Recovery Week?

boyflowerbird

Has anyone taken a week off of exercising? I have been going it at 110% for about 12 weeks now. I have been doing TurboFire and following the class schedule, plus doing other stuff as well. About four weeks ago I added in BodyPump 2-3x/week for strength training.

I feel GREAT and I have lost a lot of weight. It was suggested to me that I might want to consider taking a recovery week since I am working out with such intensity. I want to kick it up a notch every so often, but I also want to avoid injuries and burnout. I love swimming, and I considered just doing a few days of easy swimming or walking next week and give my body a break.

Anyone have thoughts?

willdbill0712

I would say listen to your body. If you think you need a break, or to cut back for a week, go for it. If not, keep on keeping on.

mrsmccullen07

I dont know much but I think you should be able to tell if you need a recovery week based on how your body feels .. maybe a week would be too long maybe take a day off or do 1/2 your normal workout for a few days .. I am new to working out but I do take one day off or do something very low key that day just because I stay so so sore and I read your body actually builds muscle while your resting so I think it does me good !! I am sure to stay on my calories exactly that day as well :)

I only have one program here that has a schedule with it and its Insanity and they have a Recovery Week but you still do a excerise that week .. I haven't followed the program yet since the first 3 days left me so sore in my knees I could barely walk and with a 4yr old and a 18month old I have to be able to walk lol .. I am starting being more intense this week and hope that by my birthday I can start Insanity (my bday is Nov.29) and do the complete 60days so that I can hopefully stay on track during the holidays if I am not ready for Insanity i am going to do Turbo Fire

ninerbuff

A week off is always good if you've been consistently training for 12 weeks or more.

davidpm

I just did three intense weeks. My "recovery" week takes a break on the weights and intense cardio. It's two days of yoga, two days of stretching, and two days of core workouts.

mlb929

I just did three intense weeks. My "recovery" week takes a break on the weights and intense cardio. It's two days of yoga, two days of stretching, and two days of core workouts.

Ditto.

I think it never hurts to back it down a little. It will allow your body to respond to your diet too w/o the exercise to push it up IMO. There is a theory out there that less is more sometimes. I was off for 6 weeks for surgery and only did diet, no exercise for the first 3 weeks and mild exercise the next 3 weeks and lost my final 10lbs I'd been wanting to lose for a year. I can't hurt IMO.

BeesKnees181

Recovery doesn't mean you don't exercise at all; I think it is about focusing on strengthening other areas of your body. Yoga, pilates, and swimming are great ways to recover.