Taking a break from exercise

tmcpeake4
tmcpeake4 Posts: 8 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Three years ago this June is when I started this new lifestyle of counting calories and exercising. I am down 116 pounds and would like to lose about 10 more. I know these will be pretty hard pounds.

I've been in a stall for several months, changing up eating more/less, low carb, change in exercise etc...my trainer has recommended that I take a week off from exercise-keeping in a walk if needed for mental health. I typically work out 6 days a week, body pump, yoga, biking, swimming, running, boot camp for an hour are in my rotation. Nothing too major.

Any thoughts?

Replies

  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    This is your first week off in three years?

    Taking some time off once in awhile can help give your CNS a break.
  • lemonlionheart
    lemonlionheart Posts: 580 Member
    edited April 2016
    When I take an exercise break I often see a drop on the scale due to water weight, as muscles tend to hold on to water to repair when I've been working out hard.

    An exercise break won't address why you have stalled, however. Stalls lasting more than a month can generally be attributed to errors in logging ie unknowingly eating at maintenance. Have you double-checked your calorie goal to make sure that you are still aiming for a deficit at your lower weight? Also, as you lose less and your deficit becomes smaller it is REALLY important that you track accurately and consistently as there is much less room for error. Are you using a digital food scale, and weighing everything in grams?
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Hahaha we must be twins. Been here over 3 years and I'd still like to lose a few pounds but it's been extremely hard. And my legs are pretty much constantly sore from exercising, so I know that I really need a week off exercising... I just don't want to take it because I need those extra calories.

    I DID take 3 days off a couple months ago and it helped... some. Then I got sick 10 days ago and had to take 4 days off but I don't think my body used up any calories to help my muscles because my legs were just as sore when I started exercising again.

    So I hear you.
  • tmcpeake4
    tmcpeake4 Posts: 8 Member
    I have taken a break when I am sick, or on vacation. Otherwise, it's six days a week on average. I weigh and measure all my food, just like I have since the beginning. It's just a natural part of eating for me now. My calorie intake is slightly lower than what MFP has me at, but if I am hungry I eat. My poor trainer is baffled!
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Congrats on your success! Do what seems right for you because you clearly have this figured out by now.

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