Have you ever heard of a deload week? According to Mens Fitness…
A deload is a period of time in which you take things easier in the gym by lifting lighter weights or reducing your training volume. Deloads typically last a week and encourage recovery before another period of harder training with heavier loading. Even if your body doesn’t absolutely need to deload, it’s a good idea.
I should admit that right now I am focusing more on that last part of the last sentence, “it’s a good idea.” Yes, yes it is.
I’m sure it’s pretty clear that I love working out and staying active. Quite honestly, this is how I stay sane and centered, so at times, even taking a rest day doesn’t seem appealing, let alone talking about a deload week.
But I want to admit something to you…
Taking a deload week can help you come back stronger – mentally and physically.
A week or so ago, I had these high hopes of a pretty heavy training week. I wanted HIIT and strength workouts or a run in the morning, and yoga at night; not everyday but at least a few days out of the week.
What happened instead was that my body didn’t feel right, it felt tired, achy, and a bit out of sorts. I couldn’t get myself to workout harder or motivate myself to run, all I wanted to do was walk and throw in a little yoga. Knowing myself and the way my body talks to me, I knew I needed to listen; so I did.
I spent my mornings walking on the treadmill while reading a book and if I was up for it, I’d add in some light weights or core work after; if I was up for yoga after work, I went; if I wasn’t, I stayed home and relaxed next to the AC unit.
For me, it was this reminder that not only do I need rest days during my weekly fitness, but I also need to schedule deload weeks from time to time as they truly help my body and mind reset to come back a stronger and more powerful athlete. Sure, I’m no Simone Biles or Katie Ledecky, but I am my own Katie Arnold. 😉
“I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps, I’m the first Simone Biles.”
(Please tell me you all have seen this? Who knew that I could look up to someone who is 6 inches shorter and 10 years younger than me!? But it’s possible.)
The point I’m making in all of this, is just to remember to take rest for your body and don’t be afraid to cut back your training a bit; listen to your body; and especially, as we watch the Olympics and find ourselves so amazingly inspired by these incredible athletes, remember that we are not them and rather than try to be, setting ourselves up for injury, we need to just be ourselves.
When was the last time you took a rest day or a deload week?
Favorite summer Olympics sport to watch?
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I had no idea what this what but I could see if being great for you. I wonder if it helps with that weight loss/ fitness ceiling. I just started my workouts last month my trainer informed me yesterday we would be adding in weight lol so I probably won’t have a deload week anytime soon.
Dia All The Things I Do recently posted…Blogher 16 Recap Part 1
I’ve never heard of this term before but I love the concept and agree that it can be applied to many areas in life. Simone Biles is my idol, too 🙂
Charlotte recently posted…How to eliminate worry from your life… when you are a chronic worrywart
Great idea!
Emmy recently posted…A Happy list: 131 + I fell off a chair.
Can I have a deload month?
I had a deload week last week and it really helped my mindset for this week!!!
I’d never heard the term “deload” before this post. But I think I need a deload week for my soul right now. Ugh. I’m spending extra time on my mat and have gotten back to meditation so I can “declutter.” Thanks for this lovely post. What a great reminder that even as physical body needs to rest and reboot, so also does our emotional body.
Rica@ Yoga Mat Monkey recently posted…5 Empowering Thoughts That Will Get You Fit
i enjoy working out too to keep me focused and manage my stress..but i think deload week is a great idea! nice reminder.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Stop Sabotaging Your Weight Loss
This is so true! Its hard to take it easy even when our bodies need it. Love that quote from Simone! shes awesome!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…5 Favorite Vegetarian Protein Sources
I needed to read this…just like Susie above…I find myself not wanting to take that break…but I have one planned for next week I can tell my body needs it. I plan to walk, walk, walk and read in the mornings and then stretch that’s it for one to two weeks. Thanks for this reminder and for reminding me it is NEEDED and OK to rest!
sarah@creatingbettertomorrow recently posted…Do You Foam Roll?
I needed this today! I took a deload weekend, and at first it was hard to come back from, but now I feel much better. And that last quote. That is just perfection. Thank you for putting that up there!
Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…Past, Present, Future : A Quick Tribute