Should I take a break from my workout?

morales2343
morales2343 Posts: 4
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm wondering if I should take a day of rest from my workout. I haven't worked out in over three years and decided to get my butt into gear and get back to being healthy. I purchased an elliptical and some resistance bands and have been working out for three weeks straight (7 days a week). I also do a set of 50 squats. The first week my total work out time was 25-28 minutes. For the past two weeks my work out times have been 45-60 minutes. My legs are incredibly sore and my thighs tighten up when I get on the elliptical after about four minutes now. I am slightly overweight for my height and age and I understand that after years of no activity my body will hurt. Should I take a day's rest with the soreness and tightening in my legs? Thanks in advance and any advice is very much appreciated.

Replies

  • yiffanarff
    yiffanarff Posts: 123 Member
    Yes! Recovery days are important. I've definitely been there before, where you feel like you've gotten in the groove of being healthy, and you don't want to ruin it by missing a day. However, from experience, if you push it too hard for too long, you're just going to injure yourself, and then you'll have to deal with the frustration of not being able to workout for weeks or months.

    Be kind to your body! It needs the rest.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    I give myself at least one, one hundred percent rest day...sometimes two...

    If you keep going at that pace you are going to burn yourself out..slow and steady wins the race...
  • javacafe
    javacafe Posts: 79 Member
    In the very least, you should have at least one day of rest. Even otherwise, doing different types of workouts during different days of the week give your muscles a chance to recuperate. It is the rest and recuperation that helps the muscles heal and come back stronger (after you tear them down during workouts).

    Also instead of doing 50 squats why not try to squat with weights and do less reps.

    Of course all advice needs to be put into the context of what your specific goals are.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    There is no need to work out 7 days a week.
  • morales2343
    morales2343 Posts: 4
    I guess I just got a little too excited about the routine I've gotten into. Thanks for the feedback guys! Much appreciated!
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    Yeah, take a rest day. But if you are scared of getting out of the routine (me, too, since starting back up heavy), you can do a nice stretching or gentle yoga DVD.

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