So I’ve been hitting the gym really hard these last couple of weeks. I felt like I really slacked off this summer and I want to get looking and feeling good for when I go spend Christmas with my family in Arizona. Yes, I gave myself only two months… So I’ve really been working hard. I’m trying to stay committed because it’s that time of year when the weight goes up. Not that any of us can help it, I’m mean, come on, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!! It’s understandable. But that’s even more reason to keep hitting the workouts—hard. And that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. Well, today I need a break. I’m so sore and can hardly move. My back, arms, shoulders, thighs, and feet are all wondering what I’ve done to them. My body needs time to rest and recover. The recovery phase is so important because you can start doing more harm than good when you overwork your body. Overworking comes at a different time for everyone; you just need to listen to your body. People that are very fit don’t get to that point as fast as people who are just starting out. Pulling muscles or tendons, spraining something, or throwing out your back will stop your whole routine, and, for some, it can be hard to get back on track again.
Now, I’m not saying you need a recovery day in between every time you work out. That’s not helping anything. But when you feel your body get to the point of exhaustion and ultimate soreness, give it a break. Don’t work out a muscle that is already feeling super stiff and on the verge of being pulled. So, today I’m not going to feel any guilt. I’m going to give my body the time to recover that it deserves. Instead of going to the gym tonight, I’m staying in and working on my Halloween costume! But you better believe I will be right back at it tomorrow. And with my refreshed muscles, I’ll be able to really amp up the intensity!