Trouble with rest days

BoxerBrawler
BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
edited November 21 in Health and Weight Loss
I can't remember if I posted something like this before, I'm sure the topic has come up so forgive me if I am duplicating.

Just wondering if anyone else has a real problem with rest days. I made a commitment to decrease the amount of exercise I do, increase my calories and really commit to an actual rest day. In the past my rest days consisted of just one class (between a 300-500 calorie burn), vs. over a thousand. But I know that I have to have a real rest from cardio, cross fit, MMA and weight lifting. I know I am never giving my body the time to truly recover and I am not re-feeding or anything like that. I've been trying to work in "active" rest days where I don't work out but will take my pup on a long walk... like an hour or so to at least get the steps in.

The problem I have is I don't physically feel like I need to rest! I struggle with forcing myself to not workout or go for a run or lift, etc.

Do we absolutely have to have a rest day?

I used to just keep going until my body told me it needed the rest... I'd have a day where I felt like I had cement blocks on my feet legit! That would become my rest day. It wasn't planned.

Thoughts?

Thanks
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Replies

  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    My thought is that you're going to continue to ignore what everyone has told you on numerous threads and continue to rationalize what you're doing.

    If you're not going to listen, asking the question holds little value.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    edited July 2015
    Depends on your schedule and fueling. You def need rest days from lifting. You can get away without a rest day if you alternate lifting days with cardio days, and get adequate nutrition.

    What does your current workout schedule look like and what are you thinking of adding instead of the rest day?
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    I feel like if you don't set a regular rest day, your body will start telling you it needs time off more often.
  • oh_happy_day
    oh_happy_day Posts: 1,137 Member
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    My thought is that you're going to continue to ignore what everyone has told you on numerous threads and continue to rationalize what you're doing.

    If you're not going to listen, asking the question holds little value.

    This. I don't believe that you're necessarily a good judge of when your body needs a rest based on the thought content you've expressed in some of your other threads. I understand missing the endorphins from the workout but it shouldn't be as hard as it seems to be for you to actually fuel and rest your body properly.
  • Bshmerlie
    Bshmerlie Posts: 1,026 Member
    Let me ask you this....why not take a rest day? It's not going to hinder your progress. It can only help your muscles.
  • acoustophoresis
    acoustophoresis Posts: 49 Member
    edited July 2015
    I workout probably 5-6 days a week and I always go bonkers on my rest days. I am super restless and usually end up CLEANING ALL THE THINGS. But I don't do anything super strenuous, because rest days are truly important.

    Think of it this way: you could either have a rest day, or a crash week. Which would be kinder to your body?
  • professionalHobbyist
    professionalHobbyist Posts: 1,316 Member
    Almost every mechanical thing made has a duty cycle

    Your body is an organic machine

    It has a duty cycle that includes rest

    Ignore that to your own detriment.
  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    A lot of good points. I'd rather have a rest day than a crash week that's for sure!

    My current schedule...
    Monday through Saturday I get 30 to 60 minutes of cardio (running or dance). Monday I practice MMA which is 30 cross fit (calisthenics) and 30 boxing drills. Tuesday is zumba toning AM and traditional latin dance PM. Wednesday is traditional latin dance AM and MMA PM. Thursday (used to be 60 minute run and either spin or MMA PM) Friday morning I take a wavemaster skills class. Saturday morning is 60 minutes cardio and one hour MMA. Sunday morning is a wavemaster skills class. My lift days are typically Thursday, Saturday and Monday with two days off in between. So my thought process was for Thursday do nothing strenuous... maybe some cleaning, a walk here and there, light core, definitely a beach or water front walk with my dog in the afternoon. I do change up my classes/exercises and routines as well and cross fit / MMA is never quite the same.
  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    Bshmerlie wrote: »
    Let me ask you this....why not take a rest day? It's not going to hinder your progress. It can only help your muscles.

    Good question. I don't have the answer other than I get anxious when I'm not active.

  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    My thought is that you're going to continue to ignore what everyone has told you on numerous threads and continue to rationalize what you're doing.

    If you're not going to listen, asking the question holds little value.

    QFT

  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    Rest day means just that - rest. Not 'light exercise', or 'less exercise', but rest. You ask, but then say you're still going to exercise, after you're told you should actually rest. If you really are asking for help, then take the advice, and take a day off. You've been here before, and you know there's a problem. Actually rest for a day. Watch a movie or read a book. Sip some tea. Learn to enjoy relaxation. It's important to be able to do that.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    For me it's the psychological as well as the physiological issue in your lifestyle that is intensely concerning

    You already know the importance of eating adequate calories and taking rest days, neither of which you do

    But your psychological need to "get your steps in" on rest day is symptomatic of your overall mental health issues

    I'm posting this, not because I believe you are going to listen, but just to be clear to anyone else who is on the same path

    If your body was a car you wouldn't keep driving it for miles and miles on fuel vapours with no oil in the tank every single day without any maintenance and expect it to be a great little runner

    I don't know how else to convince you to seek professional help
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    cushman5279 wrote: »
    Bshmerlie wrote: »
    Let me ask you this....why not take a rest day? It's not going to hinder your progress. It can only help your muscles.

    Good question. I don't have the answer other than I get anxious when I'm not active.

    Right, and that's not normal - so maybe it's time to talk to someone about how you're feeling and your relationship with exercise/food. It can't hurt, right? :)
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    I read an article that compared pro cyclists to normal cyclists. A normal cyclist has an off day and doesn't ride a bicycle. A pro cyclist rides fifteen miles on an off day. According to the article, you recover better by doing some activity, just not as much as you normally do.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    rest is where recovery happens...recovery is where you make fitness gains. i don't look at as I do or do not need rest because of some arbitrary feeling...i look at rest days as an integral part of improving my fitness and letting my body recover. over-train injuries suck and you'll be on you *kitten* for more than a day when that eventually happens...and it will...ask me how i know.

    you almost sound like an exercise bulimic rather than someone who actually wants to be healthy and fit.
    Exercise bulimia is a subset of the psychological disorder called bulimia in which a person is compelled to exercise in an effort aimed at burning the calories of food energy and fat reserves to an excessive level that negatively affects their health.

    you should maybe get some help with that...it's not a healthy mindset at all.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    TimothyFish wrote: »
    I read an article that compared pro cyclists to normal cyclists. A normal cyclist has an off day and doesn't ride a bicycle. A pro cyclist rides fifteen miles on an off day. According to the article, you recover better by doing some activity, just not as much as you normally do.

    Are you paying attention? This woman needs help to not push herself. Perhaps you should read everything in the thread before posting.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    mccindy72 wrote: »
    TimothyFish wrote: »
    I read an article that compared pro cyclists to normal cyclists. A normal cyclist has an off day and doesn't ride a bicycle. A pro cyclist rides fifteen miles on an off day. According to the article, you recover better by doing some activity, just not as much as you normally do.

    Are you paying attention? This woman needs help to not push herself. Perhaps you should read everything in the thread before posting.

    While worded poorly, I think he was saying that a light walk would be fine if she can't handle being completely inactive, but to not do more than that. I could be wrong.

    OP, I agree with @cwolfman13. Over use injuries are common and take a LONG time to heal from. If you can't "scare" yourself into taking rest days using that train of thought then my next suggestion is to practice meditation on your rest day. Lay down completely still in a quiet place and picture every muscle in your body resting and repairing and consider this your "mental" workout. Rationalize that by being inactive ONE day a week (to begin with) will allow you to continue to keep up with your current activity schedule. If not, at some point, it WILL catch up to you.
  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    For me it's the psychological as well as the physiological issue in your lifestyle that is intensely concerning

    You already know the importance of eating adequate calories and taking rest days, neither of which you do

    But your psychological need to "get your steps in" on rest day is symptomatic of your overall mental health issues

    I'm posting this, not because I believe you are going to listen, but just to be clear to anyone else who is on the same path

    If your body was a car you wouldn't keep driving it for miles and miles on fuel vapours with no oil in the tank every single day without any maintenance and expect it to be a great little runner

    I don't know how else to convince you to seek professional help

    ALL.OF.THIS.RIGHT.HERE!


  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I would also add that a rest day doesn't mean you have to just sit on your *kitten*...I have a 3 y.o. and a 5 y.o. at home...there's no such thing as sitting on my *kitten* doing nothing. On my rest days I still take the dog for a walk...I will still walk around the zoo with my kids...I will still play with them at the park. I'm just resting from deliberate, moderate to vigorous exercise.
  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    I read that most boxers, UFC and MMA fighters train five days and take two days off with just light walks or whatever on their rest days
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    cushman5279 wrote: »
    I read that most boxers, UFC and MMA fighters train five days and take two days off with just light walks or whatever on their rest days

    So do that. When you've posted before, you've talked about working out again. Don't do any 'workout' on your rest days, just the kids or the dog on a nice walk.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    cushman5279 wrote: »
    I read that most boxers, UFC and MMA fighters train five days and take two days off with just light walks or whatever on their rest days

    i work around a lot of professional/semi-professional athletes...they also work in seasons...they don't train balls year around...they also take weeks off here and there...yeah...full rest WEEKS.

    really, if you've already made up your mind here, I see little point in dialog.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    cushman5279 wrote: »
    I read that most boxers, UFC and MMA fighters train five days and take two days off with just light walks or whatever on their rest days

    And yet you're not resting. Or eating anywhere close to an adequate amount of food for your activity level. You're in complete denial and I'm not sure there's anything anyone here can say that you will listen to. Your posting of threads at this point is pointless. Come back when it's not about trying to justify what you clearly know is a problem.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Or keep posting

    Tell us what changes you've made just for today?

    What are you doing to help heal yourself?
  • iLoveMyPitbull1225
    iLoveMyPitbull1225 Posts: 1,690 Member
    I agree I don't like taking rest days. I feel lazy. So, maybe take a nice long walk. Dance. Something fun to keep you moving but not overdoing it. :)
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    iLoveMyPitbull1225 wrote: »
    I agree I don't like taking rest days. I feel lazy. So, maybe take a nice long walk. Dance. Something fun to keep you moving but not overdoing it. :)

    I'm pretty sure you don't net negative to a few hundred calories and workout for 2 or 4 hours a day. Please be careful where you direct your well-meaning advice.
  • se015
    se015 Posts: 583 Member
    I think some of us are being too critical of others on here. Calling the OP out on repeating his questions is not going to help him or make him feel better, I understand that you guys are being upfront and real with him, which is great, but he clearly did not get the guidance he was looking for in the past...

    Anyways for the OP, it's hard for me to say because I have no problems just laying back and relaxing, but some people do have a hard time sitting still. I think if you move around it's fine just don't do anything intense. Walking is fine, I wouldn't walk more than 2 miles honestly but nothing wrong with a walk around, especially now that it's summer! Don't over think, let your body communicate with you, I think that like what was said earlier holds true, if your body needs to rest, it will rest. Just curious how many hours of sleep do you get each night, try and get 8 or 9, I know with busy lives that's nearly impossible, but if you can't sit still during the day at least you can get a solid recovery through your hours of sleeping. Just a thought.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    cushman5279 wrote: »
    I can't remember if I posted something like this before, I'm sure the topic has come up so forgive me if I am duplicating.

    Just wondering if anyone else has a real problem with rest days. I made a commitment to decrease the amount of exercise I do, increase my calories and really commit to an actual rest day. In the past my rest days consisted of just one class (between a 300-500 calorie burn), vs. over a thousand. But I know that I have to have a real rest from cardio, cross fit, MMA and weight lifting. I know I am never giving my body the time to truly recover and I am not re-feeding or anything like that. I've been trying to work in "active" rest days where I don't work out but will take my pup on a long walk... like an hour or so to at least get the steps in.

    The problem I have is I don't physically feel like I need to rest! I struggle with forcing myself to not workout or go for a run or lift, etc.

    Do we absolutely have to have a rest day?

    I used to just keep going until my body told me it needed the rest... I'd have a day where I felt like I had cement blocks on my feet legit! That would become my rest day. It wasn't planned.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks

    You're doing awesome - just drop weight as fast as you can no matter what you have to go through or what the consequences might be. It's all about the fastest weight loss possible and you're nailing it, girl!!
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    edited July 2015
    Do you relate to many of the following:
      • Missing important events, like school, work or social functions, in order to exercise • Exercising several hours a day • Exercising most days without taking a break • Exercising when they are sick, exhausted or injured • Feeling deeply depressed, agitated or anxious when they can’t work out • Suffering from health problems such as dehydration, exhaustion, injuries, osteoporosis, arthritis • Isolating from others • Overly focused on appearance • Overly self-critical • Amenorrhea (when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops, which can contribute to severe bone loss and reproductive problems)

    If so, then please consider seeking professional advice.

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