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Rest days?

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derek1237654
derek1237654 Posts: 234 Member
in Debate Club
I dont take rest days. I just do cardio and stretching on my non strength training days. Ill rest when im dead.

Replies

  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,874 Member
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    Rest days are when recovery happens...recovery is where you make your fitness gains. If you're doing strenuous exercise you should take rest days...a rest day also doesn't mean sitting around doing nothing. I do yoga and walk on my rest days.

    I train for century and 1/2 century rides and it would be counterproductive to not take rest days and I simply wouldn't perform as well.

    But hey...whatever floats your boat.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,126 Member
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    What cwolfman13 said. Rest days are when not only recovery, but progress is made. If you work out too hard on rest days, you will hinder your progress long term. I am finding this very obvious as I start training for a century as well. If I push things without rest days, I do not see the same improvements in my progress as I do when I take rest days. It sounds all badass to say, "I'll rest when I'm dead.", but it isn't smart training and makes injuries far more likely and progress all that much slower.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    edited April 2016
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    derek1237654 wrote: »
    I dont take rest days. I just do cardio and stretching on my non strength training days. Ill rest when im dead.

    No problem with that. I get the impression the OP isn't killing it on the non-lifting days.

    @cwolfman13 and @rileysowner I would agree if you are training hard in a single activity doing an alternate activity, i.e, rest from the bike gets more important. If someone is doing a variety of activities, not as big a deal. You can be active, just dial things back a bit.

    Listen to your body.
  • derek1237654
    derek1237654 Posts: 234 Member
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    Thanks how do i deal with not going to the gym as i have a constant overwhelming desire to workout not just everday but more than once a day. In fact i was just out for dinner and dancing last nite and all i could think about is that i wished they had some barbells at the casino i was at. The reason i feel this way is because it has worked so well to treat my depression i dont want to slow down
  • Pinkylee77
    Pinkylee77 Posts: 432 Member
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    derek1237654 wrote: »
    Thanks how do i deal with not going to the gym as i have a constant overwhelming desire to workout not just everday but more than once a day. In fact i was just out for dinner and dancing last nite and all i could think about is that i wished they had some barbells at the casino i was at. The reason i feel this way is because it has worked so well to treat my depression i dont want to slow down

    Sounds like you just traded on issue for an other
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
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    Recovery is just as important as working out. There's also a difference between a rest day and being sedentary.
  • StuartMSimmons
    StuartMSimmons Posts: 3 Member
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    I do 32 minutes a day at what MFP indicates is a 'light' effort. So I do not take a rest day. I do alternate days between stationary and weights.
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
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    Maybe target different muscle groups on alternate days, so you do rest your muscles but not your body or mind? Or try something completely different on rest days, like playing a sport like tennis or swimming, or something that you've never done before.
  • distinctlybeautiful
    distinctlybeautiful Posts: 1,041 Member
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    I can relate to wanting to go every day because it improves my mood. I can't, however, relate to dying to be there when I'm doing something else enjoyable. Have you ever talked to a doctor about your depression? Sounds like it might be a good idea because while exercise does amazing things for depression, a constant overwhelming desire to exercise isn't exactly healthy either.
  • Marycycles
    Marycycles Posts: 48 Member
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    derek1237654 wrote: »
    Thanks how do i deal with not going to the gym as i have a constant overwhelming desire to workout not just everday but more than once a day. In fact i was just out for dinner and dancing last nite and all i could think about is that i wished they had some barbells at the casino i was at. The reason i feel this way is because it has worked so well to treat my depression i dont want to slow down

    What you are experiencing is called runners high. Not everyone gets it, not even my husband whose has ran seven! It's what drives people to do triathlons and do ultra marathons. I am like that. Listen to your body and if you are sore do not push it! It will cause injury and you will miss weeks!

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