Today I’ve had to take an extra rest day, after weeks of higher intensity training, the muscle soreness has caught up with me… significantly.  I am not new to exercise, and therefore I plan workouts carefully to have higher and lower intensity days, whilst maintaining one full rest day per week.  But over time it can become necessary to take extra rest.

I’ve felt this over the last week, my rest day last Friday did not bring as much recover as I had hoped for, and I’ve noticed some of my workouts have been much more of a struggle this week.  It is not that I lack motivation at all, but I have essentially been fighting my body with each workout, every mile I have run and every punch I’ve thrown boxing this week.

I am listening to my body – the single best indicator I have of when to push harder and when I should rest up more.  My body is my guide, I plan workouts with flexibility to adapt to how I feel (and also the weather at the moment).

My body told me I need to rest, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.  That doesn’t mean I’ll be completely sedentary for two full days, I will continue to do some light walking, to keep my muscles in a good place.

I am very motivated at the moment with new fitness goals, but I am doing it to feel good.  Rest will make me feel good both over these two days and when I’m back working out on Saturday.

When exercising, always listen to your body.  It is your best guide for a more effective workout.