Quote Originally Posted by runnergirl
How often should I have a total rest day? Should it every be TOTAL rest (ie, no eliptical, no run, no nothing?) How do I not stress about it without trying to starve myself that day?

(btw, I am not an eating disorder type, I am 10-15 lbs above my ideal weight with a contrary metabolism)
Newsflash... overweight people have eating disorders, too. It has more to do with your attitude about food and eating than whether your body looks anorexic or not.

I find it helpful to track calories consumed and expended. This helps me eat appropriately on rest days and fuel myself adequately on exercise days. IMO, a rest day is a rest day. As in... absolutely no planned exercise at all. If you just can't stand the thought of this, you may need to reconsider your attitudes towards food and exercise and body self-image.