How often do you have rest days?

PussyKat
PussyKat Posts: 69 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Just that really. I have been doing the 30-day shred for the last 18 days, and in that time I have included other exercise every day (gym 3/4 times per week, Biggest Loser Wii game, lots of long walks). So definitely 10+ hours of exercise per week, the most active I have been in ages.

I have been really feeling it the last couple of days; feeling drained and struggling through exercise, despite eating healthily and getting plenty of sleep. I feel I've also been more prone to straining joints and muscles. So I've decided to take today completely off as a rest day, although I feel slightly guilty for doing this as I had planned to go to the gym.

So, how often do you all take breaks from your exercise routines? And would you feel okay incorporating more gentle exercise into a rest day, e.g. moderate walking?
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Replies

  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    I gym 5 days a week because I just like exercising. My rest days I do a jump rope work out or a true rest day.

    Walks on a rest day should be fine. If you feel joints straining it is time to have a break.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    I normally have 7 rest days a week. Even then I sometimes feel tired....
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Usually two.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,643 Member
    I typically take 2 rest days and 1 recovery. My body seems to recover well. If you are struggling through exercise then your body is telling you it needs to rest.
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    Total 100% rest day? Almost never. Right after a hard race usually, in which case I'll take two or three in a row depending on how I feel. Otherwise I am always doing something even if its an easy 45 minute run, or low-power spin on my bike.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    First off - what's a rest day?

    A day with 0 physical activity? Almost never.

    A recovery day? As often as I need. Sometimes that's once every 10ish days, sometimes it's 4 days a week. All depends on my work load, calorie intake, sleep, stress levels, etc.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    As a rule I don't stop moving. I even fidget when I sit still. ;-) The statistics show that 50% of people who start an exercise program don't stick with it. I wish that were lower.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I have one or two rest days a week. I define a rest day as a day when I don't do an actual workout/training session (i.e., no lifting, no timed/measured running.) I might take a walk or play on the playground with my daughter or do some other activity like that though.
  • jeremywm1977
    jeremywm1977 Posts: 657 Member
    eldamiano wrote: »
    I normally have 7 rest days a week. Even then I sometimes feel tired....

    I love this response.
  • jeremywm1977
    jeremywm1977 Posts: 657 Member
    I workout Sunday through Thursday, off Friday and Saturday.
  • SLHysell
    SLHysell Posts: 247 Member
    Saturday is my rest day. The rest of the week I alternate between gym and running. If something starts hurting in a way I know is unhealthy, I take an extra day. I think you are wise to take today off. It's better than giving yourself an injury that could take you out for weeks or even months.
  • PussyKat
    PussyKat Posts: 69 Member
    edited November 2014
    Thanks for the responses - I guess I was thinking of 'rest day' as any day that doesn't include any vigorous physical activity. I hadn't even thought of the difference between a 'rest' or 'recovery day'.

    I was intending to go for a walk, but the weather is horrendous today...seems a good excuse as any to rest completely :)
  • Kellyfitness128
    Kellyfitness128 Posts: 194 Member
    eldamiano wrote: »
    I normally have 7 rest days a week. Even then I sometimes feel tired....

    Lol.

    I like to do cardio one day (such as a 3-5 mile run), the next day strength training with light cardio (walking, short run), then cardio, then strength, etc with usually one day off a week or whatever my body feels like. If I'm extremely worn out one day, I'll take the day off. It's important to listen to your body.
  • hermann341
    hermann341 Posts: 443 Member
    Always one a week, usually on Sundays. Sometimes two.
  • ddmom0811
    ddmom0811 Posts: 1,881 Member
    I can't seem to get a rest day in. I'm doing 3 different things: running, biking and weights. Some days I do two of those. I think I did have 2 rest days last month, but I didn't want to. Sometimes if I feel sore, it seems like the running makes it better.
  • MelanieRBrace
    MelanieRBrace Posts: 245 Member
    At least one day a week.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Three days a week plus a complete rest week every 4-7 weeks typically.
  • jaquelynny
    jaquelynny Posts: 94 Member
    i rest when i sleep
  • cstevenson86
    cstevenson86 Posts: 158 Member
    My days off from exercise are usually Friday and Sunday. I try to workout 4-5 days a week. I missed last night and feel terrible about it today! BUT, sometimes life happens. Just don't make it a habit of taking off whenever feel like it. Sometimes you have to push through the stress, exhaustion, and the "I just don't feel like it" attitude. Good luck to you on your journey!
  • spirit095
    spirit095 Posts: 1,017 Member
    Usually 2 for me. I do weights 3 days and cardio (walking) 2 days.
  • Panthers89
    Panthers89 Posts: 153 Member
    I take at least 1 rest / recovery day per week. This week my rest day was Wednesday but I am taking 2 extra days off from cardio because I twisted my knee. I'll be back tomorrow. Like somebody said above, make sure to listen to your body when it "barks" back at you.
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    I workout at the gym Tues, Thurs and Sat. Other days I either go for long walks or hop on the rowing machine. Every now and then, I might do practically nothing (say about 5-6k steps), but it makes me appreciates my workout days a lot more! I struggle not to do something TBH.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,643 Member
    I struggle to on those days that I don't work out too. I want to get up and do something. Don't know what will happen when football season is over. However, I realized that although I might act like a spring chicken on those days I work out, my body needs the rest at my age and my plan is to keep going however I can for life.
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    20yearsyounger wrote: »
    I struggle to on those days that I don't work out too. I want to get up and do something. Don't know what will happen when football season is over. However, I realized that although I might act like a spring chicken on those days I work out, my body needs the rest at my age and my plan is to keep going however I can for life.

    Amen to that. I'm in the best shape I've been since high school, but it's the best shape on an older chassis.

  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    I was doing full rest on Sundays and active rest (yoga class) on Wednesdays. Then I got closer to my powerlifting meet and started lifting on Sundays, too. I will probably keep this schedule if time permits. And, I take a de-load week every 4 weeks with my lifting and a rest week before a powerlifting meet or 3 full rest days before a Crossfit comp. I have experienced some central nervous system fatigue in the past and had to take a week off of lifting and high intensity activity due to poor recovery. I am 41. I usually train 60-120 minutes per day at least 5x per week but I certainly had to work up to that. Listen to your body!
  • Sinistrous
    Sinistrous Posts: 5,589 Member
    Two forced rest days each weekend.
  • trungalung
    trungalung Posts: 45
    I lift on Mon, Tue, Thu, and Fri so I have "active rest days" on the others. Rest days for me do not mean sitting on my butt and watch TV (I get plenty of that at work). In those days, I usually do some form of cardio like running/biking, plyometric, swimming, or playing sports.
  • michellemybelll
    michellemybelll Posts: 2,228 Member
    typically, 0 rest days. running daily keeps me sane.
  • Iri_2
    Iri_2 Posts: 349 Member
    Usually one day a week
  • kikityme
    kikityme Posts: 472 Member
    edited November 2014
    Sunday. Sunday is "I will only put pants on if I have to" day.

    I love Sunday.

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