One week break...

jazzguy4him
jazzguy4him Posts: 83 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
All-

I've decided I'm taking a one week break from calorie deficit and exercise. I've been in a deficit for about 15 months and exercised (lifting/running/HIIT, etc) throughout that period. I've lost 136lbs and feel great. I'd like to lose about 15 more but am more focused on body composition than the number on the scale.

I'm looking forward to eating at maintenance and have even picked out some foods that I haven't had in a long time (hello Chocolate Panda Paws Ice cream...). And... I've already got my next lifting program ready to start after the week off. I'll also be cutting 20% according to my TDEE at that point.

Just curious if anyone else has done something similar? I expect to retain water.... I'm wondering how I will feel with eating less "clean" than usual. Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks all.

Replies

  • jazzguy4him
    jazzguy4him Posts: 83 Member
    bump
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    While I haven't taken a full week off, over the holidays I gave myself a four day vacation. It felt wonderful and I actually lost weight during that time.
  • jazzguy4him
    jazzguy4him Posts: 83 Member
    Yeah- I've gone over calories and stuff through the 15 months. But on like Thanksgiving a ran a 10K so I could eat what I wanted to. It's time to give my body a break I think.
  • ladyraven68
    ladyraven68 Posts: 2,003 Member
    Take 2 :)

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html
  • jazzguy4him
    jazzguy4him Posts: 83 Member
    Wow. Terrific article!! I might actually take 2... anyone tried this?
  • links_slayer
    links_slayer Posts: 1,151 Member
    I'm doing it starting today whether it's good, bad, right, wrong, or otherwise.
  • jazzguy4him
    jazzguy4him Posts: 83 Member
    Just because or...?
  • HeidiHoMom
    HeidiHoMom Posts: 1,393 Member
    I do one week breaks often.

    Right now I am on a semi break. I am not accurately tracking my calories. I count most things but I would say the few things that I don't write doen probably put me at maintenance. I am also not losing weight either...and I am okay with that until I can get my head back in the game. I think I need this slight mental break.

    BUT at the start of March I am going full speed ahead again with swim suit season coming up soon.

    I have not been focusing on my macros lately and starting in march I will be watching them closely again and making sure to get my 120-150 grams of protein each day.
  • links_slayer
    links_slayer Posts: 1,151 Member
    Just because or...?

    Part just because and part because I'm heading Vegas for a few days. :)
  • justicekenny
    justicekenny Posts: 80
    good stuff ... as others mentioned take 2 weeks .. I always take 2 every 8 weeks .. 1 week of those two I do not workout at all .. Let that body rest. Now .. the most important part is, that's not two weeks of eating what I want, etc .. I eat at maintenance cals. You will feel great, and refreshed. .. even more eager and motivated .. good luck
  • jazzguy4him
    jazzguy4him Posts: 83 Member
    Cool. It's actually harder to figure out maintenance cals than I thought it would be. I did the fat2fitradio BMR calc and also tried the current weight x 15 as the above article suggests. I think I'll just take a happy medium. Of course MFP gives a total different #. Oh well...
  • da1128
    da1128 Posts: 212 Member
    Just did it last week. Still ate within my calorie 'program,' but I eat fairly light anyway. (I 'did' enjoy some delicious pizza though and I just might enjoy some more this weekend.)

    I didn't work out at all and maintained my weight of 124. Felt great to rest my body!
  • jazzguy4him
    jazzguy4him Posts: 83 Member
    Anyone have a reliable method of calculating maintenance cals? Besides Fat 2 Fit?
  • justicekenny
    justicekenny Posts: 80
    Anyone have a reliable method of calculating maintenance cals? Besides Fat 2 Fit?

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I take take a break eat to maintenance for a week or two every 6-8 weeks or so. It's good...helps spike the metabolism.
  • HeidiHoMom
    HeidiHoMom Posts: 1,393 Member
    I use scooby's workshop as well.
  • hiyomi
    hiyomi Posts: 906 Member
    Go for it! You've lost over 130 pounds! Just do it for ONLY one week like you say you are and don't destroy all your effort in that week! And only do it if you know it will ONLY be ONE week. If you know you won't be able to stop then don't even start.
  • Gramps251
    Gramps251 Posts: 738 Member
    I took from Thanksgiving to New Year off. I didn't go crazy eating but I had a bit if anything I wanted and didn't workout during that time. I gained 4 lbs and have lost those and one more since returning to my routine. You have to enjoy life.

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