runnergirl, you exercise a LOT!! Probably more than anyone I know (other than some of the girls here....)

and you make me feel totally like a slob

but I have to share this:

I was off for awhile trying to work out why I was getting sick. Turned out to be an allergy, but during that time off, I really got out of the swing of lots of exercise. Then we had some vacation time, and I'm not great on getting exercise in when we sleep in, watch movies and gently plug away at a house renovation....

anyway...

last weekend I was really down on myself for not working out at all! but when I thought about it, I had done 2 kickboxing classes and one good ride, in addition to the walking to work and walking the dogs, and only had 2 days off of realy exercise. Well on Monday when I went to kickboxing, it felt the best it has in ages! I felt strong, I didn't have that crazy terrible burning in my quads that makes the burpees in the warmup pretty near impossible. I left feeling like a million bucks!
Last night, I rode the bike on the trainer. it was short - just 20 minutes, then did a good round of yoga (somewhere between relaxation and power yoga...). I can still feel the muscle soreness in my legs today.

Tomorrow I ride, Friday I do kickboxing. I think I'm finally learning that my body needs more time to recover than I really want to give it....but I really like how I feel when I do!

So, my advice for rest days? Take up a hobby. I take pictures, other girls here do various art projects, sewing, knitting, gardening....etc. It's very fulfilling to do something you LOVE, that takes your mind into a different way of being. Exercise is amazing and fantastic, but you do need to use other parts of you, too, and they need "exercise" in their own way. Be patient and respectful of yourself...You'll see what we all mean!

Namaste,
~T~