What is a day off for you?

M

Muffin Top

Cathlete
I know I'm supposed to take a day off, but working out is sort of like taking a shower for me. I just don't feel awake if I don't do it. Would doing something easier--like just a 20 minute walk and a little stretch still be considered a "day off"? Also, if I have one or two "easy" days a week (20 minutes strength or 30 min. low impact aerobics), do I still need a rest day?
 
IMHO you should take 1 rest day per week from a vigorous exercise schedule. If you are not working out hard every day then I feel it's okay to bypass that rule if you wish to. Some folks here have talked about taking "active rest days" where they would do yoga, pilates or take a walk instead of TOTALLY resting.

I generally work out pretty hard 6 days per week and rest for 1. I don't intentionally take any "active" rest days but sometimes on my day off I may happen to take my son out for a walk or something and that is fine. I still consider it my rest day.

IMO the bottom line is that you must listen to your body and give it a rest when it needs one.
 
I'm doing an "every day in April" challenge, so I don't have any days completely 'off,' but I'm flexible in what I consider "a workout." 3 sets of 20 reps of a resistance exercise, or 10 minutes of yoga or cardio, or a stretch workout, all count in my scheme of things. I make sure to alternate these lighter days with tougher days.

I'm not sure if everyone needs a "rest" day, but we all do need "recovery," however you define that (as days completely off, as more restorative workouts like stretches or hatha yoga, as very light activity like non-speed walking).
 
I'm embarrassed to say how lazy I can be on my day off. LOL!

There was a time when I would feel guilty for not working out everyday. But, those days are over.
 
I don't tend to like my "day off" either and pretty much have to make myself not workout, but there have been weeks when I workout all 7 days and by half way through the second straight week my body really feels it. It just feels worn out and achy, so now I do my best to take a full rest day. Although stretching can be a great thing to do on a day off.

Katie
 
I always take Sunday's as a rest day, no matter what the previous weeks workouts were (if I missed one).

I stretch every morning when I get out of bed by doing a few yoga moves and general stretching...probably 10-15 minutes. I then do 15 push ups, 15 crunches and 15 reverse crunches, flip over and hold a plank for as long as I can, which is usually until a child comes into my bedroom needing help dressing...if time allows, I'll also do some Supermans.

This is my daily routine every single day regardless of workout planned for the day, and has been since I was 15 years old. Not the planks...they hadn't been invented back in the seventies!

But on a Sunday, that is the only scripted exercise I do. I may go to the Y with my kids and H and play basketball or swim, but not anything intense. Sunday is family day.:)
 
I used to never take rest days. Thought "keep going", "no rest for the wicked". And when I finally had to take a day off due to scheduling, and just things going on in life, I found that my body jumpstarted after a day off.
It all depends what's going on for me now. If it's Sunday and I worked out the other 6 days of the week, if I have time I walk. If I have an unscheduled one during the week, so be it. I know I work hard every workout I do. So if something comes up that I have to take a day, so be it. I do find that taking a day does do something positive for us. Couldn't convince me of that in the first few months tho! LOL!

Kali


www.PictureTrail.com/kkali
 
sometimes I take the day off completely. But others I'll do just as you asked- walk or stretch. Just listen to your body for signs of overtraining. Rest is just as important in the equation as exercise is.

catherine
 
My rest day is Saturday ( today), and I take my dog to Agility class... let her run a litte ( with me beside her!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top