SHAPE_OCTOBER_2016
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When to bail<br />
on your<br />
workout<br />
Exercising is<br />
a great idea most<br />
of the time, but<br />
there are<br />
exceptions<br />
when it’s better<br />
to play your<br />
get-out-of-gym<br />
card. Let our<br />
expert guide<br />
help you decide.<br />
By SARA ANGLE<br />
You’re way<br />
overcaffeinated<br />
GIVE YOURSELF A PASS<br />
Although having some caffeine<br />
in your system before a workout<br />
may improve your athletic<br />
performance—the chemical<br />
can stimulate your central nervous<br />
system to give you more<br />
juice—when you’re overcaffeinated,<br />
you may feel dizzy,<br />
jittery, or nervous or even<br />
experience some stomach<br />
problems. Add in exercise and<br />
those symptoms can become<br />
exacerbated, explains Edward<br />
Ryan, Ph.D., an assistant professor<br />
of exercise science at<br />
Chatham University. Plus,<br />
GO WITH YOUR GUT<br />
Everyone tolerates caffeine<br />
and food differently<br />
during exercise. Golden rule?<br />
If you feel bad, stop.<br />
being hopped-up on caffeine<br />
may actually impair your recovery<br />
during high-intensity exercise,<br />
because your heart rate<br />
isn’t slowing to its usual recovery<br />
level during rest intervals.<br />
Instead of revving your body on<br />
high, head out for a stroll, keeping<br />
your heart rate below<br />
60 percent of your max effort.<br />
You won’t be able to walk off<br />
the physical jitters—burn ing<br />
calories won’t help your body<br />
metabolize the caffeine any<br />
faster—but moving at that easy<br />
pace will at least give you a hit<br />
of mental calm.<br />
Photo courtesy of Bigstockphotos Contributor Dirima.<br />
18 <strong>OCTOBER</strong> <strong>2016</strong> <strong>SHAPE</strong>.COM