People who intensely exercise: how quickly does missing exercise affect you negatively?

[unsinkable]

Is it reasonable to assume that someone who is exercsing intensely 2 hours a day, 6 days a week, starts to feel badly after missing 3 or 4 days?

 

TIA for any input.

[Snickerdoodle]

Someone who is exercising that intensely should have some kind of regular recovery period built into the system otherwise he/she will fizzle out.

 

 

In terms of your question, what do you mean "feel badly"?  

[unsinkable]

Someone who is exercising that intensely should have some kind of regular recovery period built into the system otherwise he/she will fizzle out.

 

 

In terms of your question, what do you mean "feel badly"?

Irritable, crabby, out of sorts...

[Kristie in Florida]

My husband gently noticed that I get irritable, crabby, out of sorts after I miss work outs. I seem to need the "runner high." So, maybe? My workouts consist of jogging for thirty minutes or so, three to four times a week. Not intense by any means. But, necessary.

[kiana]

Very quickly for me.

[bettyandbob]

It's a problem for me after 3 days. If I get to 5 days I am depressed and/or nasty.

[Wilma]

Very reasonable, yes.

[Hikin' Mama]

I don't feel badly if I miss a week, but it's usually because life is full of something else. For instance, if I go on vacation, I usually don't exercise in my normal way. However, walking is always part of my vacations because I love doing it. But I rarely work out intensely during that time and it doesn't bother me. I think a change of pace is good from time to time.

[Hikin' Mama]

Someone who is exercising that intensely should have some kind of regular recovery period built into the system otherwise he/she will fizzle out.

 

 

In terms of your question, what do you mean "feel badly"?

I agree with this. Rest and recovery are one of the most important parts of fitness, imho.

[Joyofsixreboot]

My husband gently noticed that I get irritable, crabby, out of sorts after I miss work outs. I seem to need the "runner high." So, maybe? My workouts consist of jogging for thirty minutes or so, three to four times a week. Not intense by any means. But, necessary.

[Joyofsixreboot]

Arg, on my phone.I agree with Kristie. Someone working out that intensely may have other things going on though.

[SJ.]

Is it reasonable to assume that someone who is exercsing intensely 2 hours a day, 6 days a week, starts to feel badly after missing 3 or 4 days?

 

TIA for any input.

 

Very reasonable.

 

Exercise makes me feel physically better as well as mentally and when I miss my workouts I can tell.

[In The Great White North]

Normal.

[MelAR05]

I start to feel sluggish and tired if I miss more than 2 days.

[trulycrabby]

Well, I missed yoga this morning and have been extremely crabby since, so I would say it sets in pretty fast. :)

 

If the person is extremely fit and not overtrained, then 3 days off could definitely cause the mood issues.

[Mom-ninja.]

I'm cranky if I miss any days that are not recovery days

[Chelle in MO]

Missing 3 or 4 days would definitely affect me.

 

Not to derail the thread, but what if I'm exercising intensely and not missing any workouts and am STILL irritable, crabby, and out of sorts?    :tongue_smilie:

[SJ.]

Missing 3 or 4 days would definitely affect me.

 

Not to derail the thread, but what if I'm exercising intensely and not missing any workouts and am STILL irritable, crabby, and out of sorts?    :tongue_smilie:

 

Just think of how bad it would be if you DIDN'T work out!

[bettyandbob]

Missing 3 or 4 days would definitely affect me.

 

Not to derail the thread, but what if I'm exercising intensely and not missing any workouts and am STILL irritable, crabby, and out of sorts?    :tongue_smilie:

 

Part of me says you probably aren't getting enough sleep.

 

Part of me says you are due for a girls' getaway (there are a lot of Y chromosomes in your house). Maybe one of those women's surfing programs in Baja California. Or a Yoga training at a mountain location. Or an open water training program in the Carribean. Chocolate and wine on the plane to and from the getaway.

 

[Chelle in MO]

Just think of how bad it would be if you DIDN'T work out!

 

Oh, sister...that is TOO scary to think of!   ;)

 

Part of me says you probably aren't getting enough sleep.

 

Part of me says you are due for a girls' getaway (there are a lot of Y chromosomes in your house). Maybe one of those women's surfing programs in Baja California. Or a Yoga training at a mountain location. Or an open water training program in the Carribean. Chocolate and wine on the plane to and from the getaway.

 

 

I think I'm good on sleep.

 

That getaway sounds like a great idea (maybe unsinkable would go with me!), but would I have to come back?   :biggrinjester:   

[bettyandbob]

 

 

That getaway sounds like a great idea (maybe unsinkable would go with me!), but would I have to come back?   :biggrinjester:   

 

Can I be invited? I think I really need it.

[sunnyday]

Is it reasonable to assume that someone who is exercsing intensely 2 hours a day, 6 days a week, starts to feel badly after missing 3 or 4 days?

 

TIA for any input.

 

My husband exercises hard for 2-4 hours per day, about 13 days out of every 14. He starts to get a little twitchy and snappish after even one day completely off, and is a total bear by 2-3 days out. We're not even going to talk about the depths to which we all sank when he was injured a few years ago.

 

I've been trying just to take a brisk walk daily, and I find that I'm a tiny bit edgy after missing 2-3 days as well.

[Chelle in MO]

Can I be invited? I think I really need it.

 

The more, the merrier!   :party:    

[Annie G]

I wonder how much of this feeling is due to not getting the 'me' time, or just not doing something you really enjoy rather than necessarily being due to not working out?  I mean, is it physical or is it also a mental thing to feel crummy when they go days without doing their workouts? 

 

My workouts are at LEAST as much of a getaway so I can think, be alone, and plan my day as they are an intense workout.   And when I workout with someone it's as much about being with someone else as it is about working out. 

 

I think other people are way more committed to their fitness than I am. g

[Catwoman]

Arg, on my phone.I agree with Kristie. Someone working out that intensely may have other things going on though.

Why would you suggest that someone who works out intensely may have other issues going on?

 

I could be mistaken, but I assumed that unsinkable was talking about a very fit person who was used to a lot of regular exercise, not someone who was obsessive about fitness in an unhealthy way.

[Joyofsixreboot]

Why would you suggest that someone who works out intensely may have other issues going on?

 

I could be mistaken, but I assumed that unsinkable was talking about a very fit person who was used to a lot of regular exercise, not someone who was obsessive about fitness in an unhealthy way.

I meant that someone exercising daily for 2 hours could ( COULD) be self medicating depression or a desire to be alone or maybe not. Just that if it's working for them and they can't get it they will be touchy. If I take more than a day off I get crabby. I know I'm using exercise as a med though.

[Desert Strawberry]

When I was working out intensely as a college athlete, I was in physical pain if I took 3 days off. I was putting in a lot more than 2 hours a day. 

[Xuzi]

I get crabby after about two days. I've even gotten to the point where I *will* workout while on vacation, if I don't feel like I'm getting enough physical activity otherwise. Some running clothes and an ipod are all I need.

 

And yes, I do workout to "self medicate". I get seriously crabby if I don't get my regular workout. It's my "me time".

[Catwoman]

I meant that someone exercising daily for 2 hours could ( COULD) be self medicating depression or a desire to be alone or maybe not. Just that if it's working for them and they can't get it they will be touchy. If I take more than a day off I get crabby. I know I'm using exercise as a med though.

Ok -- thanks! Now I understand what you meant. :)

[Tiramisu]

I deal with fatigue chronically and my energy is limited so I actually feel good when I don't exercise for a day or two. At the same time, if I don't exercise, I don't sleep well, and I'm likely to get grumpy by day three or four. 

[Kim in Appalachia]

By 3 days I would be a very unhappy person and my dh and children would be begging me to do something.  I think it's normal, because your body is used to a certain level of activity and when you miss it everything is out of whack. 

[fairfarmhand]

yes.

 

I get sore and achy if I don't after 2 days without, and I'm not working out more than 30-45 minutes each day.

 

I also need the alone time and the stress relief that it brings.

[KungFuPanda]

I exercise moderately about 8 hours a week. I have a fairly active life outside of regular dance classes too. I actually feel fine if I miss class. I'd have to miss about a month before I felt sluggish. Starting back up after a long break is another, painful story.

 

Daily, intense workouts will never be a part of my life again. (I was in the Army for 4 years.) In fact, this thread just adds to my list of excuses NOT to exercise too intensely :-)

[unsinkable]

Thanks for all the input. It is very helpful!