Rest days

pbajwally

I told myself when August started, my goal is to do 60 min of cardio every day. So far, so good -- even though it's only Day 3, but I digress -- my question is: should take a day or 2 as rest days during the week? On one hand, I'm interested to see the results of working out every day for 31 days straight. But my big fear is burning myself out, and falling back into old habits, which has happened so many times in the past.

Also, in wanting to keep my mix of exercise interesting, I'm trying to rotate all kinds of different activities. The first 2 days I did the treadmill for an hour. Today I did Tae Bo. I also have the Wii Fit Plus and Zumba for Wii, plus 3 different Jillian Michael's videos (incl. 30 day Shred) and the Firm workouts.

What do you do to stay interested, challenged and motivated with your exercise?

bitterbrownie

i find a rest day does help - maybe on that day do some strength training instead or just some light walking. i find i can become demotivated or just very tired! if i work out consistently every day. but i do make sure to do some activity - even if it's running up the stairs 5 times before bed hope this helps

scarletfever2005

Yes, rest. Rest and repair days are a very important part of any exercise plan. Without them you run a higher risk of muscle and joint injury. So don't consider your rest days as a nothing day. Consider it as a different portion of your program. Making yourself rest can be just as challenging as working out sometimes. So count a good day resting as a good workout, a success!

Tracey_Smith

Definitely, the rest can be as good as the workout. I normally have one or two a week and I exercise loads.

sociable15

Rest days are very important for your muscles to rebuild themselves, thus getting stronger. Otherwise you're continually breaking them down without giving them a chance to recover. I used to run varsity cross country in college and we ran 5-6 days a week (some days very short runs, especially days before races, other days were like 8 mile runs). We were NOT allowed to run on Sunday, we had to either rest or do "active rest" (swimming was most recommended as we were doing something but no impact on our legs. But biking was a good alternative). I think that even running 6 days a week during competition season was too much for me and I ended up with a lot of injuries (torn meniscus was from a fall but I also dealt with plantar faciitis on and off for an entire year). now I run 3-4 days a week again and feel fantastic. that's my 2 cents. :-)

bmmarti3

Take 1 day completely off. Maybe some light walking would be ok, but you really need a solid recovery day once a week.

I would also make one day oftheweek a half day. A sort of semi-rest day.

Try 3 days of hard work, the half day, 2 days of hard work, then the rest day.

That's not to say it's the only way, but other programs have similar structures built into them. Recovery is very important. Also, ifyour working out this much,be sure to get some good stretching in (3-5 min before and after your workouts). It will help prevent muscle unjury.

hewhoiscd

You need at least one rest day per week. Personally, on my rest day, I like to do a long relaxed stretching routine.

BerryH

If you're new to exercise or feel you're working at your limit, take at least one full day off all exercise a week.

However, if you have a routine you're comfortable with, you can take active rest days. I walk or swim on mine. Still burning calories but not straining the joints and muscles.

CakeFit21

training = work + REST