Rest Days? Should I Take Them? How Often?

UpEarly
UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
edited September 27 in Fitness and Exercise
Since joining MFP, I've exercised 34 out of the last 35 days. I rotate hiking/power walking, circuit training, and using cardio equipment. I feel like the rotation gives me a lot of variety, so I don't know that I need to worry about overtraining. Most days, I burn 400-600 calories and feel like I work pretty hard. Usually one day a week, I go for a really long hike or bike ride (4-6 hours) and burn even more than that.

I'm wondering what everyone thinks of taking rest days? How often do you take them? Does it hurt if I *don't* take them. I honestly like to exercise every day, so I'm not terribly keen on taking rest days unless there is some sort of major benefit.

Opinions?

Replies

  • zoombie_bear
    zoombie_bear Posts: 963 Member
    I've also wonder, since I joined I have not stopped a day, or perhaps 2 max after injury
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    The consensus seems to be to take a rest day once per week. I have a hard time taking them and usually end up doing extra cardio. This weekend I did rest on Sunday, and I am very content with that decision.
  • deuce3Degotrip
    deuce3Degotrip Posts: 49
    Your muscles need time to regroup and repair themselves... the variety that you are doing is good bc you are not using the same muscles every day but tons of cardio breaks down muscles intead of building them up so I'd suggest taking at least one day off. I use Sunday as my day to do absolutely nothing. I maintain my eating but don't do any exercise outside of the activities for the day.
  • igora_soma
    igora_soma Posts: 486
    I've tried both ways and find that resting actually helps me lose! I was really surprised the first time. Maybe try one day a week to start with and see how you feel :)
  • randilea
    randilea Posts: 140
    Rest at least once per week. Your muscles need time to recover to help ward of injury,
  • jeaniedev
    jeaniedev Posts: 117 Member
    I struggle with this one...since I am one of those ppl who feels that they need to workout A LOT to see results....since I have been meeting with a trainer I really am trying to change my ways and try to do things the right and healty way....so he DEF..advocates for rest days at leas one a week so that your body can regroup and your mind....I do do them and have been averaging about 3 lb weight loss a week. I have found as I have been told....the food is to fuel my body and those days that I do rest, or rest for me, means no intense workout...but I may walk the dog or play softball with my kids...etc...I eat on the lower side of my calories for the day. Best advice he gives me is to listen to my body...
  • jewelzz
    jewelzz Posts: 326 Member
    Yes absolutly I do it.one to two times aweek depending on my calorie burn wich is pretty high for the week.but more than that I do it so I don't get burned out.I don't count the weekend days that I walk with my fiance as calorie burning days because I really get nothn from them
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    I guess specifically I'm wondering if I need rest days from the cardio portions of my workout routine. I know I need rest days after lifting to allow muscles to repair and build. I lift to almost complete muscle fatigue twice a week and take 2-3 rest days between those workouts.

    What I'm not clear on is why I need days off from cardio - is going for an hour walk or riding my bike really something I can't/shouldn't do every single day?

    (I write this just as I'm getting ready to change into my workout gear for a 45 minute workout on my stationary bike. The thought of rest days makes me feel uneasy and antsy!)
  • michelleisgettinfit
    michelleisgettinfit Posts: 90
    I had the same question... I have always heard to rest a day... but when I asked in this forum, I got a lot of people saying that they at least do some sort of low impact cardio on their rest day... so I think that is what I will do. :)
  • reepobob
    reepobob Posts: 1,172 Member
    I am doing P90X and although it is an intense workout routine, even this program advocates a rest day. You have the option to rest or utilize the X-Stretch routine which I typically will do...It burns about 180 calories over and above normal at rest burn, so I learn to just not eat as much or I will wear an HRM and mow the grass and log the extra burn even though it is not what you would call classic exercise. In other words, I make my rest day an active non-workout day.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    Thanks for all the feedback, folks! I think I'm probably going to continue working out every day until I feel like I need a rest day. :-)
  • cmo1987
    cmo1987 Posts: 40 Member
    I have 2 a week Friday and Sunday, not by choice but I can't get there in time on Fridays after wok and Sunday they are closed, it works out for the best though because Sunday is my bumming day.
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