The Fit Skool

by Kelly

Rest & Recovery

| 2 Comments

Rest & Recovery is so important when following an intense training program… and I am happy to say today is my off day. I have been go-go-go with my workouts this week so I am excited for a day of relaxation.

I am a good sore from my boot camp class last night. I feel it all over but I am not too sore where it will effect my daily tasks ;)

As a former athlete I have realized the importance of taking rest and recovery seriously. If we don’t there is a risk of overtraining and injury. I have experienced overtraining and it really effects the body in a negative way. Here are some symptoms of not taking rest and recovery days:

  • fatigue that lasts more then usual and can be chronic
  • you describe your workouts as draining and not energy boosting
  • you don’t get proper sleep, or are over tired
  • you aren’t able to perform as well as you used to, in the gym you might notice you can’t lift as heavy as you used to or you get tired easier

When I played softball in college I experienced overtraining. On my “OFF DAYS” or days we didn’t have practice I put in extra hours in the gym. I would go to the weight room and lift extra and then I would run extra outside (sprints or long distance running). I thought this would put me at the top and give me an advantage but it didn’t. I was more tired and I felt that I couldn’t keep up. All my extra hard work wasn’t working. I soon realized I just had to work 110% on the assigned practice and game days and then let me body recover on the days we weren’t training.

With this approach I achieved faster results. 

Now that I am not playing a sport I use the same method in the gym and with my work schedule. As much as I would love to teach classes all week long it isn’t realistic. I need rest to keep going and to get stronger.

Nutrition also plays an important role in this process…. blog post to come on this topic!!!!

SOOOO all this talk about rest and recovery means I am going to entertain Miss Ava with lots of smiles & kisses. I am back to work on Monday so I am taking advantage of this lovely relaxing day. HAPPY FRIDAY!

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Author: Kelly @ The Fit Skool

I’m Kelly, a NASM personal trainer and group instructor, a former athlete, a wife and soon to be mommy. Health and Fitness is my passion and I am excited to share this journey with you!

2 Comments

  1. Seriously – Ava is one of the cutest baby girls I have ever seen. She is beautiful. I want to kiss those little cheeks! Really – not even just saying that because that is what everyone says about babies – you should put her in some baby modeling competition. :)

    And I couldn’t agree more about rest and recovery days. I have found that I actually run faster and I enjoy my runs SO much more when I take days off…and I mean take them totally off…I used to think, “well – it is my off day so I’ll hop on the elliptical or take a spin class.” But when I really let my body rest for a day I feel much more energized during my next workout/run.

    • Aw thanks Ashley you are so sweet, Ava is a doll! I love her cheeks too.

      My rest day might turn into 2 days. My quads are still soooo sore haha. Although sometimes it does feel better to move and get the muscles loose rather then take 2 days in a row off.

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