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Alternate Every Other Day

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 2:15 pm
by Bridge
I have found that working out every other day is best. Doing the Perpetual Exercises one day, and going for long walks on alternate days, enables you to give your best to each component of fitness, strength training and cardio. Otherwise, in time you will burn yourself out, and not feel like exercising at all. We gain strength from rest as well as the exercise itself, and exercising the same muscles every day is really not a good idea, over the long haul.

Re: Alternate Every Other Day

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:33 am
by emfermi
I guess it all comes down to try and listen to our bodies. Not every day we have the same energy levels and certainly we do change as the years go by.

As for myself, I prefer to work every day because it helps me get on with my day. If I fail to train, I fail to accomplish other things of the day. But I always rest on Sundays, of everything. That includes exercise, diet and work. If on Monday I find I have any discomfort while trying to exercise, I take it easy that day and maybe rest the next one. For example, last week I experienced certain discomfort on my right shoulder. I did as explained and by Wednesday all soreness was gone. Also, I noticed that I had recently being sleeping lying on my right side, thus putting extra strain on that shoulder.

By the way, by saying I take a break of my diet on Sundays it does not mean I lay down all day and eat like a pig. Simply that I enjoy certain desserts, foods and drinks I would not eat the rest of the days. That usually means having some kind of pasta for lunch with a glass of coke and ice cream, all in reasonable amounts.

Re: Alternate Every Other Day

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 9:22 pm
by Bridge
Right on, we have to listen to our bodies, and we all "march to a different drummer". I just wonder how many of us really work out every day or twice a day, and still manage to walk 3 miles daily as Atlas recommends? It takes quite a commitment to do this, and a lot of energy! As time goes by, Father Time tells us to slow down and smell the roses a little more! So, in an effort to maintain all around fitness, I do the Perpetual Lesson every other day, and really put some effort in doing so. Likewise, on my walking days, I hit the hills, or raise the elevation on my treadmill and really go at it. You mention, Enfermi, that we have to always watch our diet to a degree, and this is so true, as fitness is really 70 percent nutrition and 30 percent exercise.

Re: Alternate Every Other Day

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:02 pm
by Bridge
I like to mix up my workouts to avoid burnout and boredom. The last couple of days I have arisen and did just one set of the Perpetual Lesson exercises, as many as possible of each, and then immediately going on a 4 mile walk. It's amazing, I have had unlimited energy the last few days I've been trying this.

Re: Alternate Every Other Day

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 2:23 am
by emfermi
I will do the exercises that way next week. This week is all crazy and prefer not to add another variable to watch. :D

Re: Alternate Every Other Day

Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2010 12:07 pm
by Bridge
I know what you mean! :D We are having a lot of inlaws and "outlaws" over for Christmas, along with our own big family, so this new program of mine is working fine for the holiday season, as I get up early before the rooster crows and get it done! :D By the time the rooster begins to awake and think of crowing, I've returned from my walk and am ready to eat breakfast and begin the days activities. It's a quick and effective program. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

In the first quarter of the 20th century, there was no such thing as multiple sets. The training concept of the "set system" hadn't been invented yet. Everybody did one set per exercise and that was it. A typical bodybuilder’s routine would have consisted of 12 exercises covering the entire body, with only one set per exercise. This full body workout would be performed 3 days a week, every other day.

Re: Alternate Every Other Day

Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:33 pm
by ttiros
I am 62 and find that everyother day is the best for me. My shoulders hurt much less this way. I do the perpetual excerises on the off days once in the morning and once at night.

Re: Alternate Every Other Day

Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 4:03 pm
by Bridge
We have to do as Enfermi says, "listen to our bodies". I have gone back and forth trying both every other day or every day in the past, but at this time of my life, doing one set of as many reps as I can of the Perpetual Lesson exercises, and then going for a long walk, works best for me.