Do muscles sometimes need a rest?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Do muscles sometimes need a rest?
11
Tue, 07-01-2003 - 4:36pm
I've been into fitness for quite a time, but after I've finally managed to lose weight considerably I decided I'll never let all those nasty pounds come back again, so I started to exercise real hard. It was O'K for some months, but then I suddenly started to feel extremely tired and exhausted when training. The exercises I used to do easily became simply unbearable for me. All magazines say that if you want to achieve certain results you have to work hard and constantly rise your load, but how am I to do this - I hardly manage to do what I used to do before? And then, probably, this can be somehow connected to my diet - I dropped bread and bakery entirely, also sugar and products rich in fat.

I'll be happy if you give me a piece of good advice,

Miss_Vanilla

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 07-01-2003 - 5:02pm
Hi Miss Vanilla,

Welcome to the board. :)

> I suddenly started to feel extremely tired and exhausted when training. The exercises I used to do easily became simply unbearable for me.

**Gosh, I'm so sorry. It might be a good idea to check with your Dr. first on that. From all I've read, (and what I do) a good program is to alternate days like one day do weights/resistance and the next day do aerobics or walking/running. That way different muscles get rest and exercise.

We have several gym rats here so I hope that they can give you some more input. Meanwhile you might check out some of the sites Hugs put on our website *Healthy Habits* up above. :) Hope you can hang around, share and perhaps get some advice. We'd love to have you. :)

~Golly~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 07-01-2003 - 6:20pm
Hi miss vanilla and welcome :)

Congratulations on your journey of being fit and keeping at it!

>>I started to exercise real hard. It was O'K for some months, but then I suddenly started to feel extremely tired and exhausted when training

**Definitely check with your doctor before doing too much of anything else hon ..

How long have you stopped working out .. Anything else change that might make you feel this way doing them now? We have some other great ladies here that may be able to give you some ideas as well .. Do check back .. I will also check around to see what I can find .. Sure hope you come back and join us in our journey of being *Fit & Healthy*

~Hugs~

          Click & Join the fun!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2003
Tue, 07-01-2003 - 7:46pm
Miss Vanilla,

Very cool name!! It has always been my understanding that any high-impact activity such as aerobics or running should not be done more than 5 - 6 days in a row. You need to have at least 1 day off a week to let your muscles rest. If you are doing any upper and lower body workouts (with weights), you are not to do them more than twice a week each and never do the same workout two days in a row. I am not sure how accurate this is but I believe you can cause your body some serious damage by working out too hard. I had to have surgery a few years ago and was going overboard with the exercise in order to get some extra weight off and I ended up not being able to walk because I had given myself shin splints from doing too much very high-impact aerobics. Stupid Girl!!

I would see your doctor and find out what they have to say.

Hope this helps,

Melanie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 07-01-2003 - 8:04pm
Excellent advice Melanie! ITA!! ;o)

Much love,

~DJ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Wed, 07-02-2003 - 11:54am
hi how many times do you work out a week. if you have lost the wieght ou wanted no more the 3 to 5 times a week but even five is alot for wiegth training. Yes your muscles need rest. I rest mine on the weekend so i don't feel tiered on the weekdays. I hope this helped if you have any questions feel free to ask.

lily

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Wed, 07-02-2003 - 12:25pm
Hi Melanie!

Thanx very much for your advice, I'm gonna try this and see if it helps. I believe I really was working out too much, almost every day for about 1,5 hour/2 hours. Now I'll slow down a bit and try to alternate aerobics and serious workout.

I would like to thank everyone for posting your replies!

Miss_Vanilla

P.S. I like this board very much, I believe I'll visit it often! :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 07-02-2003 - 5:40pm
>>I like this board very much, I believe I'll visit it often!

**Glad to hear you like it We sure hope you'll come back often, join our *fun* and

*mini challenge* of water drinking and lots more as we all get *Fit & Healthy*

~Hugs~

          Click & Join the fun!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2003
Wed, 07-02-2003 - 8:37pm
Miss Vanilla-

I am so sorry to hear about your frustration! It sounds to me that your body is telling you to slow down. If you have been over zelous in your exersize, you could be overtraining which wlll definately cause the symptoms you have described. In that case...take a few days off! Even a week!! Your workouts will be even better when you start up again. You will not lose muscle tone....it usually takes about two weeks to start to see a regression...also, you could be eating not enough quality carbohydrates. Once again, if you have been working out hard, your body needs complex carbs for fuel and repair...not only protein...you can eliminate the white bread, but you should continue to eat complex carbs such as oatmeal, sweet potatoes, brown rice....Lastly, you can weight train several days, however it depends on what muscle groups you use...ex...monday...back and biceps, tuesday..chest and tricepts, wednesday...legs and abs....Thurday...shoulders. There are many combonations and several different ways to spread things out. I would check with your doctor to be on the safe side if the above recommendations don't help.

Hang in there!!

Susan Creal

licensed wellness coach

www.yourpassionatecoach.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Thu, 07-03-2003 - 7:20am
Thanx! It's really nice to hear such a detailed advice from someone so qualified. :))) I'm surely going to try this.

Miss_Vanilla
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 07-03-2003 - 7:28am


Hope you don't mind me butting in Miss Vanilla :::blush:::

Just wanted to tell you how glad we are to have you here and let you know there are many here who can give you great tips, suggestions and help .. See you again soon :)

~Hugs~

          Click & Join the fun!

Pages