Just got out of a slump/rut I was in.
I was training hard as usual but my enthusiasm started to wane,this happens to me at times as I get burnt out.
After a week or so off,my enthusiasm to train starts to return so I hit the gym once again.
Starting back tomorrow with legs...my gym was closed for the holidays,so it was the perfect time for a break as I was feeling overtrained and tired.
I think about quitting,but it`s like a tonic that keeps me young and is a huge part of my daily routine.
Seeing people in the gym much younger than me that look like shit,motivates me not to look like them also.....another good reason to train.
Breaks?
I very seldom take them except as I noted above.
I do what I call an "active rest"...........I still train,but lighten the poundages,take longer rest periods between sets,and just kind of go through the motions.......this is easy to do and gives the joints,tendons,and ligaments a well earned respite.
You`re still moving,getting a pump,but nothing too strenuous for a week or so,then back to training hard once again.
It`s sort of like periodization,which I ALWAYS do by training according to how I feel on any given day,but more so as this "active rest" takes the place of a layofff.