(Image source from: Are you over-exercising?})

Think exercising to the point of exhaustion will help you slip into your desired size of jeans faster? Too much of anything can be bad and exercise is no exception. Sweating it out too much at the gym can not only cause muscle soreness, but also lead to a decrease in fitness and performance, more body wear and tear, disruption of sleep, and increased vulnerability to illnesses.

To ensure that you aren't pushing yourself too hard during your work-out sessions, watch out for these tell-tale signs.

Feeling more tired than energized: Does slogging hard at the gym leaves you feeling more tired than energized? If exercising leaves you feeling tired all day long, then possibly you need to check and restructure your exercising schedule to suit your capacity. Also, if you are always feeling irritated, then chances are that your body is worn out by over exercising and needs rest.

Lack of sleep or insomnia: If you feel like a sleepy head throughout the day or find it difficult to get sleep even after a long day, chances are that you are over exercising.

Hormonal imbalances: Over exercising could topple your hormonal balance. If you are falling sick too often or missing your period date regularly, then it's time to reasses our exercising patterns.

Feeling 'blue': Although exercise releases hormones that makes you feel, good, fresh and energized, over exercising, on the contrary could leave you moody, blue and completely demotivated.

Slow recovery: If you are in the habit of doing high intensity workouts without giving your body a break, then your body recovery is likely to be slower than normal. You must let your body recuperate and rebuild before you hit the gym again or else your efforts will not make any yields.

AW: Suchorita Choudhury