I Can't Seem to Take a Day Off!!

[princessbear]

So, I just looked at my WM calendar and realize I've worked out 12 days in a row! Granted, alot of it has been cardio with leg workouts every 3 days (not-so-patiently waiting until I can do upper body post-shoulder surgery - hopefully by the end of this week PT will tell me to start in on light upper body).

Does anyone else NOT take days off? If I were doing more weight workouts I would definitely throw in at least one rest day a week, but I am trying to keep myself in a groove...

Opinions wanted - do you folks think I'm doing more harm than good with no rest days? I'm trying to talk myself into sleeping in tomorrow and taking a day off but that other voice is telling me "You can do legs again tomorrow - L&G is just waiting for you". My weight is staying the same right now - within 1-2 lbs up or down ... I still have about 5 lbs that I want to lose and know that will come off quicker once I can do full weight workouts.

Thanks for your input!

 

[bitmover]

Just went nine days without a break, but took one today the 10th day (yoga for me). I'm curious to hear what people say here -- I normally do yoga on my rest day which is one day a week, but I'm really wanting to start using kettlebell swings as cardio, and wondering how bad (if at all) it would be to do weight work one day, then the next day kettlebell swings, and then weight work the following day. Opinions?

thanks,
-Beth

 

[Gayle]

Opinions wanted - do you folks think I'm doing more harm than good with no rest days? I'm trying to talk myself into sleeping in tomorrow and taking a day off but that other voice is telling me "You can do legs again tomorrow - L&G is just waiting for you". My weight is staying the same right now - within 1-2 lbs up or down ... I still have about 5 lbs that I want to lose and know that will come off quicker once I can do full weight workouts.

Thanks for your input!

Yes, I most definitely think you're doing more harm than good...from both a physical and mental perspective.

IMO you're setting yourself up for injury.

Here's a link to a supporting article:
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sampleworkouts/a/RestandRecovery.htm

 

[princessbear]

Thanks for the link, Gayle. I guess I feel that if I'm not lifting then I'm not placing too much stress on my body - but if I'm doing b*lls to the wall cardio 7 days a week, with the leg workouts thrown in 2-3 times a week - well I'm not doing myself any good and will probably aggravate (okay, it is already acting up a bit) my piriformis/sciatica problem - which is easily remedied by more stretching. Sooo.... that being said - tomorrow will be a very low key walk on the treadmill to get the juices flowing and some stretching....And since I am usually up later on Monday nights then I will sleep in on Tuesday and take that day off completely.

 

[MarieCLS]

I have gone some weeks where I don't want to take a break day but usually add something low intensity. For example, some days it's the floor work & abs from Butts & Guts instead of a complete rest. I don't typically find it overtaxing. However, if you ever DO feel exhaustion either mentally or physically, that's a sign to back off.

 

[princessbear]

The thing is - I don't FEEL overworked or overtaxed or overtired. I feel great actually ... tomorrow will be low intensity though...

 

[MarieCLS]

I would say if you like what you're doing and feel fine, just be sure to vary what you do to not overtrain and include a lot of good, thorough stretches.

 

[lcobb2]

The thing is - I don't FEEL overworked or overtaxed or overtired. I feel great actually ... tomorrow will be low intensity though...

ITA. Go with how you feel. My "rest" days are yoga. However, if I am completely spent (rare) I will take a day off. Thursday will likely be a complete rest day for me as I have a doctor's appointment along with training clients and a full day at work. If you have the energy, your appetite is still okay, your resting heart rate is not elevated, etc. you should be fine. Also, if you're cross-training, it's unlikely that you'll get an overuse injury.

 

[randidiane]

IMO I think rest days are extremely important. Even though your not tired or wore out, your body and muscles need that full 24 hr recovery time To repair ! My 7th day is always my rest day. Also I take a full week off 2 or 3 times a year. I just got done with my rest week a couple days ago. Started working out yesterday and i just feel so much stronger and energetic. Nothing changes for me as far as gaining weight or muscle loss.
HTH
Randi