Same weight suddenly tougher?

mkupartist

Noticed today that it was SO much harder to lift the same weight on a chest press machine than I ever have noticed. I haven't changed anything that I know of and haven't taken any breaks from working out, what gives? Did I all of a sudden lose a bunch of muscle? I could only do 8 reps a set when I used to do 10!

I usually do cardio every day and then rotate days for my strength training from upper body and lower body.

erickirb

It could be a function of your diet yesterday or today, or the amount of sleep you have been getting. Are you also taking at least 48 hours off between working the same muscle group? If not your muscles may be deteriorating as muscles grow during the rest period.

tmiqueen

Lots of things could affect this:
1) What you're eating. Bodies need fuel to properly function. Make sure you're getting enough.
2) Maybe you're getting sick? That might weaken you a bit.
3) Did you consume any alcohol? I know a lot of people whose workouts were greatly inhibited because of imbibing...even on one glass of wine!
4) Dehydration could be another cause. Make sure you're properly hydrated.

gsager

Maybe you aren't eating enough? When you lose weight you will lose some strength.

cheddarboy

Yep it definately happens, i have the same issue - when you lose weight (assuming you lost some weight), some of it is muscle and you won't have the exact same strength as you did previously.

AZTrailRunner

It could be a function of your diet yesterday or today, or the amount of sleep you have been getting. Are you also taking at least 48 hours off between working the same muscle group? If not your muscles may be deteriorating as muscles grow during the rest period.

^^^ This!

Loss of strength is definitely a symptom of over-training too.

mkupartist

I definitely think it has to do with my diet. I am not getting enough protein (less than half what I should) due to the fact that i'm a vegetarian. It just wasn't ever something I had to address (wasn't hungry) until I started increasing my workouts in number and length. I just ordered a great protein powder that I can supplement my diet with and i'm looking forward to that helping.

The more I think of it, it may be a combination of all of your suggestions. I didn't sleep as well last night and yesterday didn't take in near my usual 9-12 glasses of water a day.

I do definitely give myself at least 48 hrs between working muscle groups, so i'm confident i've got that on my side.

Thanks for your help! It is nice to know that my body is responding to the way i'm treating it and that it's not all in my head or that i'm being lazy. I need to be more careful about how I take care of it!