Rest Days

Since I revamped my workout routines and started getting back to what works, I have been killing it with the cardio, lifting and yoga. I've been eating well, counting my calories and drinking water like crazy!

I was so tired last night and had mentioned to you guys about having a headache yesterday. Well when I woke up feeling pretty awful today, I realized something. I haven't taken a rest day in 9 days. Not only that but I have been doing 2-3 workouts every single one of those days. I've been so motivated, I forgot to rest. So upon waking up feeling horrible, I designated today an official rest day! Easier said than done...

I've had to keep reminding myself throughout the day today how important rest days are. I am itching to do something but I am sore, and exhausted. I haven't taken a day off since Tuesday of last week so I know I need it.


Resting is  especially difficult when you are really motivated and have stuck to your fitness goals to a T, sometimes it can be a bit of a head game to take an off day. I've battled back and forth with myself all day...

"Am I really that tired?"

"Do I really NEED a rest or is this something I should battle through?"

"In college I never took rest days..."

"I could just do a light 30 min jog...that would still be resting right?"

"Ohhh it hurts to bend over."

"My bed sounds good right about now."

"Seriously though, am I really that tired?"

Sometimes we forget that resting is actually a critical part of the progress. We have to learn to embrace rest days and enjoy them. Resting allows our bodies to heal, muscle to grow and repair. It also allows us to regain energy, strength, stamina for days to come. You see, we aren't actually building muscle, getting leaner while we are working out, it's during the rest that our cells are repairing and growing back stronger.

Here's the tricky thing about rest days- Even when you don't want to (or feel you need to) take them, you should. Rest days need to be a regular part of training. If you don't take them often enough, you will end up needing more, or end up on permanent rest due to injury, over training etc. Take it from someone who has become a victim of over training before. I know what a hard truth this is. The injuries/diseases you can prevent by taking a few simple rest days are more than worth it.

And so...despite my less than relaxed mind, I am taking a rest day. Work will be followed by an (easy) Fittie Pup walk and Candlelight Relax and Restore Class. Hopefully this will rejuvenate me and get my body feeling good for tomorrows workouts! I'm already getting anxious for them.

Tell us, how often do you take rest days?