Overtraining Help

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I believe now, that I have overtrained over the past year and that seems to have resulted in my legs developing a burn extremely quickly shortly after any exercise and also fatigued. I have noticed that a higher protein diet has a beneficial effect in helping, instead of a high carb diet and rest over the past few months has helped but the burn still returns. Also, in spite of all my efforts I could not lose the last few pounds, even on an intensely strict and managed diet regime. Anyone else had this problem? I am open to ALL suggestions/thougts etc....

Originally posted by wallaroowoman
I believe now, that I have overtrained over the past year
If you are truely overtrained, I advise rest and perhaps a visit to the doctor for a check up. What amount of training have you been doing to become overtrained?
Originally posted by wallaroowoman
extremely quickly shortly after any exercise and also fatigued
Sorry, your legs burn after exercise stops? This sounds like you are not having a sufficent cool down or are trying to train outside what you are capable of. What do you think the causes is specificaly? It could also be hormonal (related to mensis).
Originally posted by wallaroowoman
I have noticed that a higher protein diet has a beneficial effect in helping, instead of a high carb diet and rest over the past few months has helped but the burn still returns.
A low carb diet will cause you to become fatigued as you will become progressivly glycogen depleted and while protein is needed for recovery, the average diet contains more than enough. Perhaps you should review what you are eating, with the help of a qualified person.
Originally posted by wallaroowoman
Also, in spite of all my efforts I could not lose the last few pounds, even on an intensely strict and managed diet regime.
Again it may be time to review that regime and your exercise program. You may have reached a plateux requiring a further reduction in Kcal's or increase in exercise. Given that you are eating a high protein diet and think you are overtrained, I think you should seek qualified help. (You are not on an 'Atkins' type diet are you?)

I dont really have an scientific basis for this, just my own experience on the matter.
I used to me a bike courier, so i was on the bike for hours everyday and over a period of time i developed a similar type of "burning" sensation in my legs that was quite debilitating. In the morning the sensation would be very strong and over the course of the day, as i warmed up, the buring would fade and then reappear in the afternoon. On the weekends the burning sensation would increase to quite a painful level. In fact, it is the primary reason why i stopped couriering. It felt like i had poison in my legs as whenever i started putting in a big effort my muscles just would not react.
Once i stopped couriering i stayed off the bike for a month and have been doing specific training for about 4 months now, really listening to my body and i dont have any of the burning sensations anymore.
My belief is that you must always have a recovery week every four weeks. Give your body a rest and let it consolidate. There is no rush to get fit or lose the weight. Slowly is way that will be the most satisfying in the end.

I also don't have scientific data but have some great personal experience. I always started out the early season road races about 5 lbs "heavy" but rode well regardless. Then I "buckled down" in the early summer, upped mileage, & watched the diet to lose those last 5 lbs. This always resulted in lower energy levels, increased fatigue, weak sprint and acceleration, etc, etc. Once I even went to the dr for a blood test to see if there was something wrong with me. Nope, blood was fine. Two years of repeating this I learned the value in rest days, rest weeks, and eating plenty. I also learned that I was not 5 lbs over weight but at my ideal weight in the early spring. Unless you have a big huge gut or something I'd be extremely cautious of letting the weight factor dictate your training.