Am I working out too hard?

[livenraw]

I love doing my HIIT but am wondering if maybe I am pushing myself too hard? Of course, I started eating a lot of heavy cooked food about a month ago and gained 14 lbs but have since lost 5 of it and would like to slowly get back down to where I was before I started eating heavy cooked food, but I have been stuck - literally stuck - for over a week at the same weight. Last time this happened (when I was heavier) I slowed down my workouts and the weight started coming off again (after being stuck for a month) Do any of you think I should slow down my workouts or the intensity of them? Here is a normal workout schedule for me:

M HIIT (usually for 45 minutes)
T 40 minutes of weight training plus 40 min on the elliptical
W HIIT (45 minutes)
T 40 minutes weight training plus 40 minutes on the treadmill
F HIIT (45 minutes)
S 40 minutes weight training plus 20 minute run

Is there something maybe I should change? Or do you think I should just slow down my HIIT or just stop them all together for now and just walk for maybe an hour instead?

[twinee1]

When you say HIIT 45 min, you mean HIIT cardio not weight training right ?

The Idea of HIIT is to get it down fast. HIIT is best done at Intensity Levels where you can keep it up for 16 min- 20...then the energy level if conntinued would decline dramatically..in fact IMO you should not be able to stay at HIIT for 45 min.

I think you need to change things from week to week. The body adjusts to stress...so try to change the structure of your training...type of cardio, intensity and type. Go off HIIT for a week...then start a new cycle

just an example:
cardio varied machines, intensity:
2 - 30 min sessions, 1 - 35 min session, 1 60 min session and one HIIT at 16 min, then add a second HIIT of 20 min ...

also when I am getting ready for a show and weight loss stalls I will do an evening cardio session, no food go to bed and next morn get up and do another session. This will kick you into gear (not sustainable for extended periods of time, emergency technique) ..also on occassion do cardio, weights, cardio...

weights try 3 on 1 off for 2 weeks, then 3 on 2 off then a few weeks later 4 on 2 off...and so one...

keep us updated on your progress...

[livenraw]

thank you for your response. I will try what you suggested. I guess I should clear up the 45 minutes thing...4 minutes warm up, then I will do 15 min of HIIT, then slow down to a walking pace for 8 min, then go again for 15 min and then a 3 minute cool down to equal 45 minutes. I read this in Shape magazine to do this if you wanted to shed pounds...guess it doesn't work for all people, huh? Yeah...it's running on a treadmill...that's what my HIIT is. The dh said he thinks I am working out too hard for how little I have been eating lately as I have not been all that hungry lately and just eat when I am. I wonder if that might have something to do with it as well?

[twinee1]

The body is a funny thing, sometimes it is hard to determine just why one thing is or is not happening...so if you change on thing at a time it is easier to determine what changes are positive.

warm up and cooldown for HIIT is good. Try the warm up the 16 min HIIT then the cooldown and be done there. If you like longer sessions do the Intensity drills 3 min each at 4-5 min intervals for the 45 min.

As far as working out to hard, I am not sure if that is accurate assessment as it does not look like to much to me ! BUT if you are not getting adequate cals for extended periods of time then your body may be conserving...met my have slowed a bit. Again you can learn from what Physique competitors due at Competition time. As a fact we restrict calories for weeks on end, months for me !! so I find I have to put in a few high calorie days from time to time to keep my body guessing.

Try that !!!