How long does it take to lose Muscle?

soldiergrl_101

How long does it take to lose Muscle? I was heavy lifting a lot the past 4 month, but since its been getting colder I converted to running sense I'm anemic the cold effects me more than normal people. I really don't want to loose all the definition I have made are their exercises I could do at home to keep me from loosing muscle?

DopeItUp

The research isn't super defined on the topic but after a few weeks (3+ I'd say) you will start losing muscle mass if you don't keep up on your regimen. Total caloric intake, macro split and activities performed will also influence this, of course.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

I don't understand why you'd stop lifting because it's cold. Are you lifting outside?

soldiergrl_101

BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »

I don't understand why you'd stop lifting because it's cold. Are you lifting outside?

Because its a mile walk through the city to get to the weight room, and if this winter is anything like last winter in Boston then I wont be walking through mounds of snow to get there with anemia. Im still working out, thats why I am trying to find weight lifting exercises that I can do at the house when I am not doing cardio on the tredmill

hamlet1222

I experimented on myself a few years back, stopping lifting for several months, but testing my 3 rep max every two weeks. I found it took a couple of months before significant loss in strength - no big deal. Of course my twice monthly three rep max test will have provided a bit of training, but unavoidable. Enjoy your winter regime!

EzRemake

If you aren't eating at a deficit and going too crazy with the cardio, and you keep your protein high, you should be ok for 1-2 months. It depends how much muscle you've built in those 4 months lifting. The less trained you are, the faster your body reverts to a non-trained state.

Sam_I_Am77

Deconditioning is believed to occur at approximately 3-weeks, so that's probably when you'll start to observe loss of strength. Maintaining protein consumption might help mitigate some of the effect but it's hard to say really. Where are you running, indoor treadmill?

jofjltncb6

Do you not leave the house at all during winter?

Uber?

DopeItUp

soldiergrl_101 wrote: »

BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »

I don't understand why you'd stop lifting because it's cold. Are you lifting outside?

Because its a mile walk through the city to get to the weight room, and if this winter is anything like last winter in Boston then I wont be walking through mounds of snow to get there with anemia. Im still working out, thats why I am trying to find weight lifting exercises that I can do at the house when I am not doing cardio on the tredmill

A mile? Consider it your warmup. Perfect.

soldiergrl_101

Ya I use a indoor treadmill. In Boston you have to pay $12 just to park at CVS for five min so driving a car 1 mile down the road to pay crazy parking fees for an hour at the MIT gym is dumb. I just moved out here so I am trying to adjust to the cold which I haven't yet...I have already noticed my routine getting off balance because of the cold weather that's why I'm trying to see what I could do at home on my own time. I'm not saying hitting the gym is out I'm just prepping for the worst case scenario so I don't completely have to start over

cafeaulait7

Check out the bodyweight regimes that are always listed in the bodyweight or new lifter threads Those should suit you fine (and toasty!).

rileyes

soldiergrl_101 wrote: »

How long does it take to lose Muscle? I was heavy lifting a lot the past 4 month, but since its been getting colder I converted to running sense I'm anemic the cold effects me more than normal people. I really don't want to loose all the definition I have made are their exercises I could do at home to keep me from loosing muscle?

I just came back from a vacation. No barbells. But there were Dumbbells. Those gave me a better core and balance workout since each arm had to do their duty. So you could invest in heavy Dumbbells and progress with pistol squats. (Or switch to a kettlebell program) The pros here can say whether that may help to retain what you built.

soldiergrl_101

rileyes wrote: »

soldiergrl_101 wrote: »

How long does it take to lose Muscle? I was heavy lifting a lot the past 4 month, but since its been getting colder I converted to running sense I'm anemic the cold effects me more than normal people. I really don't want to loose all the definition I have made are their exercises I could do at home to keep me from loosing muscle?

I just came back from a vacation. No barbells. But there were Dumbbells. Those gave me a better core and balance workout since each arm had to do their duty. So you could invest in heavy Dumbbells and progress with pistol squats. (Or switch to a kettlebell program) The pros here can say whether that may help to retain what you built.

What size Dumbbells were you using, I have 10 pounders

mike_bold

I've got a bunch of kettlebells at home for this exact reason. I use at home when I can't make the gym. Some time back I quit the gym for a year and used a pair of 24kg, a pair of 32kg and a 40kg. No significant muscle lost.

10 pounds is good as a door stop, go heavier! Marianne Kane recommends woman to start on a 6 or 8kg, but quickly progress to the 16kg.

youngmomtaz

Or you could go buy some proper winter gear. I live in manitoba. Have been severely anemic for the past 8 years. I dress in layers with a ski pants and a down jacket on top. In minus 40C with a severe windchill I can still go for a two mile walk/snowshoe/ski. It all depends on what you are wearing. Layers mean I can open a zipper when I get too warm so I don't get all sweaty, and the. I can close it again. Yeah, I come in the house with some gloriously frosted eyelashes but I moved my body and the sunshine got in my eyes a bit.

rileyes

soldiergrl_101 wrote: »

rileyes wrote: »

soldiergrl_101 wrote: »

How long does it take to lose Muscle? I was heavy lifting a lot the past 4 month, but since its been getting colder I converted to running sense I'm anemic the cold effects me more than normal people. I really don't want to loose all the definition I have made are their exercises I could do at home to keep me from loosing muscle?

I just came back from a vacation. No barbells. But there were Dumbbells. Those gave me a better core and balance workout since each arm had to do their duty. So you could invest in heavy Dumbbells and progress with pistol squats. (Or switch to a kettlebell program) The pros here can say whether that may help to retain what you built.

What size Dumbbells were you using, I have 10 pounders

On vacation I used 10s and 25s depending. At home I use a 25 and 35 kettlebell for circuits (I bought them on Amazon.com).

Dez11B

I believe as long as you keep up with your protein and not just lay around the house you should keep your muscle. If you do lose a little it's not as hard to get it back vs building new muscle.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

Have a read up about convict conditioning. You can do that with no equipment and from home.

Sam_I_Am77

I think part of it boils down to how important your strength training goals area to you. If you do it just for exercise it's not a big deal. If you have certain training goals, then get some warm clothes for the walk. I'm from the Chicago area and I definitely didn't stay home when it was -10 outside.

rileysowner

soldiergrl_101 wrote: »

Ya I use a indoor treadmill. In Boston you have to pay $12 just to park at CVS for five min so driving a car 1 mile down the road to pay crazy parking fees for an hour at the MIT gym is dumb. I just moved out here so I am trying to adjust to the cold which I haven't yet...I have already noticed my routine getting off balance because of the cold weather that's why I'm trying to see what I could do at home on my own time. I'm not saying hitting the gym is out I'm just prepping for the worst case scenario so I don't completely have to start over

High quality outerwear makes a big difference, anemic or not. Usually people don't do well picking a winter coat. A good winter coat must have a good amount of insulation, but more than that, it needs to keep the wind from getting in, a wind proof, water proof shell is a must because without it all the insulation in the world will not work because the wind will blow right through it. Columbia Outerwear makes some really good coats. I would recommend a good ski shop or outdoors specialty store as they will have much better quality than anywhere else. The Norwegians have a saying that goes something like this, "There is not bad weather, just bad clothing."