Diet Break
Crowhorse
Posts: 394 Member
So, when I was away for a couple weeks, I basically had no workouts (I really have to work my way up again, especially on squats, which I was already starting to work up again due to the hip impingement issue).
I also was being fed really well by my family (read that as treating me to breakfast, lunch, and dinner out constantly). I did try to be reasonable while eating out, and lets face it, it's almost impossible to know how many calories your eating when you are eating out since you aren't in control the cooking process.
When I returned home, I was afraid to hop on the scale and see the damage. I refused to do so for a few days. I finally did because I like to track my dailies and see the trend. Sure enough I was up a pound or two, but it was probably some water weight and some unwanted weight.
But, I've been home about a week now, and I am finally moving below my plateau. Not by much at this point, but it is moving again. Today I was at 137.8. May not seem like much, but it is moving in the right direction so far. I still have another 8-12lbs to go.
I'm thinking that the two week diet break did my body some good.
I also was being fed really well by my family (read that as treating me to breakfast, lunch, and dinner out constantly). I did try to be reasonable while eating out, and lets face it, it's almost impossible to know how many calories your eating when you are eating out since you aren't in control the cooking process.
When I returned home, I was afraid to hop on the scale and see the damage. I refused to do so for a few days. I finally did because I like to track my dailies and see the trend. Sure enough I was up a pound or two, but it was probably some water weight and some unwanted weight.
But, I've been home about a week now, and I am finally moving below my plateau. Not by much at this point, but it is moving again. Today I was at 137.8. May not seem like much, but it is moving in the right direction so far. I still have another 8-12lbs to go.
I'm thinking that the two week diet break did my body some good.
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Replies
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Even better good when closer to goal weight. Go back in to reasonable deficit and keep it up.
I'm surprised the lifting would take a hit after only 2 weeks - many will report coming back stronger and making gains after such a rest.0 -
It was just recommended. My squats already were down because of the impingement and Dr's orders to start from nothing and work up again. The other lifts went back 20%. Almost back up to where I was.0
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The 'jury is out' re how much it helps metabolism directly as they are usually too short in duration to do much in that regard, but there are a couple of schools of thought on that. However, diet breaks (and appropriate training breaks) can be beneficial - it can help re-regulate hormones and release water weight as the body is under less stress. They can be very beneficial from a psychological perspective though - taking a mental break from dieting, plus the release of water weight re scale, can renew the motivation to keep dieting as well as getting your hormones back out of whack (they can get a bit screwy while dieting).
Re lifting, I find that after a 1 - 2 week break, it can take as much time to get back up to strength, but after that, often workouts are improved as you are better rested.0 -
The 'jury is out' re how much it helps metabolism directly as they are usually too short in duration to do much in that regard, but there are a couple of schools of thought on that. However, diet breaks (and appropriate training breaks) can be beneficial - it can help re-regulate hormones and release water weight as the body is under less stress. They can be very beneficial from a psychological perspective though - taking a mental break from dieting, plus the release of water weight re scale, can renew the motivation to keep dieting as well as getting your hormones back out of whack (they can get a bit screwy while dieting).
Re lifting, I find that after a 1 - 2 week break, it can take as much time to get back up to strength, but after that, often workouts are improved as you are better rested.
I was suspecting it might be hormonal since I'd been in a deficit for quite a while.
Here's to hoping my lifts move forward!
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Closing this thread so we can track active ones easier. Please PM either myself or SideSteel, including the link to the thread, if you want to pose further questions.0
This discussion has been closed.