HOW MANY REST DAYS DO YOU TAKE OFF?

I plan for one, but during the school year when things get busy work-wise, I sometimes need to up that. In fact, I was just thinking that, starting next week, I'm going to plan two rest days/week for the time being. Think that's more realistic with my current schedule.
 
Thanks everyone for your replys

I sometimes feel like I workout to much and when I had recently cut back to my runs 5 days a week instead of 6 days I had lost 5 pounds,Hmmmmm...........
 
dawnmh22 said:
HOW MANY REST DAYS DO YOU TAKE OFF?
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I take off whenever my body needs recovery time...If I've lifted *uber* heavy for a few days then I might take off mid week...Sometimes its every 8-10 days if I'm not pushing it (for various reasons)

I stopped living by the almighty weekly calendar 2 years ago and am much happier & still in shape. Your body doesnt respond to some magic 7 day formula...I know people who just take a 30-60 day rotation and "start" - they take rest days as needed.

*just a side note* The system doesnt work well for people who look for reasons to NOT workout tho!;)
 
I have Thursday planned as my weekly rest day, but it seems that every other week my body decides it wants Friday also. :rolleyes: I have yoga as an option on my rest days but mostly I don't exercise at all. Thursday is the end of my week and by then I'm ready for a nap.
 
I have been taking more rest days than I ever have in my life and honestly I've never been in better shape. I have made major changes to how I exercise lately. I have put my focus on yoga and aim to practice yoga every single day. On days when I feel very tired it may only consist of a 20 minute session of pranayama and meditation, however on other days (maybe twice per week) it may consist of 1.5 to 2 hours of intense vinyasa style yoga. The rest of the week averages 45 - 60 minute yoga sessions. I have cut my weight training back to one day per week and fit in 25 - 30 minutes of cardio about 3x/week. I haven't been this fit and happy in years. I started following Dr. Joel Fuhrman's "Eat to Live" diet about one year ago and that also has helped my energy levels.

I will be honest -- while my muscles are still quite defined, they are not as large as they were when I was lifting heavy 4-5 times per week. I am okay with that though. When I was training that way I found that I was only training to change how I looked in the mirror and how I looked to other people. Even though I only lift once per week, I haven't lost any strength -- which I am guessing is due to the weight bearing work in yoga. I was still able to pump out 50 push-ups on my toes yesterday and I remember the day (before Cathe) when I couldn't do a single push-up. I haven't done any isolation moves for biceps or triceps now for about a year -- I always skip those on my Cathe DVDs and just focus on Chest, Back, Legs and a bit of shoulders. I find that the I still have definition in my biceps and triceps which assist when working the bigger muscle groups.

Although I don't think I have lost any strength, I have definitely lost pounds. I am at a weight that I haven't been at since highschool (I am 32). I am 5'4" and before starting Eat To Live I usually weighed 135 - 140. After doing P90X and Cathe I got down to about 125. After starting Eat To Live, I averaged a weight of 120. Ever since changing up my recent workouts to less traditional training and more yoga I am down to 112. I am definitely not trying to lose weight, it just seems to be a by product of what is going on in my life. Yoga itself does not cause me to lose weight, but it has caused a shift in my awareness. I feel more aware and present when keeping a regular yoga practice which honestly stops me from my past habits of mindless snacking.

Sorry I am rambling on and on -- I am just very happy with the life changes I have made. Yoga has helped me do a better job of living in the present moment and with enjoying life. I am applying for a 10 month teacher training course that starts in February! Yay!

Monica
 
Monica- WOW!

What an inspiring & thoughtful post! How fabulous for you! Makes we want to do one of the 30 Yoga DVDS I have! ;)

Seriously- you are an inspiration to finding what works for mind, body & spirit. I applaud you for staying open to the diversity that is avaialble for health & wellness. Thanks for taking the time to share your story.

Traci

moni_stout said:
I have been taking more rest days than I ever have in my life and honestly I've never been in better shape. I have made major changes to how I exercise lately. I have put my focus on yoga and aim to practice yoga every single day. On days when I feel very tired it may only consist of a 20 minute session of pranayama and meditation, however on other days (maybe twice per week) it may consist of 1.5 to 2 hours of intense vinyasa style yoga. The rest of the week averages 45 - 60 minute yoga sessions. I have cut my weight training back to one day per week and fit in 25 - 30 minutes of cardio about 3x/week. I haven't been this fit and happy in years. I started following Dr. Joel Fuhrman's "Eat to Live" diet about one year ago and that also has helped my energy levels.

I will be honest -- while my muscles are still quite defined, they are not as large as they were when I was lifting heavy 4-5 times per week. I am okay with that though. When I was training that way I found that I was only training to change how I looked in the mirror and how I looked to other people. Even though I only lift once per week, I haven't lost any strength -- which I am guessing is due to the weight bearing work in yoga. I was still able to pump out 50 push-ups on my toes yesterday and I remember the day (before Cathe) when I couldn't do a single push-up. I haven't done any isolation moves for biceps or triceps now for about a year -- I always skip those on my Cathe DVDs and just focus on Chest, Back, Legs and a bit of shoulders. I find that the I still have definition in my biceps and triceps which assist when working the bigger muscle groups.

Although I don't think I have lost any strength, I have definitely lost pounds. I am at a weight that I haven't been at since highschool (I am 32). I am 5'4" and before starting Eat To Live I usually weighed 135 - 140. After doing P90X and Cathe I got down to about 125. After starting Eat To Live, I averaged a weight of 120. Ever since changing up my recent workouts to less traditional training and more yoga I am down to 112. I am definitely not trying to lose weight, it just seems to be a by product of what is going on in my life. Yoga itself does not cause me to lose weight, but it has caused a shift in my awareness. I feel more aware and present when keeping a regular yoga practice which honestly stops me from my past habits of mindless snacking.

Sorry I am rambling on and on -- I am just very happy with the life changes I have made. Yoga has helped me do a better job of living in the present moment and with enjoying life. I am applying for a 10 month teacher training course that starts in February! Yay!

Monica
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