de-load

What is it? Purpose? How can I achieve this?

De-load or de-loading is a phase in which you place the body into a decreased level of activity by a small margin or cessation for a short period of time. The purpose is to provide about a week to recover from exercise.

During this layover or layoff, you can focus on nutrition, spend time researching a new exercise to fold into the new regime, get a massage, clean your house, restock your reserves, or simply relaxing and doing a total body cleanse.

I never knew how important this was although I have been familiar with it for years. I discovered that as we stay the course of a rigid routine, taking little time for rest, our bodies get overloaded with fatigue, never fully recovering before we swoop in and fire it up to go to the next phase.

Years ago, I would do cleanses each season. Since becoming a pescatarian, I don’t feel the need to cut food and juice. Don’t get me wrong, juicing is fabulous and I own one. This year, I have not juiced as much because I am focusing more on the whole foods that I eat and eliminating vitamins as much as possible.

Eventually, I will be only on an OMEGA/vegMulti.

I was set to roll out my new Sept/Oct routine straight out of the August program, not realizing that we’re facing fall, the fall runs, flu season, etc. and it has been since May that I cut and rested. My body had been feeling as if it was running into a stitch. You just know!

It was then I realized it’s time to de-load. I had to tweak the September schedule to adjust for the last week of Aug. to be a de-load week.  

Now that de-load is finally over fall can officially come into my workout routine with a front-loading vacation to commence the season. I can pick up where I left off and hit the ground running, literally.

de-load observations:

Flexibility:

My front right split was tight. It’s loosening and I can feel more relaxed, less tense when I move into it.

My full split stretches are looser, as I’m approaching 180 degrees-10.

Strength:

Upper/Back stronger, increased push-ups.  I may need to adjust the weights on my rows.

Abs stronger, more engaged during my routines.

Endurance:

Not tested yet.