When should I take a Break???

I never took a break but I guess it might depend on what diet you are doing.
I just stuck to healthy low fat eating & eating within my calorie allowance on the Rosemary Conley Plan. I lost 4 stone (56lbs) in 12 mths through diet & exercise.
As you loose the weight, you will need to adjust your calorie allowance so that you still loose
There will always be occasions where you cannot 'stick' to your plan, birithday's holiday's etc, so just use those occsions to take the break.
good luck

I could see how that could make sense but I'm not going to do it. I'm going to continue to stay in calorie deficit until I reach a plateau and stay there for at least 4 weeks. So far that hasn't happened. The most I've stayed at the same weight was for 2 weeks. I'll be completely honest, If and/or when I reach a plateau and stay there for 4 consecutive weeks after the 4th week of plateauing I'm gonna eat crappy. I'm going to eat way over my calories and there is a possibility I could gain weight that week. I will continue exercising but I figure I'll send my body into shock with the food it's receiving. Then after a week I'll continue to eat normally. I know that may not be the best way to do things but it's something I am going to do. And to be honest just thinking about eating crappy for a week kind of makes me feel nauseated. I know I'll feel the effects of eating like crap. That will be my week break from eating like a normal person... lol

I dont think one should take a break from their nutrition plan (a "cheat meal" or "cheat day" not withstanding). However, I think it's a good idea to take a week long break from exercising every once in a while to allow your muscles time to recouperate. Some say to do this once every 5 weeks. I take a week off after 10 weeks. To each their own.

It depends on the status of one's metabolism at baseline. That is to say whether a person began the diet by eating at true maintenance or during a chronic calorie deficit. The size of the deficit needs to be considered as well. If a person began when one's metabolic state was at maximal values, and they were assuming a moderate deficit - or deficit appropriate for their degree of fat mass - then they could assume said deficit for a longer period of time before need of a break. In terms of numbers, one has to look at the degree of change in RMR, leptin, cortisol, and other hormones from baseline to assessment date. Unfortunately, most people don't have their baseline stats to make a comparison so they have to simply go on progress in the way of continued weight loss and reduced girth measurements. The bottom line is this: the lower your RMR drops, there is increased risk of fat regain in the future. Thus, it is wise to take breaks to ensure one's RMR does not drop too low.