break from exercising...

[step22]

Cathe,
I think you've said something about how you like to take a week off every once in a while to rest, and then when you start up again, you work out better. Could you expand on this, because I can't remember exactly what your opinion was.

I've been working out pretty consistently, 3-4 days of cardio (spinning), yoga, and strength training since June 1st. These are new workouts for me since I usually do aerobics and some weights during college. I'm going on a week long vacation soon and was wondering if this would be a good time to take some time off? Thanks

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

taking a break

Yes, I think that your vacation would be a perfect time for you to take a week off from working out. Not only would you have more time to enjoy other interests during this fun week but your body would be resting, replenishing, restoring, and refueling for its return to fitness.

I bet you were getting amazing results on this program since you said that it was all new to you. And while I would normally say that 3 to 4 days of spinning might be a little too much of the same cardio activity in a fitness plan, when it is new to your body, you get great results making it your focus for about 4 to 6 weeks. So right now you are going on about 10 weeks of this rotation and perhaps noticing that your gains are leveling off. That marks a perfect time for a week off and a fresh start into a new rotation. You obviously enjoy spinning so I would suggest that you keep that in your new rotation but perhaps just 2 to 3 times per week. The other days it would be beneficial to crosstrain with other cardio activities. I would also suggest continuing with you yoga and strength training too.

You're on the right track. Keep up the great work and enjoy your vacation!