​Rest days are scheduled in our exercise programs for a reason. These days allow your muscles to recuperate, repair, build, and assist in preventing injury.  We apply so much stress on our muscles, joints and organs during our workouts, that it is only fair that we be nice to them and allow them to rest.
 
But, rest days don’t mean that you do nothing at all! You don’t just sit on the couch watching T.V. or lying in bed all day. Of course, if you’re under the weather or have been out too late celebrating a birthday or wedding, then you may want to rest all day. I’ve been there and know it sucks. If that isn’t the case, then you still need to get up and move. Think of it as more of an active recovery day.
 
Don’t get scared of the word active, I am not going to tell you to go run 10 miles or do a 20 minute HITT workout. Active recovery focuses on a low intensity workout that will get the blood moving and assist in reducing muscle soreness. Some recommendations would be take a walk, slow bike ride, an easy swim, or yoga. Something that isn’t going to tax your system but will provide oxygen to those muscles that are recovering so they don’t become too tight and sore.
 
Some benefits you can expect from including active recovery are:
 
Aid in recovery and decrease delayed onset muscle soreness
Boost the immune system
Reduce the chance of injury from over use or repetitive movement
Help you stay invested and interested in your exercise program
 
Try including an active recovery day into your training program and reap the benefits from it. I know I appreciate the feeling of being able to walk or sit without cringing in anticipation of pain when I incorporate them into my exercise program.  

​The statement below says it all when relating it to health goals, okay with everything that you are trying to achieve. Hardly ever do I hear someone say they lost their discipline, usually I hear "I lost my motivation". Of course you're going to lose motivation if you don' train or develop your self-control, otherwise known as discipline. How does this sound, use discipline, actually self-discipline as your motivation.

Crazy right? The idea of working on self control or training your body to be healthier through instructions and exercise, then sticking with those changes. Self-discipline is the correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement. The definition of discipline has the words; self control, training, instruction and exercise in it. If you're having a hard time staying motivated maybe you need to evaluate how you are disciplining yourself to reach your goals.