If you exercise for any length of time, you’ll probably wake up one day, take one look at your running shoes or whatever is in your workout arsenal and consider burning it, just to get it out of your site. Burnout is a common problem and fire is not the answer (most of the time). Exercise burnout can happen to anyone, but we often do not notice the signs of an impending burnout until it’s too late. I have seen it in many people and have come to know a few signs.

Here are a few types of exercisers that a burnout might be lurking in:

The Clock Watcher: How many times have you been one of these people who say: “I’m going to be on this treadmill for 30 minutes today” and you constantly look at the clock begging for it to speed up? Trust me, I know the feeling and have been there plenty of times myself! There’s no worse feeling than looking at the clock, thinking you’ve been at it for at least 15 minutes and realize it’s only been 5. Constantly watching the clock during your workout may indicate a burnout on the horizon.

Captain Indecisive: Are you one of these people who think about exercising tomorrow and just can’t make up your mind about what you want to do? “I’ll go walk around the neighborhood…no I’ll go ride my bike out at Berry….no I should go to the gym….I don’t know what I want to do." Sometimes you decide what you’re going to do, but change your mind so much in the process, you have no idea what you actually doing! If you can’t think of any workout that sounds good, this may be a signal that you’re burning out.

The Dreader: When you pick out your workout clothes for the day and find yourself thinking, "I really don’t want to change and go work out! I’m just not in the mood to do this." If the thought of even putting on these clothes makes you tired, this may be a sign you’re burned out.

These are all normal issues that almost anyone who has ever worked out has experienced at some point.

Being able to recognize the signs can help save you time and frustration and get you back on track to enjoying your workouts again.

Sometimes just taking a day or two off, or giving yourself permission to sleep in one morning is enough to shake you out of your rut.

Other times, you may need something more drastic — a complete change of schedule, a new activity or a ceremonial burning of that workout DVD you’ve done way too many times.

Exercise is great but like anything else in life, if done in excess it can hinder you.

I say this time and time again, work on finding a balance in your life and make sure you are able to do things you truly enjoy doing.