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Taking a break from the gym

blondeski
blondeski Posts: 27
edited January 5 in Fitness and Exercise
I took a week's break from the gym: worst week in a while.

Stress was insane, I couldn't sleep, my mood was all over the place.

Today I start up again to finish the 3rd phase of Jamie Eason's LiveFit program.


Does anyone else notice that when they skip going to the gym a few times they become less happy or irritable?

Replies

  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    I routinely take a week off. Like once every 2 or 3 months. I think my body needs a vacation once in a while. I notice that my strength increases massively after a week off too. I enjoy it. I kind of wish working out was not something I needed to do. Like, a very physical job, or something.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I definitely get a little irritable and twitchy if I go more than 3-4 days without getting in a workout. I'm already trying to figure out how to still get 4 days a week in during Christmas and New Years. I usually do M-T-W-F, but there is 3 weeks running when I cannot go on at least one of my regular days :(

    For me, I cannot take a week off, or I will totally lose my mojo. About 5 years ago I was doing really good at going to the gym and getting my stuff done....then my toddler broke his leg badly and was in a body cast for 5 weeks. I could not put him in the gym daycare during that time--I basically only got away from him to go grocery shopping-- and I lost my mojo. I went like a handful more times that year, then we cancelled our membership.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    if I miss a day I feel like a slug...so I can't go a week without doing anything...if you cant get to the gym ..go for a short run ..or do some pushups...ANYTHING is better than NOTHING ....
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    The only thing that bugs me about not going to the gym, is the fact that I'm paying for something I'm not using.

    I can easily go outside and run, but I mainly use the gym for strength... and with how currently crowded it is, I don't even do that anymore.
  • blondeski
    blondeski Posts: 27
    I went today and I noticed that my legs are not as strong as they were! I actually had to stop my workout because I couldn't really walk anymore and definitely couldn't jump rope lol.

    For the holidays, if anyone wants some tips, here's a great article:

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/5-tips-survive-the-holiday-season.html

    Here's a page of full-body workouts that can replace some of the days you'd usually be in the gym:

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/workout.php?days=<=+7&amp;goal=&amp;type=Full+Body&amp;exercisenumber=&amp;sets=&amp;order=days&amp;checked=YES

    :flowerforyou:
  • Angie__1MR
    Angie__1MR Posts: 388 Member
    I just took a week off because I felt overtrained...back at it this week with more motivation and intensity! Listen to your body.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    If you don't *need* a break every few months, you probably aren't training hard enough.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    Yeah, I notice the same thing if I take two days off of working out in a row. By the third day I'm just antsy but lethargic and feeling gross in general. It's weird how our bodies crave movement eventually when we normally work out regularly. Then when I work out again, I feel like I lost endurance and/or strength over those missed days.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    Yes, I almost get withdrawals if I miss my scheduled days, but have had to have a flexible outlook recently due to variable shifts at work...
  • firelle
    firelle Posts: 118 Member
    Yeah, I notice the same thing if I take two days off of working out in a row. By the third day I'm just antsy but lethargic and feeling gross in general. It's weird how our bodies crave movement eventually when we normally work out regularly. Then when I work out again, I feel like I lost endurance and/or strength over those missed days.

    This to a T! I took off 3 days last week (and wrapped that all up with an all-nighter - smart, right??) And I felt the ultimate in BLARGH!
  • firefoxxie
    firefoxxie Posts: 381 Member
    I feel super lazy when I take a break for a day or so from any exercise. :P
  • caseythirteen
    caseythirteen Posts: 956 Member
    I definitely feel a difference if I take more than a day or two off. I'm grouchy and just feel less like me. The nice thing is that it feels so good to get back to it!
This discussion has been closed.

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