I need to get better about this. I have always done high intensity workouts. Once I am at the gym I get caught up and push hard. But then my muscles are either so sore (if I did weights) or my lower back and hips ache (if I do cardio) so much that I don't want to do anything for a couple days after. I was a D1 athlete and that mentality that every workout should be super hard is one I have had a hard time letting go of. It's like my brain goes back into "training mode" once I have gotten started. In my 20s and even part of my 30s I could do hard workouts 5-6 days per week, but it's simply not possible at 40.

It's good to hear people who work out 6 days a week say that some of those days are lighter things like yoga or walking. Sometimes people here just say "I work out 6 days a week" with no explanation, and it makes me wonder what's wrong with my body that I can't do that. But I'm guessing it's a slim minority doing hard workouts that often at 40+.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you lift, taking a rest day after is a good idea. You an do yoga, or pilates or walk.

But you shouldn't be sedentary on any day.

You can at least walk a few miles.

I really feel like this depends on the person? If I get to an everyday status I get completely burned out very quickly. I work out hard on the days I do work out though. I think if you have more moderate tendencies it might be more manageable?

But I also think the bolded isn't good advice. Sometimes your body tells you to REST and you should REST. Last week I totally overdid it on leg day and was so sore, I just really needed a couple days to recover I could barely walk!

Science says regular exercise is better than a few hard workouts a week.

So yes you should do something every day even if it's just walking.

If you are lifting so hard you cannot walk for a day or two you are pushing yourself too hard.

Wait, I thought science said that occasional intense exercise is better

Better than what? You should move everyday with NEAT. Intense cardio 1-2 / week. Lifting 3x/ week

I do light exercise everyday but it's nowhere near HIIT level. It's just enough to keep me awake and alert and focused and not wanting to snack.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you lift, taking a rest day after is a good idea. You an do yoga, or pilates or walk.

But you shouldn't be sedentary on any day.

You can at least walk a few miles.

I really feel like this depends on the person? If I get to an everyday status I get completely burned out very quickly. I work out hard on the days I do work out though. I think if you have more moderate tendencies it might be more manageable?

But I also think the bolded isn't good advice. Sometimes your body tells you to REST and you should REST. Last week I totally overdid it on leg day and was so sore, I just really needed a couple days to recover I could barely walk!

Science says regular exercise is better than a few hard workouts a week.

So yes you should do something every day even if it's just walking.

If you are lifting so hard you cannot walk for a day or two you are pushing yourself too hard.

Wait, I thought science said that occasional intense exercise is better

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you lift, taking a rest day after is a good idea. You an do yoga, or pilates or walk.

But you shouldn't be sedentary on any day.

You can at least walk a few miles.

I really feel like this depends on the person? If I get to an everyday status I get completely burned out very quickly. I work out hard on the days I do work out though. I think if you have more moderate tendencies it might be more manageable?

But I also think the bolded isn't good advice. Sometimes your body tells you to REST and you should REST. Last week I totally overdid it on leg day and was so sore, I just really needed a couple days to recover I could barely walk!

Science says regular exercise is better than a few hard workouts a week.

So yes you should do something every day even if it's just walking.

If you are lifting so hard you cannot walk for a day or two you are pushing yourself too hard.

I use Peloton across 3 platforms (treadmill, bike, and app). I alternate spinning, running, and boxing for cardio, and strength (weight lifting or Barre usually). I try to never do the same exercise 2 days in a row. For me, it is very, very important to alternate, or I start to get injured or perform suboptimally.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you lift, taking a rest day after is a good idea. You an do yoga, or pilates or walk.

But you shouldn't be sedentary on any day.

You can at least walk a few miles.

I really feel like this depends on the person? If I get to an everyday status I get completely burned out very quickly. I work out hard on the days I do work out though. I think if you have more moderate tendencies it might be more manageable?

But I also think the bolded isn't good advice. Sometimes your body tells you to REST and you should REST. Last week I totally overdid it on leg day and was so sore, I just really needed a couple days to recover I could barely walk!

Honestly the best thing to do after lifting hard on your legs is walk it out. Get the blood flowing to the broken down muscles. Yes, you need to walk everyday.

I posted this on another thread, but I do exercise every day. I alternate for six days between running and intense hot yoga (I need the yoga for my running hips) and then do something more restorative (hike, long walk, swim) on the seventh day. I also walk a lot every day, but that’s just life, not my exercise.

Anonymous wrote:If you lift, taking a rest day after is a good idea. You an do yoga, or pilates or walk.

But you shouldn't be sedentary on any day.

You can at least walk a few miles.

I really feel like this depends on the person? If I get to an everyday status I get completely burned out very quickly. I work out hard on the days I do work out though. I think if you have more moderate tendencies it might be more manageable?

But I also think the bolded isn't good advice. Sometimes your body tells you to REST and you should REST. Last week I totally overdid it on leg day and was so sore, I just really needed a couple days to recover I could barely walk!

If you lift, taking a rest day after is a good idea. You an do yoga, or pilates or walk.

But you shouldn't be sedentary on any day.

You can at least walk a few miles.