236. The Truth About Rest Days and Muscle Growth

If taking a rest day makes you feel guilty, anxious, or like you’re going to lose progress… this episode is for you.

In this episode, I’m talking about the mindset shift I had to make around rest days, recovery, and what actually helps your body change. I used to believe taking a day off would make me gain weight, lose momentum, or somehow fall behind. A rest day meant that “I failed the plan” A lot of that came from the fitness culture I was around at the time, where doing more was always praised and rest felt like laziness.

But when I got serious about truly changing how my body looked, I learned something big: progressive overload and recovery go together. Training is the stimulus, but recovery is where your body adapts. If your goal is muscle growth, strength, and body recomposition, rest is not optional - it’s part of the process.

In this episode, I break down what changed for me, why so many women struggle to rest, and how sleep and recovery actually support your progress.

Episode Recap:

• Why I used to think taking a day off would ruin my progress
• How old fitness culture shaped my beliefs around rest
• The mindset shift that changed how I approached training
• Why progressive overload and recovery go hand in hand
• How your body recovers and adapts after training
• What rest days can look like in real life
• Why rest is not lazy - it’s part of the plan

Links/Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Spring Mini-Challenge

• Grab your FREE Body Recomp Meal Prep and get the UFYF Newsletter
• SHOP Kion - my favorite Protein, EAA’s and Creatine!
• Listen to the Girls with Opinions Podcast
• Join FIT CLUB, my monthly membership with workouts you can do at home or the gym
• Join PRIVATE COACHING, my 1:1 program (choose 3 or 6 month option)
• Connect with me on Instagram @kristycastillofit and @unfuckyourfitnesspodcast so we can keep this conversation going-be sure to tag me in your posts and stories!
• Join my FREE Facebook group, Unf*ck Your Fitness
• Click HERE for my favorite fitness & life things!

More about the Unf*ck Your Fitness Podcast:

If you've tried all the fad diets and are sick and tired of not achieving your health and fitness goals long-term, you've come to the right place! Welcome to the Unf*ck Your Fitness Podcast with me, Kristy Castillo. I'm here to help you break the annoying diet cycle, gain confidence, and reach your health and fitness goals. 

This podcast will show you how to be proud of the body you have, build the body you want, and enjoy the process along the way. I'll cover topics like how to get the most from your workouts, the importance of feeding your body what it needs, and key mindset shifts that will empower you. I've broken through the BS surrounding diet culture and built my dream body, all while being a busy wife, Mom and business owner, and I know you can too!

Connect with me on Instagram at @kristycastillofit

Learn more about working together by visiting my website: https://www.kristycastillo.com/