[maass1981]

but i started doing pilates abs this week and let me tell ya, i did not know that these muscles were there! anyway, my question is, am i supposed to do this everyday or let my muscles recover some then do it again? i did it yesterday and then i walked this morning. i was even hurting while i was walking. thanks in advance for your help!

[bethbeth]

I think it would be good to have a day to recover....and do something else like walking!

[maass1981]

thank you much

[GradPhase]

Always listen to your body - with any fitness plan! Go when it feels good to go, and stop when it feels like you need to stop. If you need a day to recoup, that's okay!

[jamsk8r]

I started out with 3 days a week, did that for a few weeks, then added in jogging 3 other days a week, leaving one day off. Later, I added in weights 3 days a week, did that for a month or so. Recently switched up my weight routine to make it 5 days a week instead of 3. For me, starting with 3 days, giving it time to adjust before adding something new, was the way to go. I do take an extra rest day if I feel that I really need it, but usually try to stick to my schedule like glue, to make sure I'm not just skipping out of laziness. Good luck to you! Exercise is pretty addicting, as long as you're doing something you enjoy, so I hope you'll have fun with it!

[Tomato]

Two years ago, I did two courses of Yogalates at a local rec centre. We were fortunate to have THE most amazing instructor - I would have driven for her class anywhere. She worked us really hard and it took me THREE days to stop hurting after each class (it was only 1 class per week).
Unfortunately, she returned to the UK to do her PhD (or so I heard) and I don't know if she returned, but she was worth her weight in gold.
Give yourself time to recover.

[PhotoChick]

Here's the simple explanation of how it works:

When you exercise, you stress and damage your muscles. Tiny tears and pulls are created.

When you rest and provide adequate protein, vitamins, and liquids, that damage is repaired and the muscles become stronger.

When you don't give that damage time to repair, then you are stacking damage on top of damage and actually causing the muscles to become weaker rather than stronger.

Ideally you should exercise to the point of creating that damage, but not to excess. Then you should take a day off (or sometimes 2, if necessary) to allow the muscles to repair.

Repeat the cycle.

.