should I take a break from exercise?

mommy2626

I have been working out 6 days a week sometimes 2xs a day for months to a year. I have been fluctuating between 123 and 118 lbs I would like to lose around 10 lbs. I found out i need to better track my diet already, I have been estimating my food. But I am wondering if a week off of exercise would be beneficial or detrimental. I am still planning to walk my son to school 1 mile each way, just not lift or hiit or anything. I talked myself into this at 5 this morning, but then at 630 had thoughts that I should have worked out ~~
any thoughts would be helpful!!
Thanks so much!!
angi

newhealthykim

Taking one or two days might help your muscles recover, but a week would probably have you losing too much fitness.

NEdblT

Exercise is a must but..... Weight Loss starts in the kitchen, imho.

_HeartsOnFire_

Taking a week off wouldn't hurt.

Reading your other posts...You probably do not need to lose weight, you may want to look into body recomposition.

mommy2626

what is body re composition?

Glowiie1

I can think of 2 good reasons to take a break: 1) if you're burned out, take a few days to recouperate. 2) If my weight loss has stalled with my normal diet and exercise plan, sometimes I change it up a bit. Over the course of 1 week I'll eat more, eat less, not work out, then work out a bunch - just try to keep my body guessing. It might not work for everyone, but my weight loss stall went away and I could resume my normal 1450 cal/day and exercise again.

For me, if I take a week off it's hard to restart. Plus, by the 4th day of inactivity I have a lot of trouble sleeping.

Why don't you try taking a couple days off (other than walking), and see how you feel?

_HeartsOnFire_

what is body re composition?

You say you lift? Are you following a program? How heavy are you lifting? Free weights or machines?

_HeartsOnFire_

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

This is a perfect example of body recomp....she lost the weight doing cardio and still didn't like how she looked...she started lifting heavy.
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

mommy2626

I do workouts on fitness blender, weights of 15-25 lbs not really heavy or anything.

_HeartsOnFire_

I do workouts on fitness blender, weights of 15-25 lbs not really heavy or anything.

Read the article I posted about Staci (or here it is again for easy finding...)
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

Here's another site about body recomp
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/

Look into lifting heavier.

Stronglifts Summary
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

Stronglifts Womens Group
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women


Take your measurements and progress photos before...When I started this program within 3 months I had lost inches everywhere! 2" in my legs.

If you can't get to lifting heavy yet, look into convict conditioning. It's a lot of body weight exercises.

Another awesome resource here...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress

_HeartsOnFire_

http://www.fitnessbaddies.com/why-lifting-weights-lets-you-eat-more-carbs-and-all-about-metabolism/

mommy2626

ok, i am still looking into all of that!! a lot of information!! lol!!
Thank you soo much!!