Weight training- if I start, what happens when I stop?

samiejones1
samiejones1 Posts: 35 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Ok so before everyone says don't stop there's a valid reason for my question :-)

After reading lots of posts on the forum it's clear that lifting weights is the way forward!!

I am going travelling (around the world for approx 2 years or so) at the end of this year.

Obviously there will still be times I can work out and I'll be very active seeing all the sights etc. But my question is if I start lifting heavy now and then in 8 months am not able to sustain this will it have a negative effect?

Would I be best just doing bodyweight excersises from now as this will be sustainable throughout my travels?

Basically I'm worried about building muscle (I know it won't be a lot as I'm a woman and it takes ages) and then it turning to fat when I stop.

Any advise would be very welcome :-)

Thanks x

Replies

  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    Would I be best just doing bodyweight excersises from now as this will be sustainable throughout my travels?
    This is a good strategy considering it may be difficult to find gyms on your travels.

    Basically I'm worried about building muscle (I know it won't be a lot as I'm a woman and it takes ages) and then it turning to fat when I stop.
    Doing a bodyweight routine you won't gain a lot of muscles. It will help you stay fit and maintain the muscles you already have.

    Muscle doesn't turn into fat. You can lose muscle if you're on a calorie deficit and don't train. You will put on fat if you have a calorie surplus. Fat happens when people stop training and they don't bother lowering their calories.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    As stated, muscle does not turn to fat. In light of what you know is coming I would say strength train using a good bodyweight program since then you can do it while traveling. If you want to lift weights, go for it, stopping for a while will simply mean losing the strength you gained. If you keep your calories in line in relation to your switch away from lifting weights when you stop, you will not put on fat.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Do not fear having to "only" do body weight workouts when travelling. Lift how ever you chose to now and when you travel do the BW work. Some BW resources are
    Nerdfitness
    Strength unbound
    Convict conditioning
    Shot of adrenaline

    With the correct progressions you can continue to gain strength all thru your travels
  • mzthang77
    mzthang77 Posts: 43 Member
    Why dont you get a set of resistance cables and use those on your trip?
  • Strokingdiction
    Strokingdiction Posts: 1,164 Member
    Why dont you get a set of resistance cables and use those on your trip?

    This is what I do. I have a little travel case that holds three bands and a couple different grips. All I need is a door and a door jam but I can make due when I go to those placed that don't even have that.

    It's not my normal lifting heavy routine but I don't feel like I'm throwing away my previous month's training just because I have to travel.
  • onefortyone
    onefortyone Posts: 531 Member
    I kind of know the feeling. I am lifting as much as I can right now (which really isn't a lot), and really enjoying it, but I know that as soon as I get pregnant my Dr's are gonna put me on restrictions - last time I couldn't lift anything over 25lbs, so that'd put a stop to my lifting routine. I know it won't turn into fat though, unless I eat without burning it off. I'm going to continue to lift now, and get all the awesome benefits from it until we officially start TTC, then just stop and make sure to adjust calories when I can no longer lift.
  • samiejones1
    samiejones1 Posts: 35 Member
    Thanks for all your replies!
    Why dont you get a set of resistance cables and use those on your trip?

    I could do, depending how big they are. I'm backpacking so cannot take anything that isn't absolutely essential!
  • luckydays27
    luckydays27 Posts: 552 Member
    You can also look at trx/suspensionsuspension workouts. You can buy a knock off set from Woss enterprises on Amazon for less than $40. I have resistance bands but I switched to the suspension training and its a better workout. I feel more challenged by it.

    I have the woss setup and use it when I travel ask the time. Just need a door or other overhead rail. You can even use a pole. I love taking it to the park.

    As for routines there are lots available online. Nearly anything you can do on a machine, you can do on the suspension straps.
  • Karabobarra
    Karabobarra Posts: 782 Member
    Just bumping for information :)
  • Onderwoman
    Onderwoman Posts: 130
    You will become a sniveling pile of blubber if you have any two day period without continuous weighted resistance... :P

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