About a week ago, I wrote an email concerning how my unbridled pigheadedness caused me a bunch of grief.
Specifically, I kept on training when I really shouldn’t have and wound up mentally and physically exhausted.
It was a stupid move, and I’ve paid the price.
Anyway.
I’ve since taken a week off of training proper. (I’ve still walked for at least an hour every day because walking isn’t training – regardless of what everyone from fat activists to fat loss coaches seem to think).
The result?
As expected.
I feel better.
Less achy, in a better mood, and boasting more energy generally.
Do I feel 100%?
No – because I have a family to lead and a business to run, so feeling less-than-perfect is par for the course.
But I do feel better.
Which raises the question:
How do you know it’s time to take a week off training?
Truthfully, it depends. Training frequency, intensity, volume, and density are obviously key considerations. Plus what you’re actually training for (for example, fat loss training is more demanding than strength training, in most cases), your diet, other life stresses, and so on, and so on.
Which means that, unfortunately, I can’t give you a definitive answer.
I can, however, offer a couple of approaches for you to consider:
The first is taking a rest week every set number of weeks. (6, 8, 12 – whatever feels right for you).
This is the approach I’ve taken most of the time, although these days I’m less strict with it as I’ve got two kids under four and developed workaholism.
The second is what a guy called Paul Carter wrote about in his blog Lift, Run Bang. (Last I checked, his site hasn’t been updated in years and I’ve no idea what he’s doing or teaching now, but I used to read his material voraciously back in the day).
It’s called the “No deload deload”, which basically boils down to taking time off when you no longer feel like training, and only going back when you’re itching to go back. I’m being deliberately light on the details here because I can’t remember his exact recommendations, so if you’re curious Google is your friend.
Can’t say I’ve ever been brave enough to try this. (Once being very fat and terrified of being very fat again will do that to you). However, I can see how it could work very well for certain people under certain conditions.
Alright, enough. It’s shilling time:
Working with me costs £3.29/day.
That’s less than some of the meal deals at Tesco (which are £3.90 without a clubcard, apparently).
Not a princely sum, for sure.
Regardless, you should still think about it very carefully because my methods and manner are really not for everyone.
Certainly not the weak willed, feeble minded, morally bankrupt, or terminally fragile.
But if you’re a decent bloke who just wants to do right by yourself and your family?
We’ll get along just fine.
Probably.
All the info about working with me is here:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/information/
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman