By Amber Elizabeth Dodzweit

THE TRUTH ABOUT REST

 

It's no mystery, the fitness industry can be pretty extreme. 

Meanwhile, thousands of people across the nation struggle with unhealthy relationships with food and excessive exercise only to have their habits encouraged by “fitspo” featuring ever so deep quotes such as “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”, thanks for that one Kate Moss.

 

One concept in particular that I want to touch on is the notion of “no days off” training. Sometimes I feel that these social media celebrities take the truth- do a 180 and then promote THAT thing. Taking not one day off in the midst of intense training is not only ineffective but counterproductive to making progress. I’ll tell you why.

 

What we are doing during intense bouts of exercise essentially is damaging muscle tissue. The repair of this tissue is what causes gains. In order to allow this tissue to repair you must REST. Again, it is during REST that your body is able to experience gains. I’m so sorry to burst your bubble “no days off” promoters- but you’re just simply wrong. Now- having days where your exercise intensity is much lower than normal can still allow for the body to recover, but nothing in comparison like a day of total rest.

 

There’s something else too- Hormonal implications of the stress we place on our bodies through exercise and just daily life prompts the release of cortisol (this is what is released during your fight or flight response). Stimulant based products trick your body into thinking it’s under attack thus releasing cortisol. This is the surge of energy you feel after you’ve downed a pre-workout or energy drink. It all seems great until you get the memo that the adrenal glands are the size of walnuts and eventually they run out of cortisol to release for your emergency workout stash. Another reason REST is super important. And here we are again at the “no days off” concept just being another method for people to spoon feed you insane philosophies that have no backing of science.

 

I would dare to say the overtraining is the most common diagnosis within our industry today. But before you think all of this is a PMS inflicted rant- let me prove it. Once cortisol is tapped out in your system you experience what’s called “adrenal fatigue”. This can be described as having “depression like” symptoms. You feel lethargic, unmotivated and extremely tired. In most cases like this- one may double up on their pre-workout, but there will be no adrenaline or cortisol left to release for energy. If this is left unattended what you may have on your hands is permanent metabolic damage, irreversible weight gain, and many other health complications. So before you go and jump on the “no days off” bandwagon- consider that your body is sort of a one time thing and you have to preserve it so its with you for the long haul. Not to mention, want results?? Then rest is required.

 

I love the truth. I hope you do too. Thank you so much for allowing me to share it with you.

 

AMBER DODZWEIT

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8 comments

  • This is a great reminder for everyone :) personally i cant get obsessed with my training and want to keep moving 7 days a week until i just get sooo tired! I realized that in order to become a great athlete you shouldnt become obsessed with your end goal but rather support your journey and accepting your good days and bad days. Trust the process, trust yourself :)

    Rebekah on

  • I read a lot of entries on BB.com regarding no rest for the weary. I believe rest days are necessary and needed if you don’t want to completely burn out. Thank you so much for spreading the truth

    Jeanne on

  • Thanks for explaining a little why the rest is important. I heard that it is, but its great to know why from a physiological standpoint.

    Ronie on

  • YES! This is what I tell people I know that are working out without rest, complaining that they never make any progress. That and stop eating so much junk. They’re always surprised when I tell them the gain is in the recovery. I appreciate what you’re doing, Amber. My mom is one of ‘fitness-truth’ too, if you will. She’s a personal trainer and everything I know I learned from her. A couple of years ago she was chosen to be a trainer on the side for an episode of “I Used to be Fat”. She was the trainer behind the scenes while there was a trainer on the screen. And by god, the two of them had completely different approaches and views on training this young girl. My mom didn’t even want to do it because she felt it was wrong, the program they put the girl on. She was to workout with 3 hour sessions, two sessions a day, and only allowed somewhere around 600 calories a day, I believe it was. Anyway, my mom took it slow and let the girl go at her own pace. And with the other trainer, she ended up having a stroke and some serious knee damage. Its crazy what people are made to do for the cameras. I remember my mom telling me that even some of the camera crew completely disagreed with what they put this girl through.

    So anyway, I really appreciate and admire that someone with more of a following can spread the truth of what it means to be fit. Thank you.

    Jessica on

  • We had to make a video for Adv Bio on how a muscle contracts… it’s kinda random but i’m putting it up so the other groups members can see it.

    http://youtu.be/zhvWeqcjUQk

    Keating Willcox on

  • Thank you for your quest for truth, & willingness to share it. Awesome read. :-)

    Allyson on

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