotoxicity i’m creating with these immense and painful lifts and sets?". Do you realize how heavily your neurons are firing and releasing LIMITED stores of neurotransmitters when you’re engaging in those very intense and painful sets? The amount of strain you’re placing on your nerve cells? And the immense amount of neurotransmitter activity in the synapses?The nervous system DOES NOT heal anywhere near as quickly or as efficiently as muscle tissue does. This is why you end up with symptoms like headaches, depression, impaired sexual function, brain fog, etc. when overtraining really begins to take a toll.

Working out and TrueMaxding is not just about the muscles. It’s also about the nervous system, and NOBODY ever thinks of their CNS recovery. It’s allllways about the muscles…

Yes but he was having this problem when he was in shape.

I’m right where you are except I’m not 26 lol. I’m 42 and took about 9 or 10 yrs off. I estimated my BF was close to 30% in my intro but I think that’s too high. I dont have any way to check it but it’s all in my gut and spare tire area. Chart for my age and fitness level says by weight it’s 28% but I have a bigger chest and arms than the typical doughboy who never worked out in his life which is what the charts are for. They don’t take into account athletic builds. If that were the case all TrueMaxders are morbidly obese.

Anyways, I started back up by getting my diet back to where it needs to be and walking more, riding my bike and using the two 40lb dumbbells I have had for as long as I can remember to do what I can at home. Like said in an earlier post your body will tell you when you’re ready for more. When I feel that I will start going to the gym again and doing light workouts for 30-45 min, maybe 15 min of cardio. Go from there. Your body will let you know. That;s working for me ATM and this isn’t the first time I have taken a break fromthe gym – just the first time I let it go for years on end and actually got to feeling out of shape. GL.

BTW as anybody who has worked out for a long time probably knows it is amazing what one can do with a couple of dumbbells and nothing else.

Just do it until you start feeling better. Once you’re walking for 2 weeks, try to run for a few minutes, then longer, and so on.Get your endurance back up and thhen slowly start moving over to the weight section. Just pace yourself, your body will tell you when you’re ready, and if you attempt something and you feel it’s too much or too early… back off.

Good luck fella, I’ve been there too, it’s not eassy getting back.