Vacation (strength training)

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bioklutz
bioklutz Posts: 1,365 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I started strength training in January (NROL4L). I am going on vacation soon and will have 14 days in a row where I won't be strength training. My time off won't be completely devoid of activity. There will be lots of day hikes around Shenandoah National Park. I will be eating more calories than I should and might temporarily gain a pound or two. I am in maintenance mode but do plan on splurging. I have been looking at food porn for the restaurants in the area and I can't wait!

What will it be like getting back into strength training after my vacation is over? Will the first few workouts really suck? Will it be hard to do all the reps? I was just curious what to expect.

Replies

  • glennstoudt
    glennstoudt Posts: 403 Member
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    http://www.mensfitness.com/training/workout-routines/5-ways-to-work-out-without-weights
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,613 Member
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    I've noticed that after just one week without lifting, I am very sore the next time I start again. My strength doesn't decrease much--maybe just scale back 5-10lbs or cut the reps or sets a little, its just getting over the initial soreness that's tough. Are you staying at a hotel? Many either have workout areas with machines or will have guest passes to gyms nearby. You can always to body weight exercises like push-ups, squats, and lunges in your room.
  • Laughter_Girl
    Laughter_Girl Posts: 2,226 Member
    edited April 2015
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    +1 for body weight exercises. All you need is a small amount of space and your body, which I assume you will have with you. :)

    Oops, I forgot the most important thing. Enjoy your vacation!!!
  • bioklutz
    bioklutz Posts: 1,365 Member
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    I will be camping. The campground does not have a workout room. If I can find a piece of even soft earth I can do a few body weight exercises. Lunges and squats will probably be easy to do. OMG non weighted lunges sound sooooo easy. I have been doing weighted reverse lunges from a step and hate them so much :smile: I can probably do some elevated push-ups on the bench of the picnic table. Will those really help when I get back into my routine?
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,613 Member
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    Yes, they will. You can put on a backpack and do "weighted" lunges. Put your feet on the bench and do inverted push-ups, turn around and do tricep dips, and you can do step-ups on the bench as well. You could also try pistol squats, they don't need to be weighted.
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,112 Member
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    It will probably be like going back to work on Monday. But who cares. This is the whole reason you put in all that hard work to get stronger ! Go enjoy all your new strength.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,210 Member
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    Also some bodyweight rows, since pulling & pushing sets should be about equal in number.

    Reduce the sets & weight your first day back with NROL, so you can move the next day. :+1:
  • wookiemouse
    wookiemouse Posts: 290 Member
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    You can also bring a band for upper body activities. What I would suggest is to tailor your schedule such that one of those vacation weeks falls during a break in your lifting. Then you'll just have an additional week off, and it won't be so bad.
  • bioklutz
    bioklutz Posts: 1,365 Member
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    Thanks everyone, great ideas! I never would have thought of the bodyweight rows on my own!

    I am actually at the end of the program and ready to start back at phase 1 with some new exercises. I have been doing some extra phase 3 workouts because I didn't want to start something new right before vacation.

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