The easiest part of your week...

Recovery

This is the easy bit!!! Sounds easy and is easy, but it’s often neglected. As crazy as it sounds, rest is just as important as exercise. Time to find out why!

Rest Is Best

In order to get fitter or improve in sport, the body needs to be exposed to stresses (i.e. training or exercise), once this has happened, the body then needs time to adapt to the stresses and for this there must be a period of recovery. Rest and recovery are also important in prevention of injuries.

Recovery Strategies

It’s all very well being encouraged to exercise, but if your body isn’t used to doing it, or you’ve started a new sport or even increased the amount of training you’re doing then you need to consider some recovery strategies to help your body to adjust.

Rest

Sleep is one of the most important forms of rest and provides time for the body to adapt to the physical and mental demands of training.

• Make sure you’re getting enough sleep (8hours per night is a good guideline)

• Ensure your sleep is good quality, make sure the room is dark, quiet and peaceful.

Passive resting such as reading and listening to music are great ways for the body to relax, both physically and mentally.

Some Valuable Tips On Recovery

1. You NEED it!
2. If you already train 5 days per week, try having Thursday as a rest day and training Saturday instead, if you work 5 days its much easier training harder Fridays and Saturdays when you do not have to go to work the next day :)
3. Think about what your body is telling you, there are days when not training can be more beneficial then turning up and training with half of your usual intensity
4.  If your trying to lose weight and your diet is matched to your level of exercise, think about your daily intake of food on recovery days... Remember we eat for fuel and not for fun! Many people don't rest or have recovery days, as they get on the scales everyday and after a day off think, "geez i put weight on and wont have a rest day again!" It's important to remember why you need the rest days in the first place!
5. Mix up your training days and keep track of your results, you will be surprised at the results and changes in your body as over-training is all too common! 

CLICK HERE to read the full article from Fitness Friends UK