Ever ok to take a break?
ajc1309
Posts: 255 Member
So far I've lost around 7lbs in 62 days in my recent weight loss journey (56 lbs lost in total). I've been trying to get to 112 and am now 130-131. I'm eating around 1200 and exercising 5 days a week for 30-45 mins. In the last 2 weeks I've dropped 3.5 lbs.
I'm thinking about just taking a week break from the exercise while still sticking to my 1200 cals. Is it ever ok to take a break from your diet and exercise? Will it hinder my weight loss much?
I'm thinking about just taking a week break from the exercise while still sticking to my 1200 cals. Is it ever ok to take a break from your diet and exercise? Will it hinder my weight loss much?
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Replies
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Why do you want to take a break from exercise? Do you dislike your program?
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You could certainly eat at maintenance, but I'm guessing that you want to step away from calorie counting, as well.0
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I think small breaks are ok and good for you....providing you have a clear understanding and reason for wanting or needing them. Are you feeling exhausted or over whelmed by what you are doing, are you constantly staying sore etc? Sometimes its better to just deload and do a little less intense of what you are doing for a week so you are still staying in the game. Taking an extended time off " just because" can turn into much longer. I take off about 5 days every 6 months or so but, i also train very hard and intense 5-6 days a week. People tend to take that off time for a few days and then unpack and stay there.0
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I work out because I like it and want to see results in my body, so I wouldn't take a break from that myself. What is wrong with your current program that causes you to actually want to take time away from it? And what are you doing? If it's a cardio program, give it up and try something new.
I have taken diet breaks where I ate at maintenance, generally for two weeks.
Why are you sticking to 1200, and are you eating any of your exercise calories back? If you don't fuel your workouts, they're going to be harder.0 -
I take regular breaks from both but only for a day or so.So far I've lost around 7lbs in 62 days in my recent weight loss journey (56 lbs lost in total). I've been trying to get to 112 and am now 130-131. I'm eating around 1200 and exercising 5 days a week for 30-45 mins. In the last 2 weeks I've dropped 3.5 lbs.
I'm thinking about just taking a week break from the exercise while still sticking to my 1200 cals. Is it ever ok to take a break from your diet and exercise? Will it hinder my weight loss much?
Here is my disconnect: a sustained "break" usually turns into relapse into old habits which is why most gain all their lost weight back. Again, that is most people
What I have done is switch from time to time to weight maintenance - especially when I hit a wall.
That's not a break but a programmed period of steady weight control.
Another issue is eating enough and not losing too fast. That stifles metabolism and can diminish the quality and lasting effects of your weight loss.
NO CRASH DIETING! Follow the 1 pound per week MFP suggestions.
As for exercise, yes, we all need rest or over-training stifles results. I rest 1 day every week.
Rest is paramount!
Good Luck To You!
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So far I've lost around 7lbs in 62 days in my recent weight loss journey (56 lbs lost in total). I've been trying to get to 112 and am now 130-131. I'm eating around 1200 and exercising 5 days a week for 30-45 mins. In the last 2 weeks I've dropped 3.5 lbs.
I'm thinking about just taking a week break from the exercise while still sticking to my 1200 cals. Is it ever ok to take a break from your diet and exercise? Will it hinder my weight loss much?
Is it possible your body is trying to tell you this is were it feels like it should be? have you developed so much muscle from the exercise that you probably won't be the 112 you want? and what gave you the 112? is it that bmi scale? talk to an actual doctor/nutritionist to find out what your goal REALLY should be.
I have lost big time before over 100 and stop counting, BAM here i am AGAIN. So please don't stop the logging, you have worked very hard.
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I started mid-Feb ... mid-June I hit my first goal of 15 kg lost. That's where I was headed and where I figured I would stop.
Then I went on holiday and took a break from my diet for about a month. But I remained active. In fact, I was more active than usual.
When I returned from holiday, I had gained a little bit, but I was down to 15 kg lost within 2 weeks. Then I resumed the diet because I figured the first 4 months went really well, so why not try for a lighter weight ... one I maintained for years and years.
2 weeks later, I've lost 2 more kg ... 17 kg down.
So the break didn't hurt me.
BUT ... I took it after I hit my goal, and I knew exactly what I needed to do to pick up where I left off.0 -
I take breaks from logging - when I am on holidays.
Just because I am not logging doesn't mean I go stupid though. I try to make reasonably healthy choices and eat reasonable sized portions.
If I gain a kg or 2, I dont worry about it, I just get back to normal when I get home and back into it as usual0 -
I don't want to stop logging and I'm sticking to 1200 because that's what MFP said I should be eating for a 1 lb a week loss.
I'm just doing cardio (on a stationary bike). I only eat back 20-100 of my exercise calories back.0 -
I don't want to stop logging and I'm sticking to 1200 because that's what MFP said I should be eating for a 1 lb a week loss.
I'm just doing cardio (on a stationary bike). I only eat back 20-100 of my exercise calories back.
What do you want the break from then?
And how much stationary bike riding are you doing?
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It's perfectly fine to take a break. I'm assuming you aren't training for a professional sport or the like. It's good to be dedicated but one week off is not going to ruin you.0
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Whatever works best for you that allows you to maintain the healthiest lifestyle you can for a sustainable amount of time is going to be the best option. I can only speak for myself, but if I actually hit a week without hitting my workouts, I will most definitely fall off the entire bandwagon! To the point that even when I go on vacations, I have to hit the hotel gym to keep the momentum going. I remember when I was in Vegas, we were out until about 4 am and I was up at 8 am, running on the treadmill. But it really is up to you.0
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I don't want to stop logging and I'm sticking to 1200 because that's what MFP said I should be eating for a 1 lb a week loss.
I'm just doing cardio (on a stationary bike). I only eat back 20-100 of my exercise calories back.
What do you want the break from then?
And how much stationary bike riding are you doing?
I imagine it's incredibly boring. I'd want a break too.
OP, if 150-225 minutes of bike riding a week is boring you enough that you need a week off, why not switch it up? Try videos, look on CL for a different piece of equipment, take up running or hiking.
And I would be eating at least 50% of my calories back.0 -
Please read this:
community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/746654/diet-breaks-and-loosening-the-reigns/p1
I take a break every 2 months or so to eat at maintenance, never above. At the same time, I take a week off from the gym while still staying active every day by walking or leisurely bike riding. After that it's right back to a small deficit and the gym 4 days a week. I'm very close to maintenance.0 -
Or you could try classes? Dance, zumba, kickboxing. That would give you the cardio your getting from your biking but in a different capacity.0
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barbecuesauce wrote: »I don't want to stop logging and I'm sticking to 1200 because that's what MFP said I should be eating for a 1 lb a week loss.
I'm just doing cardio (on a stationary bike). I only eat back 20-100 of my exercise calories back.
What do you want the break from then?
And how much stationary bike riding are you doing?
I imagine it's incredibly boring. I'd want a break too.
OP, if 150-225 minutes of bike riding a week is boring you enough that you need a week off, why not switch it up? Try videos, look on CL for a different piece of equipment, take up running or hiking.
And I would be eating at least 50% of my calories back.
True!
I love cycling, but have a bit of a tough time motivating myself to ride my bicycle on a trainer ... let alone a stationary bike.
@ajc1309 ... if you've got anything like decent weather, get a real bicycle and explore your neighourhood. Or jog, or walk, or go hiking in the woods, or rent a kayak, or swim ...
If you're stuck indoors at the gym ... take a spinning class, run/walk on the treadmill, use some of the other equipment ...
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I take small breaks and eat at maintenance occasionally. whether its a weekend where I'm with friends and know I will be eating (or most likely, drinking) more than usual, or vacation, or a holiday or whatever.0
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I would never want to take a break from my exercise routine, it is too vital to my mental and physical well being. I would fall out of it and be hard pressed to return. But if you need to take a break, there is no rule against it.0
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Add in variety
I get bored and switch things up
I take 2 days off and I'm ready to do something
Can't relate to taking a week off.
You may be doing too much and your body is telling you so.0 -
5 days a week for 30-45 mins is not a lot of exercise. Probably not too much.
But 5 days a week for 30-45 mins on a stationary bike would be too much. I'd be banging my head against a brick wall in boredom if I did that!!
I can manage 3 days a week on my trainer while doing commercial intervals and watching an interesting show (the TDF was great for that!), but I've got to do something else the rest of the days ... and preferably outside.0 -
I actually find the videos and stuff like that more boring than the bike. I lose interest in them. It's not that I'm bored, I usually watch a tv show while doing it so it's not boredom, I'm just tired. I did push myself to do it today even though I just wanted to go to sleep and rest.
I don't have any access to classes or a gym.0 -
I take a break when I go on vacation, but I enjoy my workout time - even then I keep active despite missing the workouts. I add a good deal of variety to my training to keep it interesting.
Are you able to branch off the stationary bike to other things? Is there anything you've always wanted to do and could incorporate a new exercise regimen for it?
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If you need to take a break, than by all means, take a break. I'd just make sure to set some ground rules so it doesn't become a free for all ( it happens!!).
And as others have said.... switch things up if you are finding your exercise plan is a little too much. Do something you enjoy so you won't get bored by it. For example.... If you feel you need to drag yourself out the door, throw yourself in the car, push yourself through the gym doors and plant yourself on a machine and make yourself stay there until you're finished..... than I would say, (and I'm only guessing), it's not the right plan for you
hehe.
But if all it is, is a little recouping, than go for it. You are the keeper of your destiny!!!
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I actually find the videos and stuff like that more boring than the bike. I lose interest in them. It's not that I'm bored, I usually watch a tv show while doing it so it's not boredom, I'm just tired. I did push myself to do it today even though I just wanted to go to sleep and rest.
I don't have any access to classes or a gym.
Sometimes you might just need to sleep instead.
But consider going for a nice brisk walk. Maybe go for a 30 min walk at lunch when the sun's out and it's warm and lovely.
You don't need classes or a gym for that ... all you need is a pair of shoes that isn't going to hurt your feet.
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Sometimes you might just need to sleep instead.
But consider going for a nice brisk walk. Maybe go for a 30 min walk at lunch when the sun's out and it's warm and lovely.
You don't need classes or a gym for that ... all you need is a pair of shoes that isn't going to hurt your feet.
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Completely agree ^^ 100%0 -
I actually find the videos and stuff like that more boring than the bike. I lose interest in them. It's not that I'm bored, I usually watch a tv show while doing it so it's not boredom, I'm just tired. I did push myself to do it today even though I just wanted to go to sleep and rest.
I don't have any access to classes or a gym.
I experienced the same thing when I was eating too little. Eat at least half of your exercise calories. Is your activity level set correctly? If you've put down sedentary when you're actually moderately active, that would affect your energy levels.
I think what you need is not an exercise break, but a diet break.0 -
I cut for about 3 months and lost 13 pounds. After that I could feel myself getting burned out - even having a gym. I took one month to eat at maintenance before starting my current cut. Even at maintenance I tried to log everything because I knew if I didn't I would slip back into my old eating habits and everything would be lost. At the gym things were better because I could lift more and had more energy. I think it is good to take breaks every few months until you lose what you want. I think it's better to take your time and do it right than regress.
It's nice to step back and see what you want to do when you are ready to cut again and what can be improved. But it can burn you out when you are in the process.0 -
I take mandatory breaks from exercise often, and these breaks can last for extended periods. This has not affected my weight loss. If you feel you need to take a break then do so. As long as you don't mess up your diet you should be able to resume your fitness plans later.0
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I've seen others take a week off from exercise at least once a year. I don't see anything wrong with it.0
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Yes its a okay to take a break.. why would it not be after all it's only a week.. and it may make your weight loss slightly slower because your not burning them additional 150-300 or whatever the cals may be you burn when you do exercise. you might end up losing a half a pound less or so..So far I've lost around 7lbs in 62 days in my recent weight loss journey (56 lbs lost in total). I've been trying to get to 112 and am now 130-131. I'm eating around 1200 and exercising 5 days a week for 30-45 mins. In the last 2 weeks I've dropped 3.5 lbs.
I'm thinking about just taking a week break from the exercise while still sticking to my 1200 cals. Is it ever ok to take a break from your diet and exercise? Will it hinder my weight loss much?
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