Don't Forget Your Rest Days

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Rest days. Those of us that love the gym (or soccer, or rock climbing, you name it) know we need to do them, but often have a hard time. 

While working hard and pushing ourselves is excellent, we must rest to recover and reach our goals. When we rest, we give our body time to repair and restore our muscles. It's during rest that our muscles grow, and we make the most physical progress. So, if we know resting helps us reach our goals, why is it so hard for some of us to take a day off?  

How to Make the best of REST

Try these strategies to enjoy rest days as much as your workouts:

  • Changed the way you view rest days. Instead of seeing rest days as a negative, I see it as a day to honor my body and appreciate all it does for me. This simple shift in mindset has changed my way of thinking. As a result, I've reached my fitness goals, experienced less stress, and felt happier!  
  • Substitute your gym time with another form of me time.  This can mean hobbies, time with loved ones, or practicing gratitude
  • Active recovery can help.  If you really can't sit still, try out foam rolling, stretching, gentle cardio, or mobility drills.  You can still move, but we want to ensure that intensity is reduced enough that your body can heal. If your workout split suggests two rest days, you can try substituting one of them with active recovery and see how your body reacts.
  • What else would recharge you, and leave you even more ready to get back in the gym the next day?

Take some time this week to slow down and appreciate your rest day. Your body works so hard for you every day. It's time for you to return the favor and give it the love it deserves!

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