How do you take a day off of exercise without feeling guilty

lilsassymom
lilsassymom Posts: 407 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I am just curious how you make yourself take a day off of working out. I have been giving in on my rest days because I feel just so dang guilty when I take a rest day. Any idea how I can MAKE myself take a day off without feeling guilty? Give me some logical thinking that will make me decide it's a good idea to take a rest day. Thanks.:smile:.

Replies

  • veganbabe133
    veganbabe133 Posts: 46 Member
    Hi! I used to feel the same way. To replace the way I felt, I tried to remind myself that my body actually needs the day to rebuild the muscle and get stronger! If you continue to never take a day of rest your body will get weaker. :\

    I feel the same way you do about rest days, so I practice yoga on my rest day! Still working out just to a relaxed level of rejuvination
  • rentrikin
    rentrikin Posts: 104 Member
    I have the same problem! My daughter and I are doing Jillian michaels and we know we are supposed to have a rest day but it is so hard to give in. We have decided on that day to do a yoga DVD that lasts about an hour. It is nowhere near the intensity and has much needed stretching. It is kind of a compromise.
  • awfitness
    awfitness Posts: 1
    Your muscles need one rest day a week to help themselves replenish.. thant rest day you can catch up on eating healthy and doing light streching if you feel like you cant take a day off because of guilt. streching your muslces is not intense and can help promote healing. try it you may just end up loving your one day off! :)
  • midwifekelley2350
    midwifekelley2350 Posts: 337 Member
    i usually take a nice walk on my rest day...or just rest!
  • Puffins1958
    Puffins1958 Posts: 614 Member
    I generally get to the gym about 3-5 days a week. Lately I have been so busy at work (working this past weekend, Fri 15 hrs, and Sat & Sun 15.5 hrs.) it's just not possible for me to get to the gym then. I didn't go for 4 days in a row, then finally on Tuesday I did the spin class I've been going to. It's tough, but I know everyone's body needs to REST, so that's how I see it
    (sorry for the long reply) :flowerforyou:

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  • tageekly
    tageekly Posts: 3,755 Member
    I also used to feel a bit guilty but like lawre297 I keep reminding myself my body needs a rest day to rebuild. I have come to enjoy my day off to reflect on what I need to work on the new week - different weights or a new class or DVD to try. I actually find I have more energy when I go back to the gym the next day.

    If I start to feel antsy on the day off, I'll also do some yoga or go for a relaxing walk, something light.
  • kjannan
    kjannan Posts: 248 Member
    I struggle with rest days but I do have one at least once a week. Usually I end up going for a little walk by the end of the day so I feel like I've done something to move.

    I think sometimes I worry about rest days because I'm scared a day off will make me lose motivation. Not possible though :)
  • muitobem
    muitobem Posts: 436 Member
    No sense in feeling guilty...your body NEEDS to have a couple of days to heal up after working out...If you don't take those breaks, your body won't heal properly and eventually you'll end up hurting yourself in the end...
  • gumigal82
    gumigal82 Posts: 350
    I exercise 5days, rest 2 days. I watch my calories closely 6days, and have a "fun" day on Saturday-Remember, Shame and guilt have no place in a weight management & fitness plan:)
  • mkallie
    mkallie Posts: 110 Member
    I never take totally off days... I feel like a slug if I do. If I can't get to the gym or if I'm not feeling anything really high intensity, I just go for a walk outside somewhere pretty, or the mall if it's crappy out. It gets you moving a little it's relatively gentle on your body, and it's better than just parking on a couch for 24 hours.
  • MissMollieK
    MissMollieK Posts: 316 Member
    I was that way until I ended up sick and my body made me take a day off. A day off may just be going for a small walk instead of pushing yourself and running hard....Don't regret giving your body rest- it needs it in every way...your muscles and mind and every other part need to refuel themselves and get time off....
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I have no guilt over rest days because I logically know that's exactly what my body needs.

    I do feel emotionally better when I exercise hard, though. I miss the endorphins. But again, I just tell myself that this is what my body needs. Ironically, that's what I kept telling myself about 11 months ago when I wanted to take a nap instead of getting on the treadmill. :laugh: Same principals, in reverse. Force yourself to do what's right, and it will become habit.
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    I usually take one "rest day" per week where I still go to the gym, but I just walk on the treadmill and listen to a Podcast. If I don't go, I feel like a slug, haha.
  • bonnynblithe04
    bonnynblithe04 Posts: 123 Member
    I met with a trainer who has suggested two rest days a week and that I rest from exercise my entire Christmas break. Help me Father!
  • Rachaelluvszipped
    Rachaelluvszipped Posts: 768 Member
    I have a few cardio/ days..that I basically just use as rest days...because other days I work with weights/strength training..

    Tuesday's and Sunday's are usually a slow day for me..

    Tuesdays' (dance or just a slow walk)
    Sundays' (a slow walk or no exercise)

    It does take time to get use to..haha, I'm a workout fanatic..And sometimes I switch up days...as depending on my schedule for the week..its like a job..we all need a break from that too! :wink:
  • meganepreston
    meganepreston Posts: 487 Member
    I usually work out really hard (double the intensity of my usual workouts) the day before my rest day. I up my weights a little and do a couple extra reps beyond what I usually would. That way when I wake up on my rest day my muscles are sore and I feel like I actually need to rest them.
  • lilsassymom
    lilsassymom Posts: 407 Member
    Thank you so much everyone for your feedback. I know my body needs to rest and heal, it is just the guilt that gets me. I am going to go with some of your advice and go for a walk or do a yoga dvd. Maybe my body will really appreciate the "easy day" and I will look forward to it and not have any more guilt. Thanks again everyone...
  • midwifekelley2350
    midwifekelley2350 Posts: 337 Member
    I met with a trainer who has suggested two rest days a week and that I rest from exercise my entire Christmas break. Help me Father!

    i don't think i agree with resting the whole christmas break...unless you are injured
  • gumigal82
    gumigal82 Posts: 350
    I never take totally off days... I feel like a slug if I do. If I can't get to the gym or if I'm not feeling anything really high intensity, I just go for a walk outside somewhere pretty, or the mall if it's crappy out. It gets you moving a little it's relatively gentle on your body, and it's better than just parking on a couch for 24 hours.

    My "rest" days usually involve walking...I do need to stay moving;)
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    I take about 4 rest days per week...haha. I know that sounds terrible, but I only get in about 3 days of exercise per week and remain active the other days, I just don't log the activity.
  • maryloo2011
    maryloo2011 Posts: 446
    On my "rest" days, I do the bigger things around the house like rake the leaves and bag them; garden; do a HUGE clean, etc etc. Basically I just keep trying to move around instead of sitting around.

    Days off are a necessity - I workout 4-7 days in a row, depending on how hard I go at it, but then have my rest day.
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