Rest day confusion?

[mom23kgirls]

Hi there

I'm wondering if I"m 'overdoing it"...I have been working out 5 days a week consec. for 6 weeks now.
My normal schedule is
Mon 45 min cradio ( jog/run intervals and 15%incline hill climbing)
either followed by or before hand I also do weights LEGS for 20-30 minutes to fatigue

Tues- 45-60 min of cardio..treadmill same as above

Weds cardio same and ARMS weight training 20-30 min to fatgue

Thursday cardio 45-60 min treadmill same as above

Friday Cardio 45-60 min weights LEGS

The next week I alternate and start the week with arms

but I have lost nothing in the way of inches in 6 weeks- and my legs are REALLY tired all teh time- I used to look forward to the gym, now I dread it cause I"m sooo tired.

Do I need a rest day in between? Am I overdoing it? Am I not giving my legs enough recovery to build?

Thanks Guys and gals

[Porcelain]

Re: Rest day confusion?

Well, I can only speak from my experience. I tried to do too much and I ended up quitting exercise completely because I couldn't keep up and I totally dreaded it! You don't want that to happen. Are you resting to consecutive days? It is probably best that you rest like Wed and Sun, or something like that. I have to rest a little more than average because I have fibromyalgia, but I do what I can and break it up in during the day.

[mom23kgirls]

Re: Rest day confusion?

Hi there,

yeah I am taking the weekends off cause its hard to get there those days- I feel fine once I"m there- except when I'm running my legs are just sooo tired!!

[Grant]

Re: Rest day confusion?

I would say swap one of the treadmill days with something that you enjoy. Tennis, swimming, a hike in the woods, a bike ride, something like that. Whatever gets you moving but is different then the usual gym routine. If you dread going to the gym it's going to be a lot less likely you will keep it up so instead find something that gives you the same benefits that you will actually have some fun with.

[mom23kgirls]

Re: Rest day confusion?

Oops sorry- I dont mean that I "dread" the gym per say..I like it :<) I just dread the tired feeling of my legs....

[jsj0305]

Re: Rest day confusion?

I would too try to maybe keep moving on your days off. I workout an hour a day, 6 days a week and it's intense. I have to say, when I took 2 days off in a row, I was trashed that whole following week. I would try to brak up your days off, and if you absolutely cannot, go for a fast paced walk, something to really keep you moving. I hate working out on saturdays....but I usually just get it in first thing in the morning and I find I have way more energy that day and I know the following day will be a nice break and the following week will be wonderful.

Hope this helps!

As far as not losing inches...I'm not really sure. Are you working with a trainer, in a class etc??

[mom23kgirls]

Re: Rest day confusion?

I would too try to maybe keep moving on your days off. I workout an hour a day, 6 days a week and it's intense. I have to say, when I took 2 days off in a row, I was trashed that whole following week. I would try to brak up your days off, and if you absolutely cannot, go for a fast paced walk, something to really keep you moving. I hate working out on saturdays....but I usually just get it in first thing in the morning and I find I have way more energy that day and I know the following day will be a nice break and the following week will be wonderful.

Hope this helps!

As far as not losing inches...I'm not really sure. Are you working with a trainer, in a class etc??

No, no trainer..I personally dont believe in them-

[jsj0305]

Re: Rest day confusion?

I don't think you are overdoing it at all. I think your regimine sounds great.

But for not losing inches....that's the part that gets me. What phase of Atkins are you on?? Just wondering if maybe you added something into your diet that is causing you to be at a stand still? Perhaps a food allergy, yeast overgrowth, etc...?

[mom23kgirls]

Re: Rest day confusion?

I am on the Nuts rung..but I'm losing...lbs not inches..isnt that wacky? Ok I mean my clothes are fitting better- but the measurements remain the same? LOL

[Tommy]

Re: Rest day confusion?

My suggestion would be to do your resistance training first followed by your cardio. Also have your body fat percentage checked and make sure your not lossing lean body mass instead of fat.

[mom23kgirls]

Re: Rest day confusion?

Good idea- thanks I will do that :<)

[ttdriver]

Re: Rest day confusion?

Do I need a rest day in between? Am I overdoing it? Am I not giving my legs enough recovery to build?

YES
YES
and
YES.

Alot of folk underestimate the power of rest days. Let me tell you, after running for 4 and a half years ... I would NEVER have lasted this long at age 52 if I didn't have 3 days of rest per week. I run typically 30 miles a week, but its the REST DAYS that are truly the strengthening days. Sounds weird, I know, but during rigorous exercise, your muscles incur minute TEARS that only heal during your REST DAYS. If you don't rest, your muscles never have that opportunity to recover .. and ... keep that pace up long-term and I'd bet the mortgage that you will either: burn out or wind up injured ...

Betty