Gimme a Break!

By the way, the title is supposed to be sung.  And sung with all the enthusiasm that Nell Carter did. 

I say so because breaks from rehabbing an injury, exercise, work, or any routine activity are necessary.  Not only do we need weekends and days in between to recover but sometimes we need a longer period of time.  It is like a vacation from recovery.  I know I have been saying that the most important thing is to be consistent and stick with a program or routine but...

Sometimes a little rest is the best thing for us. 

Personally I don't think I have taken more than 3 days off since the day of my accident.  I spent 3 months crutching to the garage everyday to do pull ups and dips - and I ended up with a sore elbow and haven't done many pull ups and dips since.  A little more rest and I wouldn't have had a problem.  And since I was cleared to walk I doubt it has been more than 2 days off.  So between the kettlebells, Pilates, biking, and other activity I am beginning to feel tired and worn out.  I mentally and emotionally have the blahs as well.  I think I am also getting a cold.  Maybe not, I just know I woke up this morning feeling like could just go back to bed.

I know I need/should/must take 5-7 days (maybe even 10) off from everything.  And this time I will.  Even before my injury I was never very good with taking the right amount of rest.  Very often, I paid for it.  I would bonk and get hurt or sick.  Now, with my new found respect for my health, and an overarching goal to live pain free with my energies not dedicated to being superhuman in the gym or on the bike, but to my family, I think rest is the best thing for me.

Nevertheless, intuitively, it is a hard thing to do.  I want to keep pushing and pushing until I am 100% and I can show everyone how completely and quickly I have recovered.  So this will be a mental battle for me but one in which I will thank myself after the week is over.

The one thing that keeps coming to mind is the movie, What About Bob, where Bill Murrays' character says he is going to "take a vacation from his problems."  While recovering we need to do the same.  Remember, if we give ourselves more time, a week off is insignificant from recovery period perspective but it will make us feel better about the process and in the end may actually speed things up.  Rest, not just sleep, is the forgotten X factor.

So when you have been pushing for several months and you begin to feel drained, it is time to slow down and relax. 

You'll come back with enough energy to belt out a few high notes like Nell Carter... 

Or at least you'll feel better, even if you didn't spend the week at Lake Winnipesaukee...

Thanks for reading...