Okay, so now you’re working it. In fact in your womens fitness exercise, you’ve been working it consistently for about 5 weeks now. Your pushing your body to its limits on every workout or at least hitting your maximum heart rate for extended periods of time during your exercise, 3 to 4 days a week. Congratulations are in order. That’s a tough routine and sticking with it for so long deserves some kudos.

So what’s next? Well, now it’s time to “unload.”

I know that sounds a little weird and you may even be thinking that’s what I’ve been doing all along…unloading the excess weight. A synonym along the lines of, “unhitching the trailer” may even come to mind. From there you could even be thinking, “How much more do I have to do?”

No need to worry. The term doesn’t refer to either of those topics. “Unloading” is just a simple way of saying to take a break or give your body a rest. It doesn’t mean stop exercising. It simply means to reduce the work intensity.

Continuing to work in your women’s fitness program at such a high intensity without any break will only lead to injury and burnout. When you unload, you’re giving your body a chance to recoup, giving your muscles and joints a little break to help them rest and recover. I’m sure that after the effort they’ve been giving these past few weeks, they are talking to you just a little bit about how they are feeling. In fact they may even being offering up a few four letter words for your listening pleasure to clearly express themselves regarding the pain or discomfort they are experiencing. (You may want to plug your ears on those.)

Unloading will help quell the aches, or muffle the screams if the case may be. And the process is very simple. After 5 weeks of high intensity work in your womens fitness routine. Take a week performing your exercises at a lower intensity. If you’re use to working at an 85% intensity level, reduce it to 65%. Change your routine up. If you normally go running 4 to 5 days during the week, exchange one or two of your run days for a hike. Forego a spin class and exchange it for a mountain trail ride. If swimming is a normal component of exercise for you then try rowing. And when the unloading week is over, you can get back to your high intensity routine.

Following this rule of thumb accomplishes two things. Not only do you get to give your body a rest, but you’ll feel rejuvenated. You’ll be able to maintain your high level of effort or even push yourself harder over the course of the next five weeks. Plus, the unloading week is a motivator and treat. Maybe even consider it a bonus in your womens fitness schedule I don’t know about you but I tell myself that if I work hard for five weeks then I can ease up the week following. Although I also say it’s my cheat, it’s really not because I’m still exercising. However, if I can convince my muscles and joints it’s a treat, I’ve at least won that battle.

So put your work in and then go ahead and unload. It’s great for your body and when it comes to body aches, easier on your ears. And it will be a part of your womens fitness regimen that you’re gonna love.

Are you trying to get into shape? Do you have a goal you are trying to attain with your body? I know how hard it can be to get into shape. As a twenty year old female I had a 34% body fat ratio and was 45 pounds overweight. After several years of trying to learn how to get into shape the right way, I finally figured it out. Now my body fat percentage is lower, I’ve dropped my excess weight and at 41 years old I’m in the best shape of my life. You can read my story at Womens Fitness Central.