Rest days?

[Bunbun]

Hi everyone. Am new here; fairly new to Cathe (less than 1 yr; got addicted via Fit TV), not new to working out. Was just wondering--what does everyone do on their rest days? and do you have trouble taking a day off from working out?

I hate taking a rest day, though I schedule them weekly and force myself to do it. But I find that I'm inevitably grumpy all day, and it takes me until at least noon to wake up and start feeling like myself. Am I nuts?! Or do others get similar symptoms? Thanks!

B.

 

[Bobalita229]

I get the same way! I like to do Yoga or Pilates on my rest day.
That seems to help.

 

[truton]

I hate taking them too but they are necessary. On rest days I find a lot of things to do around the house or I take the dog for a long leisurely walk. It's not the same as a regular workout but it does take the edge off. Like you I find I get a bit antsy if I don't burn off some of the excess energy. Tomorrow is my rest day and I am planning to paint the bathroom LOL.

 

[wendymin72]

I know how ya feel! On my rest days I start to get really ansty as it approaches the time when I would normally do my work out....

~Wendy~

http://www.bullmarketer.com/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/Sports/exercise/thumb_exercise15.gif

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?WENDYMIN

 

[kathryn]

There are days when I do only yoga or stretching, and I suppose some would consider them rest days, but I consider them an integral part of my workout rotation. Other days are "off" days: listed as such on my exercise calendar. Days when I do no exercise and just recover. I limit those to 1 or 2 days a week.

 

[MariaS]

I hear ya! I have a hard time taking my rest days too, I feel extremely sluggish and grumpy the whole day too. I try to plan them for days when I'm really busy, or when I know I won't get to bed until late the evening before (since I work out in the early morning, I'll appreciate the extra time to sleep in those days). Otherwise I try to do some walking, play with the kids outside or do some easy stretching to feel better.

MariaS

 

[L Sass]

I hate them! I know they're necessary, but like everyone else, I get irritable, antsy and feel guilty when I take one. And I'm bad about taking them - usually lift weights and do cardio for 3-4 weeks before I force myself to take a day off. I know that's not good, but I feel like my workout time is my only chance for me to "regroup" and maintain my sanity (I'm a full time mom to 6, 3 and 1-yr. old and part time lawyer).

Interesting how we all value our fitness routines as much as we do. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could bottle our committment to fitness and share it with the obscene numbers of people suffering from maladies that could otherwise be reduced by some exercise?

 

[momto2bratz]

I usually do my heavy cleaning on my rest days, so I am not sitting around doing nothing. I feel like I have to keep moving. I will do some yoga or stretch in the evenings too.

Aila

 

[Rose11]

lol I love my weekly rest day! Am I the only one? It's usually on Sunday. If I do yoga or pilates I don't count it as a rest day because the workouts I own are extremely tough. I think my workouts are hard and my body needs to recover. Having one day of doing nothing helps me start the week again with enough strength to do 5-6 days of exercise. Sometimes I get achy and I walk or march in place for a couple of minutes and then I do athletic stretches for each body part, but that's about it.

 

[Bunbun]

Thanks, all--it's so great to hear I'm not crazy for feeling guilty about a rest day. I'm so glad I stumbled onto Cathe and these forums.

 

[Runcrazy]

Sometimes I do yoga or take a walk. Often though, I take my rest! Does cleaning the house count as rest???
Jo

 

[claridge]

I dont take "scheduled" rest days because sometimes my day is so hectic, I dont get a chance to workout and those days become my "rest day" by default.

Im also terrible at resting when Im sick, sore and even injured (boy! do I have a problem) but its the dreaded feeling I have of maybe gaining a couple of kilos if I dont work out, hard and often.

Sometimes though, and I must really have ants in my pants, or seem a bit moody, its my DH who says

"Would you just go for a walk or something damn you woman!!! your driving me nuts with your fidgiting"

Marion

 

[jdoll]

i wait all week for my rest day! since i am so sore all the time from being so out of shape, i love the feeling of not having to move anything.

jes

 

[dss62467]

Sometimes I do Pilates. Other times, I don't do anything but clean the house. Last week I went for a hike with my family.