Anyone take a week off from exercise??

HSingMomto7Kids

There are times I get frustrated from no weight lose, but I just measure myself and know a difference is being made in some form. Sometimes I need to remind myself of that. I love working out, and I'm teaching my kids the healthy way too. Yeah there are times I don't work out for a week..etc but I try to not do that on purpose. And all we'll all done and feel great after which is the answer right?

Good Luck, Kelley

kmummy0418

I'm not sure. WHY do you want a week off? Just to see if you can ditch exercise and still lose? Personally, I don't think I'd do that because I know my cardiovascular system needs to be improved, weight loss or not. I know my body is unhealthy and exercise is the only way to fix that.

That's a pretty rude comment. Did you ask her WHY? Or are you just assuming? As she mentioned, she's exercised almost everyday since she started, which is over 75 days ago. She's lost almost 20lbs...seems she's doing pretty good to me! Why don't you repost after you've exercised 70 + days and lost 20lbs?

ji225

It sounds like you have been exercising regularly for a while, so I think it is a good idea to give your body a proper break now and again, I too a week off exercise (cardio) and went on a yoga break - just 2 short and not challenging clases a day for a week and I lost weight and felt much stronger coming back to 'normal' exercise after the break

psych101

Aargh!

Totally my issue at the moment - I'm having four wisdom teeth surgically removed on Wednesday and my surgeon has said I shouldn't exercise for a week! Aargh!

So I've stocked up on Runners World, Fitness and Women's Health magazines so that I can at least learn something new while I'm couch surfing and looking like a chipmunk with giant cheeks!!

Listen to your body, sometimes it needs a break and whether that is one day or six days is up to you!

Good luck!!

lacroyx

I took 10 days off while on vacation and just walked around. It was fine.

^

this. lost 7 lbs. during my vacation time.

keiraev

I had a trainer at one point that wanted me to take every 7th week off from working out, his reason was the body gets accustomed to it and adjusts and adapts, that this break confused the body and allowed for better results. I didn't make it to 7 weeks with him due to other conflicts however the reason sounds good, he had me do the same with eating but on a different scale, I had 2 days of 1400 cals followed by one of 1700, again to confuse the body. This allowed for cheat days to be built in but on a regular basis. Once I stopped working out and monitoring caloric intake I still managed to maintain that loss I had accomplished for a long time.

I have been taking a week off every 6 weeks for the same reasons. It makes sense really and I have found it does boost weight loss.

I have a friend who has just taken 4 weeks off (due to injury and other factors) and they continued to lose.

That's not to say you should give up exercise- you really shouldn't or you will lose muscle, but a break is fine every once in a while.

Yooperm35

I took an unexpected three weeks off because my 2-year old us testing the waters on upping her bedtime. By the time I fit her to bed and straightened up the house, it's 10 pm and I just wanted to go to bed. To my surprise, I lost 4# without exercising! I have switched my workout to mornings now- amazingly, the lack of exercise gave my plateau a kickstart. U am beginning to wonder if I was not eating enough calories to compensate for my exercise?

TavistockToad

I'm not sure. WHY do you want a week off? Just to see if you can ditch exercise and still lose? Personally, I don't think I'd do that because I know my cardiovascular system needs to be improved, weight loss or not. I know my body is unhealthy and exercise is the only way to fix that.

I agree with this. why are u wanting to stop?

if you feel like you are burning out then do it, rest is VERY important, and you should have at least 1 day of rest per week anyway.

catshark209

If you're overtraining, I'd take a few days off. Actually I'm about to embark on my four days of rest....don't want to but I have to.

kalynn06

I take active recovery weeks every 2-3 months or just when I feel run down. I walk and do less intense workouts with a lot of stretching. I think it helps. I almost always lose weight during my active recovery weeks, and I feel better when they are over. Minor aches and pains go away, and I workout harder.

kristinL16

I've only been on MFP for about a month, but here is my experience...The first two weeks I worked out three times per week and lost 1.5 and 2.5. The next two weeks I didn't go to the gym but did go for some walks with the kids. I lost .6 and .8.

Rachiepie6

A guy at work is a full on athlete, with a coach and nutritionist etc, has about 6.5% body fat, is strong and fit, eats about 8-10 meals a day depending on where in the season he is, every 8 weeks he has a week with no exercise and eats the same.

I'm not suggesting you do this, but I know it is a part of some people's routine. Confuses the body and gives the muscles a bit of a break.

amyrobynne

After 3.5 months of about 6 days/wk at the gym including 2-3 with strength training, I went to Disney World for a week, ate a lot, and walked 100,000 steps. By the time I came back, I'd gained 2 lbs (after a couple days, so those were real pounds, not water weight) and lost 3 lbs of muscle. It put me back about a month.

misschloe89

I am also thinking about this.. I normally run 3-5 times per week and although im slim I feel that if i didnt do as much as this my legs would be less muscley & I would have a more slender frame IF i take a week or so off from excercising and just focus on healthy meals and plenty of water..? I wouldnt mind losing some muscle..

Bakkasan

Every 12 weeks I take 1 week off from the gym.

jennytree

I've taken the last 3 or so weeks off, due to being completely run down. I've kept well within my calories and I've lost weight so it can be done but I don't feel as healthy as I could be.

LoraF83

I've taken a week off here and there. Sometimes I do it because I'm too busy. Sometimes I do it because I'm feeling tired and run down and need a break.

As long as I adjust my calories down, I still lose.

laylaness

I've taken about 2 weeks off because I've been sick (first with killer migraines, then killer cold). I was losing about .5 lbs a week before that, but I weighed myself again this morning, and I lost 1.5 lbs. I feel gross because I like working out and getting that sweat in, but I can't even walk upstairs without getting winded right now.

So I guess what I'm saying is, you'll probably continue to lose if you take a break and stay within your macros/calories.

greenmeena

I don't exercise when I'm on my moon cycle; it's not good to stress the body when you're bleeding, particularly any exercises that invert your legs above your waist. Anyway I am clumsy and tired when I bleed, so I usually take about 2 to 3 days off and I feel so much better when I do. I find I'm more prone to injury when I'm PMSing or bleeding, so that's just the way it is- a built in rest period every single month. I don't regret it at all.

BinaryPulsar

I do occasionally take a week off from weights, but I still walk, dance and do yoga because those are already built into my life. Although, I also take a week off from dance during vacations. I guess I take weeks off from all three, just not at the same time. If I'm on break from weights, I am dancing and doing yoga. If I'm on break from dance, I am lifting weights. Walking just happens because it's how I get places.

haydensmommy30

Don't do it!!! I started with just taking a couple of days off. Then it turned into a week. Then 2 weeks. Before I knew it, it was a month later and 13lbs heavier.

TazzytheMotivator

Do what is best for you !
To answer your question, no i never taken a week off from exercise , and i been on this site for 2 years plus, what would be the point??

Duck_Puddle

I've taken weeks (or multiple weeks) off several times due to injuries and most recently after surgery. I have to agree with those asking why you want to do this-what's the goal? Every time I have not been able to exercise, I have either maintained or gained weight (for good reason-I am a miserable b!tch if I eat as little as I need to in order to lose without exercise calories, and I ate like an absolute cow after surgery). Nothing wrong with taking time to rest, it really should be part of your overall plan anyway, but I'm curious what you are hoping to accomplish weight-loss wise with taking a week off.

jayche

Well every 3 weeks I take a week to train with lighter weights (much lighter) and cut my overall volume in half... does that count?

MemphisKitten

I felt like total crap after taking a week off. But if you feel like you need to, then go for it!

cad39too

Not since I joined MFP - I was sick recently and shouldn't have worked out at all but after 2 days I was going crazy and I just had to get back to it.

SWilcox818

I took this week off due to being sick...I miss the gym!! Going today despite how my sinus' feel....my body needs the exercise!

I also did the same thing pretty much...I think I exercised two days last week but had to take the rest of the week off due to illness. I still ended up losing weight but I'd really like to get back on the treadmill, crazy as that sounds...

Doesn't sound crazy at all. I have been sick and am missing the treadmill as well. Starting to feel a bit better today so tomorrow I'm back at it!

FITnFIRM4LIFE

Yes, and doing so week of christmas, Rest-repair-renew;-)
Do what worsk 4 u;-)

dsimmons107

If you are taking off as part of a recovery period then it makes sense. It allows your body to heal and prepare for your next cycle. When I take my recovery week I still walk to get my calorie burn. You may need to do nothing depending on how tough your routine is and how your body is handling it. Listen to your body. You don't want to over train either. If it is just because you want to be lazy the answer is NO keep going.

simpsona5

Counting the calories will still work, however beware once you stop exercising you might start to lose your motivation to get back in to it. Like the others I now find I miss the exercise on the days I don't do it. Good luck which ever way you decide