One of the most important, and most neglected, factors in getting into shape is rest. Many would-be fitness buffs learn all they can about exercise, nutrition, and supplementation but then forgo recovery. Moreover, the fast-paced lifestyle we sustain today contributes to this. Our society almost glamorizes an always-on-the-go, no-time-to-sleep lifestyle, and while this is not life threatening, it certainly is going to contribute to your ill-health and generally foul mood. Your energy level will bottom out, coordination will be sluggish, ability to think clearly will suffer, and your immune system will ultimately break down, leaving you open to illness. The worse thing is that you probably won't be aware that you're lacking sleep: At least until your poor body breaks down under the strain.
It's important to remember that while you sleep your body is taking care of important business; Muscle growth occurs due to protein synthesis, fat is metabolized and burned off, cells are renewed, blood is recharged (just like battery electrolyte), hair and fingernails get longer, and digestion occurs. In other words: Growth. This all happens only while we snooze. If you aren't getting enough rest in between your workouts then you're heading towards a burn-out, and you won't be able to get yourself going for your next workout. You'll be exhausted. The fact is that your body doesn't slim down and shape up in the gym. The growth you experience during your workout is merely your muscles being pumped full of blood, which is really the idea of pumping iron to begin with. But don't confuse that temporary pump with actual growth: that happens in your bed.
Try your level best to get at least 8 hours of good sleep every night. Many professional athletes aren't ashamed to admit that they spend upwards of 10 hours snoozing, with naps during the day. Try to get a good 1 hour nap during the day to supplement what you get at night. Remember that if you are trying to lose weight and get into shape then your body is under more stress than usual. So, take a warm shower, get a cup of warm milk, grab a good book or magazine, and hit the sack. A good night's rest really can be a cure-all for whatever ails you, and believe you me; you'll thank me in the morning.
Copyright © 2006 David Dietz - All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, give author name credit and follow all of the EzineArticles terms of service for Publishers.
