Didn't walk or exercise yesterday.

[Jeffjones297]

It's the first day I've missed since starting about a week ago.I had two appts during the day, a blood test at gps and an X-ray (hip) about 30 miles away.

When I got home I'm was tired and fed up and skipped exercising, I did however park in the wrong car park at the hospital and had a long walk there n back to the X-ray dept, so I probably got my walk in.

I'm going to prioritize walking n exercising over other things from now on, I know I have to do this to get myself back on the right health track.

I will set myself a simple list of things that *must be done* before I complete other tasks.

It really shouldn't be difficult, I'm retired after all and don't exactly have a busy life.

That missed day has really got to me ! I exercised for most of my adult life and was always keen and enjoyed it.

Poor health, a bad hip and getting older has depressed me and i know exercise helps with that.

No more missed days or sad excuses !!!

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

Well done for starting the programme and don't fret about 'missing' a day. You didn't 'miss' anything, you had a rest day. Rest days are incredibly important as this is when your body recovers and you grow stronger.

It doesn't even sound like you were being sedentary if you've been trotting around hospital car parks.

If you feel tired then take a break. You will feel so much better the next day than if you pushed too hard.

Overdoing things is one of the easiest ways to hurt yourself, and telling yourself you are somehow 'failing' or 'missing out' is a very easy route to self sabotage. Follow the C25K programme, rest days included, they are an integral and important part of the plan. Sometimes you may need to have more than one rest day. Doesn't matter, what matters is that you are well enough to stick with it.

Good luck!

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

Be kind to yourself sometimes life admin gets in the way, we all need a self care day! You sound determined so will be back on track in no time.

[00marks Graduate]

If you push yourself too much you will get injured. An important part of running is having time when you are not running. That is the time when you get stronger. Why not follow a plan that will incorporate different types of activities and also have planned rest days?

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Do you have a smart watch, or an app on your phone?

had to go to town yesterday, but parked in a more distant car park. Turned my walking/running app on, and walked to the shop and back. Just under 30 minutes (including time faffing in shop), logged as 16 minutes actual moving time…so even out shopping, I logged an activity.

Also, if you download the Active10 app on your phone, it will log every active minute you walk…

[Northstarx98]

Although rest days are important I am very similar to you. Since starting this journey C25k I have not had a rest day I must admit because I feel like you that I would be really gutted and that I have let myself down. But you are doing so good and like you said you managed a good walk on that day and if I had two appointments that far from each other I would not feel up for anything other then to rest at home afterwards and put something on to watch and relax. You are doing great and don't feel gutted at all! Keep up the good work and you will smash the onwards journey

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to Northstarx98]

It's really important to take rest days Northstarx98 , especially if you're working to a time frame. When you run, especially in the beginning, you are putting new strains on the muscles and microtears form. The rest days are when the muscles heal, and as they heal you get stronger. If you don't take the rest days incorporated into C25K you are leaving yourself open to a greater risk of injury.

It's sooo tempting to overdo it when things are going well, but please don't sabotage yourself!