Why YOU should take a rest day.

Phoenix MEET-UP INFORMATION!!!

You can come to one or both:)

May 20th 11:45 a.m. at La Grande Orange!!

May 20th at 7 p.m. at KIWI LOCO!!

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Before we talk about rest days let’s get into the importance of having a delicious breakfast each day.

It is proven that starting your day off with cereal (yesterday’s mix was FMW, fruit loops, strawberries and a cut up pear) will make your whole day infinitely better.

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Nothing like Sunday morning french toast with syrup.

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She is very good at organizing her french toast bites into her cup holders.

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PS fun tip from my SIL… she uses a pizza cutter to cut up her kids food because it is so fast and easy!

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My view driving around town yesterday. I liked it.

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Last night Brooke was not feeling so great and wasn’t eating so we took her in to Instacare. She has tonsillitis so the doctor gave her some medicine and said she will be feeling good in no time but today we are going to stay in and get her the rest and snuggling that will get her feeling better asap.

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I was a little more than tempted this morning to get up really really early to get in a short run because I knew I was going to be inside all day. I stayed strong because I have learned how extremely important rest days are (especially for someone like me that tends to get injured really easily) and made up my mind to take today off like I normally do.

From The Rest is Easy: Why you have to back off in order to push hard.

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Use that rest day to get some extra sleep, stretch out really good and hydrate and fuel for your upcoming running week:)

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Not only do rest days help out so much physically but the mental benefits are also really important. During my speed work 10k on Thursday when I was starting to feel really tired I thought about my upcoming rest day. That helped me to push through the workout just by thinking about how I will take a day off from the craziness and that I will take the rest I need soon.

By the end of the week mentally and physically I am tired. On my Monday morning run (Sundays are always my day off) my mind and body feel like they have been reset and ready for another week of training. I guarantee if I worked out every day of the week I would not feel that same way.

Now does this mean that you only take rest days once a week on your scheduled rest day? NOOOOOOO!! Here is a list of TEN Signs That You Need a Rest Day to know if your body is screaming for you to take a day off!

Oh yeah, and don’t forget the IMPORTANCE of Easy Running in your training!

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What is your theory on rest days? How often? What day usually? Ever gone through a time in your life that you didn’t take rest days?

When was the last time you were sick? What did you have?

What is your current favorite cereal? (Mine changes on a weekly basis) What time do you usually eat breakfast?

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69 comments

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I think a rest day once a week is very valuable. Although sometimes, instead of running or going to the gym, I’ll go on a hike. I just love being active :-)

I had the flu in February for about a week. It was miserable!

My fave cereal is probably captain crunch or honey nut cheerios.

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I’m starting my second week of active rest after my half marathon. I always take at least on day where I do nothing and one where I go outdoors and walk with my family. If you don’t do it you won’t give your muscles the time to repair and get stronger. The last time I was sick was over a year and a half ago. Had a stomach bug. I am loving kashi strawberry fields and raisin bran thanks to you :). I hope Brooke feels better soon.

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I couple weeks ago I was sick with a sinus infection and strep throat at the same time. It was miserable. To make matters worse, I had a bad reaction to one of the medications the doctor gave me to treat the pain of my strep. No bueno.

I’m currently obsessed with a mix of frosted flakes and Special K red berries. I usually eat breakfast around 8am….but that definitely doesn’t mean that I limit my cereal intake to 8am.

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I went years without taking rest days. They are still hard for me mentally but I try to use that time intentionally to do something fun. We are all currently sick… In fact we had to cancel our trip to Cancun tomorrow :-( we had it last week too and we can’t get well!

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I typically take 1-3 rest days per week depending on the week and how I’m feeling! Rest days are definitely crucial to staying healthy.

I’m going to Phoenix this Friday for a week… I think you should stay an extra week or two so we can have another blogger meet up. ;) Enjoy La Grande Orange – it’s another one of my favorites!

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I hope Brooke feels better soon. You guys enjoy your rest day!

That cereal concoction….sometimes I don’t know about you, Janae. lol.

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Oh no! Poor Brooke :( at least you got to hang out with her on your rest day. I went through a period of time last summer and fall where I was taking a day off every 2 months, and even then it was usually “active” rest. Now I’m much better about those days off. They’re so much easier when you’re with the people you love most.

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I’ve been taking a rest week, and I’m ready to get back out there. Stupid foot injury.

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Can I ask what the prescription med is? Some of them can cause belly pain and diarrhea :(

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I love, love, love Golden Grahams, but I eat them as a dessert, not for breakfast. As for as breakfast timing? As soon as I possibly can after crawling out of bed!
I hope Brooke feels better soon, poor girl.

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Feel better soon little Brooke <3

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Awww poor Brooke!! Hopefully she’s feeling really good soon!! :) Love the pizza cutter tip- your SIL’s a genius! And yayyy for rest days. SO important!

xo

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I’m going out of town for work otherwise I’d definitely make the LGO meetup! They have amazing bacon and an amazing croque madame sandwich if you’re craving breakfast! Have fun, glad the heat isn’t bothering you too much. You should come back during Billy’s winter finals so you can enjoy some of the awesome hiking and trails here.

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I totally might! What do you recommend for lunch there?

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Guacamole blt is my favorite since I love their bacon so much. But all of their stuff is really good, I usually get their breakfast sandwiches even for lunch! Also, parking is a mess there (only downfall of the place) so be prepared to valet or get there a few minutes early and pay attention to no parking signs.

Next time you come you have to hike Camelback mountain if you haven’t before, really challenging and steep but short and end result is a gorgeous view of the city. Not a hike you could take Brooke on though since it’s so steep.

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Thank you so much for the recommendations and next time we will have to go do that hike!

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Awwr poor Brooke – hope she feels better soon! I can’t even remember the last time I was sick, and I’d kind of like to keep it that way *knocks on wood* As for rest days, there was definitely a period of my life where I was afraid to take any, and that ended up coming back and biting me in the butt. Now, I’m all about them, so I love hearing people praise them :) And cereal? Favorite right now is Kashi Cinnamon Harvest… which is basically like FMW.

Happy Sunday, Janae!

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The last time I was sick was December 2011. I was so sick I missed 2 days of teaching, went back for 3, and then missed another 3. It was a massive cold, and while I was not a fan of docs, the one I went to was super great.

I probably take more rest days now than ever before, but is there ever truly a “rest day” with a wonderful child in the house?

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I’m sorry Brooke got sick-poor little sweetheart :(

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It was really hard to take these last two days off but I know it helped a lot since I rocked my half marathon today! Rest days are so important. I need to take them more.

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I was wondering how it went today!!! Congrats girl!

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Thank you!! I won my age group with 1:49:38!

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Ahhhhh you are amazing!!!! Seriously so proud of you!

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My hubby never takes a rest day but all about them. I take off Sundays so Mondays are hardcore ;) for me anyway!

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I hope Brooke feels better soon. There is nothing worse than a sick baby.

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I take one rest day per week and I always have one really easy day (1-2 miles and lots of stretching). I have always taken rest days except for last year. I took a 365 day challenge and ran every day of the year. I am glad to have my rest days back this year for sure!

My cereal of the week is Crunch Berries – soooo good!
My least favorite cereal of the week is Kelloggs Krave. I am so sad I didn’t like it because it mixes two of my favorite things: cereal & chocolate! It gets soggy waaaay to fast to enjoy.

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Rest days are crucial. I usually rest on Wednesday’s and cross-train on Sundays.

The last time I was really sick was January. I had a really bad version of the flu with a sinus infection that would just not go away. It sucked. I hope Brooke feels better!

My favorite cereal is Frosted Mini Wheats. I usually get up at 5am and go through two coffees before breakfast, so I end up eating at 7:30ish.

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So sorry that Brooke is sick! Hope she is back to her smiley self soon. Sundays are usually my rest days too but today I did a really cool “scavenger hunt” type race that took me around the city for 8.5 miles so I definitely didn’t rest! Favorite cereal is peanut butter cheerios. I just can’t get enough peanut butter in my life!

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I went to Bay to Breakers and forgot my shoes! Who does that? Luckily my husband had a spare pare -used some extra socks and ran! I’ll never do that again.

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No way!!!!! Were they huge on you?

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I have big feet but they were probably a size too big. Plus they were his old shoes so they were pretty shot. I was real careful not to injure, so when shins starting splinting and knee started -pinching? I had to slow down and change my stride. I feel great though and beat last years time so all is good i think.

I’ll NEVER do that again.

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Poor Brooke, get better!

I take rest days 3 x week. I think that may be a little more than necessary but it’s definitely a good balance for me. Otherwise I get fed up with running and burn out.

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I’ve really been enjoying the turn the blog’s taken lately – lots of good running info and links! I’ve gotten so much info from some of your posts, thank you.

I don’t love rest days because I get tight muscles, but I take them every few weeks. Usually I will do short-and-easy instead, though.

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Saturday is my rest day, unless I didn’t do my long run Friday, in which case it gets pushed to Sunday :D
Feel better soon, Brooke….

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Aww I hope Brooke feels better very very soon!

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I take 1-2 rest days but the days of the week change. I have a schedule rest day once a week and listen to my body to determine if I need more. My current favorite cereal is plain old Cheerios.

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I didn’t think it was possible to make french toast any more delicious. But then you go and make it bite sized?!

I really only take rest days if I don’t have time to run that day (happens more often than I would like).

Frosted flakes without a doubt. That sugary milk you’re left with is pure amazingness.

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I hope Brooke is feeling much better

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Aw I’m so sorry that Brooke got sick, I hope she is feeling better ASAP!

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I have absolutely NO problem taking a rest day! I love em, and absolutely agree that knowing I have a rest day planned, helps me push through when I really am not feeling a run!

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Awww Brooke looks so sick in that picture, the poor little thing.
I’ve just started getting better after three weeks of being sick – flu, cough and then a sinus infection and vertigo, booooo!

My favourite cereal is pumpkin flax granola, its delicious!

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I havent taken a rest day in over 400 days. I started off as a joke. I had recovered from a stress fracture and felt great and run every day. 4 miles a day then 6-13 on Saturdays and Sundays (I know lol) I just feel so AWESOME running. I can never find a reason NOT to run. I don’t feel tired and my running is always improving. I was planning on taking a rest day after day 366 (Day 366 was the Boston marathon… I ran the last 1.5 miles with my sister and we crosse as the bombs exploded behind us so needless to say I had more oomph to keep running!) Until I FEEL a reason to rest… I don’t think I will. Running makes me feel sane, at peace, fit, and ALIVE :)

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I used to feel guilty when I’d take an unplanned rest day, and even scheduled rest days were tough for me. But getting older and becoming a mom has changed my perspective. I need my rest days to recharge and prevent injury. And even when unplanned rest days pop up, I take them in stride. If my body is screaming at me to take a nap instead of logging junk miles, I listen!

Oh, there are so many good cereals! But I do LOVE Cinnamon Life. Yum!

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I like taking rest days, but I take 1-3 a week. It depends on what my training calls for, how I’m feeling, or what other activity I’m doing. I typically stick with a training plan and I generally don’t miss runs; if I have a soccer game (or 2!) I’ll miss the 3 miler on my plan so I don’t overwork. The bottom line is I do what will keep me healthy.

The last time I was sick enough to remember is September, and I had the stomach flu for the first time in 2 or more years. It was miserable!

I love Berry Yogurt Crunch, but I haven’t seen it around for a while. :( I generally eat breakfast at around 6:40; I have to be ready to catch a school bus by 7

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I probably take 2 rest days a week. Every day is different with my work so there’s no telling if I can g a good workout in. If anything I foam roll for a while, do some yoga, or go on an evening walk with my hubby to get “something” in hat ay. Current cereal is TOTAL …..I need iron. Ps, thanks for including excerpts from articles time to time, I enjoy them!

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“G” should be get, and “hat ay” should be that day. This iPad…..

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What is your theory on rest days? How often? What day usually? Ever gone through a time in your life that you didn’t take rest days?
-I think rest days should be taken. And not just to heal, but to keep it interesting. I feel like if I ran every day, I’d get sick of it. But I usually do 2 rest days a week on Thursdays and Fridays. I’ve never not taken rest days

When was the last time you were sick? What did you have?
-Oh wow…it’s been months and I don’t even remember why.

What is your current favorite cereal? (Mine changes on a weekly basis) What time do you usually eat breakfast?
-My favorite cereal for about the past year has been Life cereal. And during the week, I normally eat around 6:15 am. On the weekends, more like 7 or 8

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I hope Brooke feels better soon! I haven’t been sick in a while, but I spent about a year working in a daycare…those little kid germs had me sick SO much! I don’t think I’ve ever caught so many colds in one year…and I had a really bad bout of the flu for a few days.

I’m not really a runner, but for exercise in general I absolutely believe in frequent rest days – at least one or two a week completely off. Usually Saturdays or Sundays for me, because I’d rather spend my weekend resting or catching up with people!

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I take Sunday’s off, too! Typically it’s my only day off every week, but if I’m doing a really high mileage week, I usually take an extra rest day during the week to make sure I don’t overdo it. I’m pretty injury prone, so I try to be really proactive about preventing overuse injuries.

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I follow the rules of “Run Less, Run Faster”.

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Taking a rest day is one of those things that I have never had a problem with. I always look forward to taking days off, and it really does make me that much stronger and more energized for the days that I do run and workout during the week. I normally take 2 days off per week, but if old injuries and pains start rearing their ugly heads, I’ll take a few days off consecutively. And it doesn’t cause me to lose my fitness or anything crazy like that. It just helps heal my body and prevent a real injury.

And I hope Brooke feels better soon!

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Same here – never had a problem taking rest days & always feel TEN Times better in my workouts for it! And no, no fitness lost over here either. ;-)

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I take 1-2 rest days per week, usually 2 just because I’m on my feet all day and my legs just need the extra time off.

I hope Brooke feels better soon!

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I take a rest day every Sunday and sometimes another day of the week also. I think rest days are so important for physical and psychological reasons.
I’ve been sick this week but I’m much better now. I hope poor Brookie is feeling better soon! Don’t catch what she has!

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I just about always take a rest day once a week (although I’ll admit that I count easy yoga as “rest”), and often take a second, depending on how my body is feeling and what’s going on in life. I don’t stress about it, and figure that the extra time will help my body heal, repair, and refuel.

Currently, I’m on a massive granola kick. I wish I could find a recipe to make delicious granola at home, since good granola costs twice as much as regular cereal. But every time I try to do-it-myself, I get burned oatmeal, not delicious, crunchy, clumpy goodness. Bah!

Hope Brooke feels more like herself soon, and everyone else stays healthy!!!

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So sorry to hear little Brooke is not feeling well. Lots of snuggle and nap time with Mommy will help. Hope she feels better soon!

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Poor little Brooke! I hope she feels better quickly.

I agree completely about rest days. During hard training, your rest days can be the most important day of your week!

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I’m so obsessed with oatmeal right now. So not much cereal eating going on around here lately! And I take about two rest days per week. Love them!

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I ALWAYS take rest days! It not only keeps me from burning out physically, but mentally as well, and I want to make sure that I NEVER burn out on running, because it’s my favorite :) I scheduled at least one a week, some weeks I’ll sneak in 2 rest days if I feel like I need it.

I was hit pretty bad with allergies a couple weeks ago, and then a little stomach bug before that, but all in all, I’ve managed to avoid the flu or anything big so far this year!

Your pic made me crave fruit loops SO bad! That was one of my favorite cereals as a kid. YUM!

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I read somewhere you get stronger when you are resting. I believe it!! When I was training I had one down day but took another if needed.

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I agree–rest days are super important! I’ve been sneaking in some yoga on my running rest days lately, but I do try to take at least one day a week where I don’t work out at all to give my muscles some rest. I swear, when I have kids I’m going to be the best parent after reading through the tips and tricks you have on your blog. The pizza cutter trick is genius!

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I had the flu for the first time in years a couple weeks ago. Now I have allergies for the first time ever and as I type I can’t really even open my burning eyes! Yuck.
My favorite cereal right now is Kashi’s Cinnamon Harvest cereal. It’s amazing!

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I usually take one to two rest days per week and that helps me not get injured. My problem is letting myself recover from tough races properly. I usually don’t feel all that bad, so I’ll run too soon and then end up with ITB issues, etc. I just took a week off from running for that very reason.

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I think a rest day is a day to just take off and do nothing! (exercise wise :). I typically drink a little bit more water as well on rest days to be ready for the next day and I typically take a rest day on Saturday because my long run is on Sunday. I use to take the weekends off completely but I started to enjoy the time of working out and getting outside! Last time I was sick was probably about 2 years ago! However, I have a really bad sensitivity to gluten and milk so if I get a little bit I get “sick” but I am not sure if that counts :) I really hope Brooke is feeling better! I am loving Chex and corn flakes! I eat around 7:00 to 7:15

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I’ve slowly but surely started to learn that rest days are VERY worth it… even if they drive me nuts. I always have to be creative on days I’m not running so I am distracted and don’t allow it to creep in and affect me.

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I have used a pizza cutter to cut my boys’ food for almost 2 years now. It’s genious and sometimes I even take one with me when we go out to eat. Infinitely easier than using a fork!!

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We are in Gilbert, AZ visiting my brother. It’s super close to Chandler. I would love to come to the meet-up if it works out!

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Rest days are SO hard. Lately, I’ve been working out as hard as I can during the week, and giving myself the entire weekend to recoup though because I’ve been a busy lady. Last year I had the flu, which turned into bronchitis and some weird sinus thing so I was out of commission for a whole 6 weeks! It was very depressing. I was out of breath trying to do 3 mile walks. Lost 7 pounds and a whole lot of fitness, but my love of it brought me back after a few weeks.

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Thank you for posting this today! I am bad at taking rest days, especially with the amount of classes I teach and how much I love working out. I taught 4 classes last week, ran 4.63 miles one day, took a class the other day and spent Sunday at a Wellness and Fitness retreat taking hours of classes… clearly I need a rest today, but this reminder helped!

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