After
16 years of training I have a really good understanding of my body. I know what I need to feed it to make sure it is functioning at 100%. I know what it takes to build muscle or lean down. I know how much cardio I need to get to my goals of stepping on stage. I know what type of training my body responds to. I know how much rest I need each night to recover. I know the supplements that are the most vital for health and to maximize my gains. I have learned to listen to my body.
One thing I learned a while back is that it is alright to skip a day in the gym or maybe even a week in the gym if that is what your body needs. It’s alright to change to higher reps and less weight to maximize gains. It doesn’t have to be the same routine day in and day out to experience success. Consistency is still the key to success, but don’t mistake consistency with having to never miss a day at the gym or change things up. Our bodies occasionally need a break. They are not designed to go 110% every single day. We need recovery days, sometimes a recovery week, or maybe even a month.
If we abuse our bodies for a long period of time in the gym, we will be more apt to injure ourselves and our results will slow. Think about it…taking a week off is much better than 3 months due to an over training injury.
On the other hand, the one thing I never relax on is my diet. Nutrition and proper eating is a lifestyle and there is no break for that. An EXTENDED break in proper eating only leads to bad things; unnecessary weight gain, being lethargic, reduced testosterone levels, and many other negative health issues like diabetes. This does not apply of course to the occasional cheat meal. There is nothing wrong with some ice cream or pizza occasionally, but the majority of our nutrition should always be the healthy unprocessed foods. So feed the body properly and learn to listen to it. If it’s telling you to take a day or a week off than do it. Your body will thank you.
Tim Staggs CPT & Wellness Coach
Website: www.staggsfitness.com
Visalus: www.staggsfitness.myvi.net
Fan Page: www.facebook.com/staggsfitness
Facebook: www.facebook.com/staggstim
Blog: http://www.staggsfitness.com/category/tims-blog/
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