I took the past two weeks off from the gym in order for rest and recovery following the Nicole Wilkins 60 Day Transformation program which was challenging for me.

I took the time off in order to:

  • Let my Joints Rest
  • Let my Body Recover
  • Let my Mind recover

This is rare in the fitness industry these days.  The mantra is: GRIND GRIND GRIND. NO DAYS OFF.  TRAIN INSANE

What is sad is that people who subscribe to these mantras are always complaining of nagging injuries, getting sidelined by injury, and worst of all I look at people who said that stuff 20 years ago and a lot of them can’t even really work out anymore.

Their joints are so messed up that they’re having shoulder and hip replacements before the age of 50!!

No thanks.

When you follow the people who took plenty of rest, time off, and didn’t destroy their bodies with training, they are still working out in their 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and beyond.

That is my goal!  I want to be healthy, vibrant, and LIVING as I get better with time.  I’m not trying to break my body down due to foolish training.

Now that I am over 35, I am implementing rest and recovery.  I’m also going to implement more mind/body exercise as well.  I will incorporate barre and yoga next.  I just couldn’t resist a challenge that’s focused on getting stronger and adding lean body mass!  Seeing as it was only 35 Days, I could not turn it down so here we are again with Ms. Nicole Wilkins.

First week done and the recovery was a success

The training is Body Parts are Trained 2x per week.  This means we are in for 6 Days of Lifting.  YIKES!  That is a lot but this is a short term program.  I would not recommend doing this long term and due to the fact that I have a life and other things to do sometimes I combine days for 5 Days.

The workouts change every other week.

Still aiming for 2-3 HIIT workouts a week whether they are my Les Mills Sprint Class, Treadmill, or some strength training!

The last time I started Nicole’s program I was feeling very beat up the first couple weeks.  I was sore, tired, and it was tough to make it through the workouts.

This time I am just a tad bit sore and I am making it through the workouts much easier.  I attribute this to improved conditioning but also to the two weeks of recovery.  My joints feel great and I am even noticing some weights going back up.

This is an important lesson for anyone over the age of 35.  Your body needs to recover from intense exercise.  I know we hear:  GRIND GRIND GRIND and WORK WORK WORK but I think this is the way to lead to injury and burnout.

While we should be consistent and challenge ourselves, we also need to allow our bodies to recover and become stronger.

Nutrition

I am adding in some extra protein in the way of a plant protein shake but the other big challenge for myself is to eat more.  I know that in order to increase lean body mass you need to eat more and so I’ve been increasing some of my portions and  sometimes adding in a snack or two.

Eating more works for your metabolism and also for Lean Body Gains!!