Well, I take two days off a week and this happens to be one of the days. I let my body rest but it doesn't mean I stop.
Let me tell you why. Back in my Karate days I injured myself months before tournament season but I was commited. At first, my mind wanted to give up while throwing every excuse at me and trying to create doubt. I knew I had a few months to perform and I wanted to give myself the benefit that I could heal and I could have enough time to practice.I physically could not practice but I continued to go to the Dojo and watch every Kata and Kumite (sparring) match. I spent nights going through my head every step and pattern. I then picked apart every fight and placed myself in every position. After months went by, my body did heal and I had two weeks to prepare myself. So every day I went and practised, physically applying my body with months of mental practice. Not once could I accept fear or fill my head with what ifs. All of a sudden I was on a bus to the Provincials and sleeping in an overcrowded stinky room getting no sleep before the big day. You know what? I won gold in Kata and Kumite (Sparring). Since then I knew that even while my body was at rest my mind did not have to be but I had to keep calm and positive.
Today, I apply this belief to my rest days. I focus on the next workout adding or subtracting movements while feeding my body with micronutrients from raw green veggies,water and applying the protein ratio so I can heal. I make sure I continue to remain calm and positive. This is important! Remaining calm helps the body receive and distribute the nutrients without any extra stress keeping my cortisol levels low. Cortisol is the devil.
{Cortisol (hydrocortisone) is a steroid hormone, more specifically a glucocorticoid, produced by the adrenal gland.It is released in response to mental or physical stress.}
After two days of hard core workouts the body can get worn down from this hormone. By researching different tools to keep stress at bay it becomes easier to manage. Some of the tools I use are Yoga breathing (Pranayama) three times a day, green tea Matcha mixed with a tsp of Macca, green drinks and the most important is filling my day off with positive motivating things. To do this, I make sure I take a glance at my vision board, head to the home page of Vegan BodyBuilding & Fitness then coast through stories of awesome athletes or I hit the internet as well as communicate with my friends; being social making sure I get my vitamin P (people). Tim Van Orden taught me that.
By keeping calm I'm allowing my body to heal and prepare for the following workouts.
Okay, I'll stop rambling but remember to take a moment for Now. Respect the body but stay connected with the spirit and mind. All three go hand in hand and by doing this your rest day will be a successful one. Results will follow.
David
