Change the PaceYou should have at least one day per week where you do no exercise. This allows time for your muscles to repair themselves and for your body to recover from your week’s workouts. Conversely, don’t be afraid to push-it a few times per week either. If you get used to jogging the same route, add another loop or run a section of it at a faster pace. Mixing up our routine keeps it fresh and makes us stronger. A 7-day per week workout plan with no rest days will eventually fail. Your body needs rest. Many elite athletes become more susceptible to things like the common cold because they’ve driven their bodies into continual exhaustion and their immune systems can’t properly protect their body. Overtraining can also lead to injury by exercising muscles that are in need of repair. If you’re used to getting on the stair climber everyday at 5 o’clock after work, try a different piece of equipment at the gym like the treadmill or elliptical, or go for a walk or jog around the neighborhood. This variation keeps us mentally stimulated, as well as exercises various muscles that we don’t always use. As a runner, I primarily exercise the back muscles of my legs – so a day or two a week on the exercise bike helps muscles like my quadriceps and other areas I don’t regularly work out. Program some spontaneity and flexibility into your routine. We can’t control things like weather, moods, and even our schedules – so stay flexible and enjoy the changes of pace.
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