Navy Fit Week 23 – B

Rest

Believe it or not, rest is extremely important in any fitness routine. As we start exercising (Both cardio and strength training) your body will need rest to fully recover. During exercise (Especially resistance training) you create micro tears in your muscle fibers. These tiny injuries are extremely important to you. While you sleep your mind is at ease in dreamland, but your body is at work repairing itself. During this process, your muscles are recovering from the micro tears and adding more muscle in its place. Remember that little fact. I’ll tell you why it is so good in a future article.

I’m not able to site the source on this next tidbit. Before the invention of the electric light bulb, Americans were getting about 8 – 10 hours of sleep a night. We are now down to 6 – 8 hours a night. You need rest to function properly. Set a goal with your spouse to have the lights out and the TV off with at least 8 and a half hours before your alarm goes off. Do this for 1 week and see how you feel.