Exercise ?

I hear that its recommended that you give your body a rest from working out to allow it to recover. Does that only apply to weight lifting? Asked another way, am I safe to do the same cardio daily (brisk walk on the treadmill)? BTW, this is in addition to me doing the Jillian Michael's Body Revolution. I do not do her cardio work outs, I sub it with my walk on the treadmill. I'd like to do it daily, despite sore muscles but also don't want to over due it.

Any guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Replies

  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    It depends on how hard you are pushing yourself and how familiar your body is with exercise.

    If you are doing something at >60% (made up number) maximum effort that you have performed regularly, it's likely you don't need to take time off.

    If you are newer to the exercise you can slowly increase the amount you do over a period of time.

    Your body will tell you if you need to take a break, just listen to it.
  • SashleyA
    SashleyA Posts: 122 Member
    I think it depends on how hard you go and how you're feeling. I take rest days when I am feeling tired or sore above and beyond what I normally feel after a workout- for example, on days my feet act up (a touch of planters faciitus), I'll take a rest day so I don't risk making the problem worse. Since I live in a place where I walk everywhere, I never take a break from walking as some cardio. It definitely doesn't hurt to take a break occasionally.
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    If you are able to do it then every day is great. Listen to your body though if it really hurts then slow down or stop.

    My only thought is on the days you weigh dont expect a huge loss just because sometimes exercise retains fluid due to inflammation. If you have really pushed yourself hard.
  • Shell4624
    Shell4624 Posts: 32 Member
    toddis & idrosophila, thanks for the input! I will be ordering a HRM soon because I don't fully understand how hard I'm going. I think my body is used to my 30-40 minutes 4.2MPH 4% incline walk that I do at least 3-4 times a week. Doing so makes me feel better mentally. More relaxed.
  • Shell4624
    Shell4624 Posts: 32 Member
    SashleyA, thank you for your input!
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I know there are people who will go without a rest day, but it's really a good idea to take one, since that's when your muscles repair themselves. It was also suggested to me to take a one-week exercise break every 3 months, and throw in a low intensity week somewhere in between, to give your central nervous system a break. Better safe than sorry.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/the-importance-of-rest.html

    He talks about the CNS here:

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/overtraining-overeaching-and-all-the-rest-part-6.html
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Asked another way, am I safe to do the same cardio daily (brisk walk on the treadmill)?

    Absolutely, yes.
  • obsidianwings
    obsidianwings Posts: 1,237 Member
    I don't believe that you can really overtrain with walking, its something out bodies are made to do on a daily basis, so have at it :) Recovery is more about eating right and get enough/good sleep anyway
  • obsidianwings
    obsidianwings Posts: 1,237 Member
    I know there are people who will go without a rest day, but it's really a good idea to take one, since that's when your muscles repair themselves. It was also suggested to me to take a one-week exercise break every 3 months, and throw in a low intensity week somewhere in between, to give your central nervous system a break. Better safe than sorry.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/the-importance-of-rest.html

    He talks about the CNS here:

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/overtraining-overeaching-and-all-the-rest-part-6.html
    Normally I would agree, but she is talking about walking
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I know there are people who will go without a rest day, but it's really a good idea to take one, since that's when your muscles repair themselves. It was also suggested to me to take a one-week exercise break every 3 months, and throw in a low intensity week somewhere in between, to give your central nervous system a break. Better safe than sorry.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/the-importance-of-rest.html

    He talks about the CNS here:

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/overtraining-overeaching-and-all-the-rest-part-6.html

    Normally I would agree, but she is talking about walking

    I don't walk on a treadmill, but it seemed like a pretty quick pace at an incline, so that's where my thinking was coming from.
  • quiltlovinlisa
    quiltlovinlisa Posts: 1,710 Member
    Personally I exercise every day but on my off days, I keep it really light, like a walk or pilates. So today I did a HIIT, tomorrow I'll walk, Wednesday I'll probably do a low impact aerobics with some weights.

    I feel better when I move.