Longevity Doctor Explains How Overtraining Can Slow Down Fat Loss Pushing Harder Is Not Always Smarter

. In both cases, consistency is the key, and going to any extreme is not likely to bear the desired result.

He explained what “overtraining” actually means, how it affects the fat loss journey, and what one can do instead.

“Pushing harder is not always smarter,” noted Dr Vass. “You can't out-lift, out-run, or out-discipline your biology. If your body thinks it's under threat 24/7, it stops optimising and starts protecting.”

To understand what might go wrong, it is important to be clear about what overtraining really means. As Dr Vass explained, it does not simply mean “training a lot.”

“It's training with too much intensity or volume, without enough recovery,” defined the physician.

Cortisol is a catabolic (breakdown) hormone, explained Dr Vass. When the level of cortisol stays elevated for too long in the body, the following things take place:

There is the risk of a hormone crash in the long term.

This happens when the stress of training adds to the stress of everyday life. According to Dr Vass, the nervous system does not separate emotional stress, physical stress, and work-life overload.

“They all hit the same hormonal pathways. More isn't better. Better is better,” he noted.

Maintaining a healthy routine allows one to avoid the risk of overtraining. This involves:

It is better to let performance drop before your health does, noted Dr Vass.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More