To rest or not to rest?

2012asv

I've been working out [HARD] twice a day everyday. Partially because I want results fast and partially because if i dont work out or dont give it 200% i feel like i cheated myself.

Since yesterday, my energy level has been really low- regardless of food intake. I feel like my body is just exhausted- i couldnt lift as much as i normally do this morning.

Here is the question:

Is it better to skip a workout and rest your body ?
OR
Is it better to push through even if the workout is not as [intense] and at least burn a few calories?

DecemberNick

I would listen to your body on this one. Right now it's saying, "You've been running me ragged twice a day, every day. Let me take a nap!" Take a day off, eat plenty of food to replenish your glycogen stores and get plenty of rest to let your muscles and soft tissue heal.

scottb81

Given what you said, it is better to rest. You are not recovering sufficiently from your workouts. If you don't rest you will dig a deeper hole and get weaker, not stronger.

ishallnotwant

You really should incorporate a regular rest day into your program. :flowerforyou:

BrandyontheRun

Omgosh, take a rest day!! lol Maybe if you'd had an easy week it wouldn't be so bad to skip it... But your only going to get more and more exhausted if you don't rest it up lady

Kandygirl

i would take a rest day. maybe you are overworking the muscles. just relax and take a looong hot shower.

Quickster34

Without rest your body cannot build muscle, muscle is broken down during excersize and only builds when you let your body recover and rest. if your doing 2 a days that's fine but i would take at least one day off a week so you don't burn out which is what is happening from your description

arc918

My standard answer is: you can rest when you're dead...

But that is always trumped by: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!

Get some rest. If you must do something, take an easy walk.

2012asv

I would listen to your body on this one. Right now it's saying, "You've been running me ragged twice a day, every day. Let me take a nap!" Take a day off, eat plenty of food to replenish your glycogen stores and get plenty of rest to let your muscles and soft tissue heal.

(i feel really stupid) But i didnt know what glycogen was. However, with the powers of Google, i now fully understand

2012asv

Without rest your body cannot build muscle, muscle is broken down during excersize and only builds when you let your body recover and rest. if your doing 2 a days that's fine but i would take at least one day off a week so you don't burn out which is what is happening from your description

Sounds like you're right : \
Perhaps not enough recovery time. I forget that superman isn't real.
Thank you

2012asv

Omgosh, take a rest day!! lol Maybe if you'd had an easy week it wouldn't be so bad to skip it... But your only going to get more and more exhausted if you don't rest it up lady

... I do feel like i am breaking down and it is NOT a good feeling. Thank you

paeli

Always take a rest when you feel you need it! I don't have rest day "planned" in my schedule and I've gone weeks without feeling like I needed to rest so I ignored it. But if I ever feel like I need to rest, I always do.

10kaday

Rest days are tough because you are so motivated and you want to keep going but these are the days when your muscles are repairing so it is essential to take a break. Workout hard 3 days a week (every other day), light the other 2 days, and on the last 2 days really take it easy and don't do anything except walk.