What constitutes overtraining?

[Pumping Iron]

I train 4 days on, 1 day off.
Day:
1 Back, Forearms, Abs
2 Chest, Tris, Calves
3 Shoulders, Bis, Forearms, Abs
4 Quads, Hams, Calves, Abs

I read/hear about this shit all the time about the dangers of overtraining. How do you know?

Some people say soreness is a good measure (if you're sore, don't train that muscle), but then others say it has nothing to do with the quality of that last workout....
Some say to take a week or so off every once in a while...
Some say if you're mentally drained, or a little of your lost your drive...
Some say when you're not making solid gains anymore (but why would you take time off???)

So, What the f*ck is overtraining?

 

[Pumping Iron]

...By the way, i'm making solid gains, 215 from 205 (10 lbs of lean muscle), and my abs are coming in nicely, without taking more than 1 day off in a row (like the above schedule says)...

 

[ponyboy]

Signs of overtraining include:

Feeling weak
Sleeplessness (waking up often)
Feeling sick (I usually get a sore throat)
Elevated waking heart rate
Elevated soreness and fatigue of muscles

Your body will tell you when you're overtraining because it will simply shut you down, believe it or not. Fighting against your body's natural instincts is the fastest way to hurt yourself. You'll know you're overtraining when your program starts to get affected by your body rebelling and telling you to stop.

 

[rburton]

The previous post about overtraining pretty much says it. Other signs, though, are loss of appetite, an apathy toward training, and a loss in strength.

 

[gr81]

It looks to me like you are possibly OT PI. Why don't you have a rest day in between chest and back??? Many people don't know they are overtraining but they are. You have to remember, train for the long run, you have to channel that enthusiasm and direct it in a more positive way than being in the gym all the time. Recovery time is vital and you aren't letting your muscles recover if you are training your upper body three days in a row. Utilize rest time, plain and simple.
To answer your ?? about how do you know when you are OT, you know when you are in the gym 4 days in a row. You aren't going to get big in a week or a month, it will take years so train like that, instead of trying to get everything done in 5 days.