A Day Off?

[jen_1381 446]

How often is everyone exercising?

I've gotten conflicted information between my WLS team. My psychologist said that doing something active every day is best. My dietician said 4-5 days a week. So, I went with what I could work with, and that's 7 days a week no matter what. I don't take a day off from exercise, but I do change up my routine. I flip between a 4 mile outside jog, hitting the elliptical, treadmill, and yoga ball, or the Xbox Kinect routines. Some part of my body is always sore depending on what I've been doing the day prior. I've always been an "all-or-nothing" girl though, and feel like if I skip a day it will be easier to talk myself out of working out and into a nap way too easily.

My husband keeps persisting that I take a day off (when he sees me limp upstairs, ice my hip, or cringe when I raise my arms!). I do have a problem with my right hip but found that going to the chiropractor 1-2 times a week helps...but my husband thinks it wouldn't hurt if I gave myself a break every now and then. So I'm torn!

[NWgirl 574]

How often is everyone exercising?

I've gotten conflicted information between my WLS team. My psychologist said that doing something active every day is best. My dietician said 4-5 days a week. So' date=' I went with what I could work with, and that's 7 days a week no matter what. I don't take a day off from exercise, but I do change up my routine. I flip between a 4 mile outside jog, hitting the elliptical, treadmill, and yoga ball, or the Xbox Kinect routines. Some part of my body is always sore depending on what I've been doing the day prior. I've always been an "all-or-nothing" girl though, and feel like if I skip a day it will be easier to talk myself out of working out and into a nap way too easily.

My husband keeps persisting that I take a day off (when he sees me limp upstairs, ice my hip, or cringe when I raise my arms!). I do have a problem with my right hip but found that going to the chiropractor 1-2 times a week helps...but my husband thinks it wouldn't hurt if I gave myself a break every now and then. So I'm torn![/quote']

Usually it is recommended that you take a day or two rest each week because the muscles need rest so they can repair. This does not mean you couldn't do a light walk on these days, but I'd refrain from anything too strenuous.

[Jachut 487]

Im a fanatic snd i run very long distances now or i do a body pump and spin class back to back. At that kevel, i truly need a day or two rest per week, if i dont, i cant keep going.

I just go for a walk on tose days off ( i dont consider walking exercise any more, lol) or even do nothing.

But im maintaining and that pattern of a huuuuge run followed by a recovery day works ok for that. My focus is on performance not weight loss. If i need to lose now and again, i definitely do the following:

More running, five days a week, less spinning, one or two days

Lower intensity, longer duration

Only one days rest

If youre really struggling but want to keep up the days, make some days more easy and gentle on your body. You shouldny be in pain and you do need recovery.

[brenty 27]

Really it is a matter of personal taste and your goals. My wife and I try to work out every day, and then we skip as exceptions are needed -- which is more often lately with our schedules.

When I started getting serious, I was shooting for 3-4 days a week. That's what many medical and fitness advocates recommend. I think, though, that this is partially to avoid turning off inactive people completely: to go from 0 to 60 is daunting; it is much more palatable to ease into a more active lifestyle.

So when my wife and I work out 7 days a week, that isn't to say we're busting our butts. For us, it's just a matter of routine. When we were less consistent, we were SUPER inconsistent. If we make it a habit, we're much better about keeping it up. It's like brushing our teeth.

Regarding recovery, super athletic people I work with don't really struggle with this. There are a couple ways to recover. Over time your body will repair itself. That's a given. But the other option is to lessen the recovery time needed, almost to the point of being negligible -- depending on the scenario -- by giving your body extra Vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and -- most significantly -- Protein to rebuild muscle tissue.

It's like a brick house. If you demolish it, you can rebuild it by making more bricks yourself and repairing the structure; or you can stockpile bricks ahead of time and then move them into place as needed. It isn't 'no recovery' exactly, but it really makes a huge difference.