01/26/2026
If rest days make you question whether you really “need” food- this post if for you!
❄️This time of year may come with some unplanned rest days as a result weather- this is your reminder that your body at “rest” is not fully resting and very much needs to be fed.
In fact the majority of your daily calorie needs come from basal metabolism, not exercise. Your basal metabolism is the amount of energy your body uses at complete REST — staying in your pj’s all day kind of rest ;)
🧠Most of your daily energy needs — up to ~70% of total energy expenditure — go toward basal metabolic processes that keep you alive at rest, like brain activity, heart pumping, breathing, organ function, and cellular maintenance.
This means even when you don’t work out, even when you’ve done “nothing”, your body still needs energy just to keep you alive.
🥯Food is not optional on rest days — it’s essential.
In fact the amount of energy you need to consume exceeds your BMR to account for other things like:
-reading a book
-vacuuming the house
-walking up stairs
-facetiming a friend
-brushing your hair
-petting your dog/cat
-etc.
If you logically understand this and it still feels hard that makes sense too. You are not alone in this struggle- we see you and are here for you
