Why Does a Week Have To Be 7 Days?

S

Soosan

Cathlete
After doing yoga and Pilates only for almost 5 weeks during my vacation, seeing improvement in my abdominal area, and feeling more energetic than usual, I've been thinking of ways to fit more of these types of exercise into my rotations. A typical rotation of mine consists of weight work for each body part 2x/wk, intense cardio (including a circuit workout) 3x/wk and power yoga 1x/wk. In addition, I usually sub 10-15 min of yoga for Cathe's stretches and try to fit in some Pilates whenever I can.

What I've decided to do for a while is to extend my week to 9 days and do something like the following:

SUN: PUB + Yoga Stretch
MON: PLB + 10 min Pilates
TUE: Interval Cardio + Yoga Stretch
WED: Power Yoga
THU: Pilates + Short Intense Cardio
FRI: Total Body Weights + Yoga Stretch
SAT: Rest
SUN: Cardio or Circuit + 10 min Pilates
MON: Power Yoga

Will the Fitness Powers That Be strike me down? Will I continue to make progress in my annoying abdominal area? Will I feel more energetic rather than tired? Will I be able to make strength gains in my scrawny ecto-body? Stay tuned...

I'm interested in everyone's thoughts. Thanks!:)
 
Hello.

I like your idea of a "longer week". I too find that it is hard to fit Pilates/Yoga into a regular week, unless you double up on particular day. The only problem I see with your rotation is the number of days between the Pyramids and your next weight workout (I think it was five days for upper body). My understanding is that to maintain muscle mass and build strength you shouldn't let more than three days go by between weight workouts. Perhaps you could switch your Thursday and Friday plans. That lessens the gap a bit.

Just don't start making the work week any longer. Five days is enough for me!!

Take Care,
Shelbygirl
 
I agree. I am not totally inflexible about my weeks either. I just add on "whatever I need next" and am looking more to make sure everything gets covered every 7-12 days, basically.
 
It's brilliant!!! I've been trying to figure out how to insert a yoga, a pilates and even a taichi! A longer week is exactly the answer I've been needing. Ooohh, I've got to get to work on my new rotation!
 
It is ingenius! Exactly the combo I am going to have to work out with my P90X's and Cathe!! I disagree with Shelbygirl though and think that you should leave the rotation as is. Let's not forget there is arm work in power yoga. Also, you have many days to go without rest so I would not push it. Good Luck!!
 
You know, it is funny too. Today I did a lighter Minna Lessig workout and thought it was really "fun" for a change, but wondered why the weeks have to be so short because I just CANNOT fit in all the workouts I want to do!!

I am loving P90X, but find that when I do the routines, and push my hardest, I am too sore to do something like Yoga or stretching the following day!! I really don't know how the others do it. Even with Cathe, if I use heavy weight I simply cannot stretch those muscles the next day!! OUCH!! Usually, I feel like I am about 90 years old the next day (or two, or three) after an intense weight workout. BUT, if I don't use the heavy weights, I feel like I am not being challenged enough, so it is a catch-22, you know?


Anyway, I will be starting school soon and with working as well I want to try to break all these great workouts down so that I still can stay in great shape, but also get in all components of fitness in one week. I want a little yoga, little pilates, a good amount of cardio, some great strength training (ala P90X, I don't miss Cathe strength at all right now), and stretching...Everytime I try to get up a rotation I end up being sore and giving up a day, but I feel like if I don't "plan it out" then I end up missing out on some component.

I would be interested in a rotation like Susan's but using P90X for the strength components (even if I do only Round 1 or 1/2 of a tape) and blending all of the workout types I have mentioned above. Can anyone come up with something like that?


I think I am also going to come up with emergency sub-in "lazy week" rotations where if I just don't have the energy to push for P90X, I can sub in some gentler, easier workouts.


Minna Lessig made me feel strong today. I did Strength and Grace. It must be beginner, cuz it was pretty easy. Just enough stretching so I did not feel like a tight rubber band. Very nice.


Oh well. I guess there are just not enough hours in the week!! Plus, I work out with several other people and they do what I do, so I try to fit all the important things in Mon-Fri, which makes it tougher....
 
Thanks, everyone! I agree with Janice that the length of time between PUB and my next weight workout probably won't be a problem because power yoga really works the upper body. I SLOWLY started getting back into a weights/cardio/yoga routine this week and found I had lost some strength in my lower body but none in my upper. I'm sure it's due to all of the yoga because my upper body is not known for it's bulk and strength! I had to go 10 lbs lighter for most lower body exercises and my legs and butt were VERY sore for the next three days, but my upper body was not.

I'd be really interested to see any rotations you all have come up with if you decide to extend your week as well. I'm going to continue with my recovery week this week (Push/Pull, Christi Taylor and yoga) and I'll start Sunday with my above rotation.
 
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