Can you function without exercising?

macska

macska

Cathlete
Hello everyone

I was just wondering... Today I decided to take an "off day". Well, I just could not wake up and put my butt into gear at all. Finally at about 12 pm I had to go down to the basement and do a little cardio about 30 min to finally feel alive. It's been months that I actually had an "off day" -- it seems that my body is just so used to doing something every day. How are you guys dealing with off days?


Mari
 
RE: Can you function without excercising?

Its good to give your body a break every now and then. In fact I usually take at least one or two days off during the week, your body needs the recovery time. But as far as skipping workouts, I agree, I don't feel as energized or good if I skip my workouts!!:)

Oh, and I definitely handle stress better because I workout!
 
RE: Can you function without excercising?

Funny you should bring this up Mari....:) I always figured myself for OCD....at least for exercising! Days off are tough as I love working out. The only times I can remember days off being okay and I know you can relate, is during marathon training. I always took off the day before my long runs. Usually the day my eating wouldn't be clean also. I figured if I was doing a 20 mile run the next day I could eat some unfavorable carbo's...:D...Carole
 
RE: Can you function without excercising?

On off days I clean the house, go for a walk with my son as he pedals his tricycle around the neighborhood, run errands... anything that keeps my body moving. Or I do the opposite -- I sleep.:) If I feel like I HAVE TO exercise, I take out the yoga mat and do some basic yoga. Feels great.:)

Pinky
 
RE: Can you function without excercising?

I have one planned rest day a week and I need it. But sometimes I do active things like walking, gardening, very casual tennis, volunteer work with animals or construction at an animal facility. If I have to take an unplanned rest day due to extreme busyness I feel all twitchy and restless and have to at least stretch or go up flights of stairs. It is amazing what you get used to.
 
RE: Can you function without excercising?

I've found myself enjoying my two scheduled rest days/week. I usually do some yoga or a light walk, housework, etc. just to stay busy. My body definitely appreciates it though.

Lori
 
RE: Can you function without excercising?

Carole, I was a lot better when I was in constant marathon training. I went as far as taking a whole week off after a marathon -- especially when it was combined with a vacation. But now, it seems I just can't function at all without some exercise.
BTW, that wonderful OCD goes a long way. I honestly don't think that anybody can be a succesful marathoner without at least a slight form of OCD.
Yes, those good old days... :(
 
RE: Can you function without excercising?

Yes Mari...the good old days....I feel exactly the same, much better when I am training. I remember the first marathon I ran...I couldn't walk without pain the first week after! I know this year started out much better than last year so that's promising. I think we should be very thankful that we can still exercise even though not marathon training...:( . Reading the other posts I realize it is very important to take a day off like they do, although OCDers have a hard time doing that...:D.....Carole
 
I can completely deal with days off!! Working M-F, cooking dinner after work, leaves very little time to do much of anything. If I don't look at excercise as a second job, I don't work out. But it's getting warmer out and my motorcycle is calling. :)
 
It is very hard to take a day off for me unless I am ill or if i can't fit it in before my night shift on friday and saturday but if I am home and feeling good nothing gets in the way it wakes me up too!
They say a day off is good for the body too
Lisa
 
I many times want to exercise on the day I have planned for rest, but I usually rest b/c I know it is good to rest your body after 6 days of intense exercise. Lately, I have been resting on an "unscheduled" rest day when I am extra tired or sore and then I rearrange my workout schedule to accomodate that rest day. That has been working nicely for me as I really need that rest day when I take it. But yes...MOST days I really want to exercise...weird huh?
Angela
 
I've always had one scheduled rest day in my workout week - my body will let me know, through soreness, muscle aches or overall lack of energy, that it's time to take off. I don't preplan what day it is, but I always need one in there.

It's odd, though - if I take off more than a day or two, my mood PLUMMETS. One of my main reason for exercise is to stave off mild depression, and as soon as I start to slack off I feel it - lethargic, grumpy, "blue", like everything is a huge effort.

So for me, there's a difference between a needed "rest day" and dogging it because I'm lazy or overschedule the rest of my life so my workouts get sidetracked for too long. Rest days re-energize me; letting workouts slide because I don't make time for them will make me moody and edgy.

I guess I can't function without exercising!
 
I would definitely LIKE to function without exercising, but I guess I don't do well without it. My mood suffers greatly, as does my self-esteem (not to mention my weight and fitness level). I've never really been addicted to exercise, except for my bicycle, although I make myself do other types of exercise regularly. It would all be worth it, though, if there were no benefits except my enjoyment of my bicycle, and of course there ARE many others.

Shari
 
My day off is as much a part of my routine as working out. I find my body really needs it and I think I do get stronger as a result. It also keeps me from becoming obsessed with working out, instead its an integral part of life.

I also find I take a week off a few times a year. Years ago a guy friend of mine who lifted heavy taught me that and it's true you do come back stronger.
 
Mari, I find I need days to recharge my mind as well as my body. Yes, I can easily function without exercise. Even Cathe herself posted once here (sorry I couldn't find the exact post to link in here) that she often takes a week or so off from lifting, and finds it helps her acheive better lifts. It's good to listen to your body and let it rest when it tells you it needs to. You won't lose anything by resting. Think of it as recharging your batteries or something. That's how I like to deal with it.

Carol
:)
 
I went for many months without taking a day off from exercising. But the more advanced I got with my workouts, the more I realized a day or 2 off during the week was only going to be beneficial to my body and helps rejuvenate me.
 
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