Of refeeds and diet breaks
Replies
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Day one of strong curves finally done. Way too easy, like I don't even feel like I've worked out, so I need to put some thought into that.2
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Maybe you just need to start with more resistance than prescribed?
My first proper refeed weekend has been most enjoyable. Literally haven't had brutal bodyweight intervals feel that awesome in ages. Yay carbs.0 -
Ha, did that, and max reps (over on some things). Only thing I was 'ow!' on was side lying abductions, though felt the box squats. I really should have gone higher on push ups. Glute bridges were way too easy, even with 5kg of weight, so I guess I'm sticking more plates on a dumbbell. Inverted rows made tricky by needing to do them in the hallway (sheet over door) so the door didn't fly open, and hall is narrow. Basically I need to sub those with something else, though it did just occur to me that using the front door would give me more space, but either resistance bands with a door thingy or a suspension system would far surpass the sheet method.
Jelly of your brutal bodyweight intervals, and yay for feeling awesome!!1 -
Weighted glute bridges always feel easy to me too. Until the next day. Saying that, you could probably most definitely go higher than 5kg. IIRC, I started them with a 25 lb dumbbell, but I had been doing them with resistance bands prior to that.1
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GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »Weighted glute bridges always feel easy to me too. Until the next day. Saying that, you could probably most definitely go higher than 5kg. IIRC, I started them with a 25 lb dumbbell, but I had been doing them with resistance bands prior to that.
May I ask a dumb question? How do you do weighted glute bridges with a dumbbell?0 -
Is it possible to switch out bridges for thrusts or is that messing with the program? Because I feel those 500x more than bridges. My issue with things like that is I can can probably use a much heavier weight but trying to haul those dumbbells onto and off my hips is a PITA past a certain weight.0
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GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »Weighted glute bridges always feel easy to me too. Until the next day. Saying that, you could probably most definitely go higher than 5kg. IIRC, I started them with a 25 lb dumbbell, but I had been doing them with resistance bands prior to that.
Oh yeah, I should use my resistance band too. Duh. I've been doing feet elevated hip thrusts with a 4kg dumbbell for a week or so prior, so should have known it wouldn't be enough. I'm on a fitness equipment mission today, cos I need a chin up bar and swiss ball for tomorrow, I was eyeing up a full resistance band set with all the bells and whistles, but it's kinda spency. I also know from experience not to cheap out on those though. I would question whether my accountant would let me call it a business expense, but I already know the answer is 'no'
. 2 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »Weighted glute bridges always feel easy to me too. Until the next day. Saying that, you could probably most definitely go higher than 5kg. IIRC, I started them with a 25 lb dumbbell, but I had been doing them with resistance bands prior to that.
May I ask a dumb question? How do you do weighted glute bridges with a dumbbell?
The same way you'd do a barbell one. You put it across your pelvis and just sort of stabilize it there without really letting your hands bear the weight.
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GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »Weighted glute bridges always feel easy to me too. Until the next day. Saying that, you could probably most definitely go higher than 5kg. IIRC, I started them with a 25 lb dumbbell, but I had been doing them with resistance bands prior to that.
May I ask a dumb question? How do you do weighted glute bridges with a dumbbell?
Hold dumbbell on hips/lower abdomen, pretty much.VintageFeline wrote: »Is it possible to switch out bridges for thrusts or is that messing with the program? Because I feel those 500x more than bridges. My issue with things like that is I can can probably use a much heavier weight but trying to haul those dumbbells onto and off my hips is a PITA past a certain weight.
I seem to recall reading in the book that you should do both, because they work slightly different things. I think...1 -
Even funnier, I used my medicine ball for sets 2 and 3. Should have not been so lazy and just put bigger plates on the damn dumbbell.1
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VintageFeline wrote: »Is it possible to switch out bridges for thrusts or is that messing with the program? Because I feel those 500x more than bridges. My issue with things like that is I can can probably use a much heavier weight but trying to haul those dumbbells onto and off my hips is a PITA past a certain weight.
Now I prefer bridges to thrusts because bridges don't engage the quads as much. My quads get enough work out from running, yanno? I'm also short and a good height set up for me to do hip thrusts is problematic. When I tried them at the gym when I used to go, I did them on stacked aerobic steps. A weight bench or even a couch is too high.0 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »Is it possible to switch out bridges for thrusts or is that messing with the program? Because I feel those 500x more than bridges. My issue with things like that is I can can probably use a much heavier weight but trying to haul those dumbbells onto and off my hips is a PITA past a certain weight.
Now I prefer bridges to thrusts because bridges don't engage the quads as much. My quads get enough work out from running, yanno? I'm also short and a good height set up for me to do hip thrusts is problematic. When I tried them at the gym when I used to go, I did them on stacked aerobic steps. A weight bench or even a couch is too high.
My knees just get really squeamish about bridges, I have to wriggle about a bit to get it feeling alright and then poof, I'm done. Although I don't actually often switch them. But when I do thrusts I actually am sore the next day and really feel it during in a way I don't on bridges. Maybe I'll see about adding a loop along with the dumbbell to more easily up the resistance next time.2 -
Oh and back on actual topic, Refeed Round 4 in the bag. Yesterday was lower on carbs and cals for reasons, but still a goodly amount and at maintenance.5
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VintageFeline wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »Is it possible to switch out bridges for thrusts or is that messing with the program? Because I feel those 500x more than bridges. My issue with things like that is I can can probably use a much heavier weight but trying to haul those dumbbells onto and off my hips is a PITA past a certain weight.
Now I prefer bridges to thrusts because bridges don't engage the quads as much. My quads get enough work out from running, yanno? I'm also short and a good height set up for me to do hip thrusts is problematic. When I tried them at the gym when I used to go, I did them on stacked aerobic steps. A weight bench or even a couch is too high.
My knees just get really squeamish about bridges, I have to wriggle about a bit to get it feeling alright and then poof, I'm done. Although I don't actually often switch them. But when I do thrusts I actually am sore the next day and really feel it during in a way I don't on bridges. Maybe I'll see about adding a loop along with the dumbbell to more easily up the resistance next time.
For me, I've found that activating your glutes during bridges is about doing a pelvic tilt so you flatten your spine before you tilt.
Oh... just searched... Bret Contreras recommends doing just this for full glute activation.1 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »Is it possible to switch out bridges for thrusts or is that messing with the program? Because I feel those 500x more than bridges. My issue with things like that is I can can probably use a much heavier weight but trying to haul those dumbbells onto and off my hips is a PITA past a certain weight.
Now I prefer bridges to thrusts because bridges don't engage the quads as much. My quads get enough work out from running, yanno? I'm also short and a good height set up for me to do hip thrusts is problematic. When I tried them at the gym when I used to go, I did them on stacked aerobic steps. A weight bench or even a couch is too high.
My knees just get really squeamish about bridges, I have to wriggle about a bit to get it feeling alright and then poof, I'm done. Although I don't actually often switch them. But when I do thrusts I actually am sore the next day and really feel it during in a way I don't on bridges. Maybe I'll see about adding a loop along with the dumbbell to more easily up the resistance next time.
For me, I've found that activating your glutes during bridges is about doing a pelvic tilt so you flatten your spine before you tilt.
Oh... just searched... Bret Contreras recommends doing just this for full glute activation.
I think it's just a ROM thing for me. I can activate my glutes fine it's the not using a heavy enough weight or knee dependant how far I push my hips up. I'm trying some frog pumps as a switch at the moment too for funsies.1 -
Nony_Mouse wrote: »@Luna3386 check out the Fat Loss for Women podcast that was posted a couple of pages back. Also the Abbey Orr ones which you can find on bodyrecomposition.com (just search 'abbey orr' and they'll come up), the second one in particular talks more about the average dieter, but the ones on women's fat loss in general, while often aimed more at competitors, have a ton of very useful info.
Listened to the first one. Very good. Not sure how to apply, as I try to keep things as simple as possible. I'm not sure if I want to change things around depending on the week. But it helps me understand myself: why I struggle with my blood sugar at certain times, or why I can be extra clumsy.
I had already switched over to tracking progress monthly, because daily fluctuations on the scale were driving me nuts! And that also never helped with adherence.
But it does show me I'm on right path. I left fad and crash diets in the past a few years ago and I will never, ever go back. Focusing on lifting and protein and patience.
My first refeed has been a huge success: just from a psychological and energy perspective. Normally my energy levels are in the toilet but I've been far more entergetic this weekend. I was down in weight a little after 1 day but even if I was up by a few it would still be worth it. Looking forward to lifting even more than I usually do tomorrow. I think the hardest part will be going back into my deficit... But I hope the carbs keep my energy up for a few more days.4 -
Oh, I also meant to say that I love this thread. Reading some of the awful advice on the forums has always been hard but it's especially harder now!7
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GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »Weighted glute bridges always feel easy to me too. Until the next day. Saying that, you could probably most definitely go higher than 5kg. IIRC, I started them with a 25 lb dumbbell, but I had been doing them with resistance bands prior to that.
May I ask a dumb question? How do you do weighted glute bridges with a dumbbell?
The same way you'd do a barbell one. You put it across your pelvis and just sort of stabilize it there without really letting your hands bear the weight.
Thank you. I had never thought to do it that way, but I actually just started doing them.1 -
Nony_Mouse wrote: »@Luna3386 check out the Fat Loss for Women podcast that was posted a couple of pages back. Also the Abbey Orr ones which you can find on bodyrecomposition.com (just search 'abbey orr' and they'll come up), the second one in particular talks more about the average dieter, but the ones on women's fat loss in general, while often aimed more at competitors, have a ton of very useful info.
Listened to the first one. Very good. Not sure how to apply, as I try to keep things as simple as possible. I'm not sure if I want to change things around depending on the week. But it helps me understand myself: why I struggle with my blood sugar at certain times, or why I can be extra clumsy.
I had already switched over to tracking progress monthly, because daily fluctuations on the scale were driving me nuts! And that also never helped with adherence.
But it does show me I'm on right path. I left fad and crash diets in the past a few years ago and I will never, ever go back. Focusing on lifting and protein and patience.
My first refeed has been a huge success: just from a psychological and energy perspective. Normally my energy levels are in the toilet but I've been far more entergetic this weekend. I was down in weight a little after 1 day but even if I was up by a few it would still be worth it. Looking forward to lifting even more than I usually do tomorrow. I think the hardest part will be going back into my deficit... But I hope the carbs keep my energy up for a few more days.
Yeah, I'm not worrying too much about altering macros according to phase atm, maybe once I have my hot little hands on the book I'll play around. I did do the snacking on pieces of apple during pms the other week to level blood sugar. And that clumsiness thing was like 'ohhhhh!'. Yeah, that's me.2 -
VintageFeline wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »Is it possible to switch out bridges for thrusts or is that messing with the program? Because I feel those 500x more than bridges. My issue with things like that is I can can probably use a much heavier weight but trying to haul those dumbbells onto and off my hips is a PITA past a certain weight.
Now I prefer bridges to thrusts because bridges don't engage the quads as much. My quads get enough work out from running, yanno? I'm also short and a good height set up for me to do hip thrusts is problematic. When I tried them at the gym when I used to go, I did them on stacked aerobic steps. A weight bench or even a couch is too high.
My knees just get really squeamish about bridges, I have to wriggle about a bit to get it feeling alright and then poof, I'm done. Although I don't actually often switch them. But when I do thrusts I actually am sore the next day and really feel it during in a way I don't on bridges. Maybe I'll see about adding a loop along with the dumbbell to more easily up the resistance next time.
For me, I've found that activating your glutes during bridges is about doing a pelvic tilt so you flatten your spine before you tilt.
Oh... just searched... Bret Contreras recommends doing just this for full glute activation.
I think it's just a ROM thing for me. I can activate my glutes fine it's the not using a heavy enough weight or knee dependant how far I push my hips up. I'm trying some frog pumps as a switch at the moment too for funsies.
You should be brilliant at those! For those I find that turnout influences glute activation.0 -
Nony_Mouse wrote: »Day one of strong curves finally done. Way too easy, like I don't even feel like I've worked out, so I need to put some thought into that.
This happens to me when I first start a new program.. then.. once you progress and increase the weight.. it gets hard fast. But remember if you are doing the program as prescribed, you are working the glutes 4x per week.. so you want to leave some room in the tank or you can burn out. If you still feel it's too easy after a week, then I would add more weight/resistance/reps/less rest to challenge yourself.4 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »Is it possible to switch out bridges for thrusts or is that messing with the program? Because I feel those 500x more than bridges. My issue with things like that is I can can probably use a much heavier weight but trying to haul those dumbbells onto and off my hips is a PITA past a certain weight.
Now I prefer bridges to thrusts because bridges don't engage the quads as much. My quads get enough work out from running, yanno? I'm also short and a good height set up for me to do hip thrusts is problematic. When I tried them at the gym when I used to go, I did them on stacked aerobic steps. A weight bench or even a couch is too high.
My knees just get really squeamish about bridges, I have to wriggle about a bit to get it feeling alright and then poof, I'm done. Although I don't actually often switch them. But when I do thrusts I actually am sore the next day and really feel it during in a way I don't on bridges. Maybe I'll see about adding a loop along with the dumbbell to more easily up the resistance next time.
For me, I've found that activating your glutes during bridges is about doing a pelvic tilt so you flatten your spine before you tilt.
Oh... just searched... Bret Contreras recommends doing just this for full glute activation.
I think it's just a ROM thing for me. I can activate my glutes fine it's the not using a heavy enough weight or knee dependant how far I push my hips up. I'm trying some frog pumps as a switch at the moment too for funsies.
You should be brilliant at those! For those I find that turnout influences glute activation.
It is a much more comfortable and natural movement for me and my bendy legs that love working in centre split (I also really love sumo squats). I like the challenge of trying to maintain knees as far down as possible through the whole thing. Plus the silliness adds to it.1 -
Nony_Mouse wrote: »Day one of strong curves finally done. Way too easy, like I don't even feel like I've worked out, so I need to put some thought into that.
This happens to me when I first start a new program.. then.. once you progress and increase the weight.. it gets hard fast. But remember if you are doing the program as prescribed, you are working the glutes 4x per week.. so you want to leave some room in the tank or you can burn out. If you still feel it's too easy after a week, then I would add more weight/resistance/reps/less rest to challenge yourself.
Thanks I did deliberately go easier today to an extent, to get a feel for things. Tomorrow is set as knee push ups, which I did today instead of inverted torso, so I guess I'd better do full ones tomorrow! That at least will be a challenge for sure.
Oh, and I was only doing 30 second rest breaks as it was, so defs more resistance/reps.
I should really drag my printer out and print the templates too so I can fill them in properly instead of writing on a scrap of paper!2 -
Nony_Mouse wrote: »Nony_Mouse wrote: »Day one of strong curves finally done. Way too easy, like I don't even feel like I've worked out, so I need to put some thought into that.
This happens to me when I first start a new program.. then.. once you progress and increase the weight.. it gets hard fast. But remember if you are doing the program as prescribed, you are working the glutes 4x per week.. so you want to leave some room in the tank or you can burn out. If you still feel it's too easy after a week, then I would add more weight/resistance/reps/less rest to challenge yourself.
Thanks I did deliberately go easier today to an extent, to get a feel for things. Tomorrow is set as knee push ups, which I did today instead of inverted torso, so I guess I'd better do full ones tomorrow! That at least will be a challenge for sure.
Oh, and I was only doing 30 second rest breaks as it was, so defs more resistance/reps.
I should really drag my printer out and print the templates too so I can fill them in properly instead of writing on a scrap of paper!
I do the same at the start of new programs too - the first day I always finish feeling like I didn't work hard enough! I think being creative with your exercises will help
(we started getting second "phase" of our program, with weights/sets/reps outlined based on testing from last week...everything has gone up just a touch, but now I'm slightly afraid of the heavier days!)2 -
I'm doing a lot of reading (and re-reading) of this thread, plus side reading of Lyle McDonald's articles on his website.
The concept of the diet break is intriguing, but how do you know you're ready for one? Do I need to wait until weight loss slows and comes to a standstill? Are cravings part of the signal that it's time? Do I schedule a break before I start to break down, or is it supposed to be a pre-emptive strike?
Basically, do you have to earn a break? I don't want to think of a two-week break as a "cheat meal" writ large. I'm around halfway to where I think I want to end up. I'm still losing weight at a good clip, at least when keep my max calories current and not eat all of my exercise calories back. I'm not bored with my food, I try to be flexible and try different things. I do have cravings; okay, yearnings. I'm starting to keep notes in my diary about daily weight, just to practice finding correlation between yesterday's food and today's scale number. (Hope I'm not obsessing; trying to look at it as data collection.) If I can't sense what my hormones are doing, how do I know when it's time?
Criminey -- I'm looking at this as a question of if I've suffered enough yet to schedule a break in my diet. How masochistic is that?
tl;dr: SW 334, CW 253; working with MFP just over 8 months. Thinking of scheduling a break around Christmas. Is this wise?3 -
VintageFeline wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »VintageFeline wrote: »Is it possible to switch out bridges for thrusts or is that messing with the program? Because I feel those 500x more than bridges. My issue with things like that is I can can probably use a much heavier weight but trying to haul those dumbbells onto and off my hips is a PITA past a certain weight.
Now I prefer bridges to thrusts because bridges don't engage the quads as much. My quads get enough work out from running, yanno? I'm also short and a good height set up for me to do hip thrusts is problematic. When I tried them at the gym when I used to go, I did them on stacked aerobic steps. A weight bench or even a couch is too high.
My knees just get really squeamish about bridges, I have to wriggle about a bit to get it feeling alright and then poof, I'm done. Although I don't actually often switch them. But when I do thrusts I actually am sore the next day and really feel it during in a way I don't on bridges. Maybe I'll see about adding a loop along with the dumbbell to more easily up the resistance next time.
For me, I've found that activating your glutes during bridges is about doing a pelvic tilt so you flatten your spine before you tilt.
Oh... just searched... Bret Contreras recommends doing just this for full glute activation.
I think it's just a ROM thing for me. I can activate my glutes fine it's the not using a heavy enough weight or knee dependant how far I push my hips up. I'm trying some frog pumps as a switch at the moment too for funsies.
You should be brilliant at those! For those I find that turnout influences glute activation.
It is a much more comfortable and natural movement for me and my bendy legs that love working in centre split (I also really love sumo squats). I like the challenge of trying to maintain knees as far down as possible through the whole thing. Plus the silliness adds to it.
I have long femurs. Sumo squats and I are ooooollllld friends. I wanted to kiss the trainer who suggested them to me. They were the first squat I felt truly comfortable doing.0 -
I'm doing a lot of reading (and re-reading) of this thread, plus side reading of Lyle McDonald's articles on his website.
The concept of the diet break is intriguing, but how do you know you're ready for one? Do I need to wait until weight loss slows and comes to a standstill? Are cravings part of the signal that it's time? Do I schedule a break before I start to break down, or is it supposed to be a pre-emptive strike?
Basically, do you have to earn a break? I don't want to think of a two-week break as a "cheat meal" writ large. I'm around halfway to where I think I want to end up. I'm still losing weight at a good clip, at least when keep my max calories current and not eat all of my exercise calories back. I'm not bored with my food, I try to be flexible and try different things. I do have cravings; okay, yearnings. I'm starting to keep notes in my diary about daily weight, just to practice finding correlation between yesterday's food and today's scale number. (Hope I'm not obsessing; trying to look at it as data collection.) If I can't sense what my hormones are doing, how do I know when it's time?
Criminey -- I'm looking at this as a question of if I've suffered enough yet to schedule a break in my diet. How masochistic is that?
tl;dr: SW 334, CW 253; working with MFP just over 8 months. Thinking of scheduling a break around Christmas. Is this wise?
It sounds like you're psychologically ready for one now, but I wouldn't blame you for waiting until Christmas to take one because that times out perfectly.
I took my very first diet break (a whole month at maintenance!) between Thanksgiving and Christmas one year.5 -
I'm doing a lot of reading (and re-reading) of this thread, plus side reading of Lyle McDonald's articles on his website.
The concept of the diet break is intriguing, but how do you know you're ready for one? Do I need to wait until weight loss slows and comes to a standstill? Are cravings part of the signal that it's time? Do I schedule a break before I start to break down, or is it supposed to be a pre-emptive strike?
Basically, do you have to earn a break? I don't want to think of a two-week break as a "cheat meal" writ large. I'm around halfway to where I think I want to end up. I'm still losing weight at a good clip, at least when keep my max calories current and not eat all of my exercise calories back. I'm not bored with my food, I try to be flexible and try different things. I do have cravings; okay, yearnings. I'm starting to keep notes in my diary about daily weight, just to practice finding correlation between yesterday's food and today's scale number. (Hope I'm not obsessing; trying to look at it as data collection.) If I can't sense what my hormones are doing, how do I know when it's time?
Criminey -- I'm looking at this as a question of if I've suffered enough yet to schedule a break in my diet. How masochistic is that?
tl;dr: SW 334, CW 253; working with MFP just over 8 months. Thinking of scheduling a break around Christmas. Is this wise?
You don't have to "earn" a diet break. There are things that could indicate that you are overdue for one, like stalls, cravings etc. It is supposed to be a regularly scheduled preemptive strike, if you will. Ideally, every 6 to 8 weeks for women and every 8 to 12 weeks for men. It resets hormones that affect hunger, satiety and fat loss and makes the whole experience more efficient. The leaner you get, the more important it becomes.
It also has helpful psychological effects. But it is not really a "cheat meal" (not a term I favor in any circumstance anyway). It is eating at maintenance. Not over. Not under.5 -
I'm doing a lot of reading (and re-reading) of this thread, plus side reading of Lyle McDonald's articles on his website.
The concept of the diet break is intriguing, but how do you know you're ready for one? Do I need to wait until weight loss slows and comes to a standstill? Are cravings part of the signal that it's time? Do I schedule a break before I start to break down, or is it supposed to be a pre-emptive strike?
Basically, do you have to earn a break? I don't want to think of a two-week break as a "cheat meal" writ large. I'm around halfway to where I think I want to end up. I'm still losing weight at a good clip, at least when keep my max calories current and not eat all of my exercise calories back. I'm not bored with my food, I try to be flexible and try different things. I do have cravings; okay, yearnings. I'm starting to keep notes in my diary about daily weight, just to practice finding correlation between yesterday's food and today's scale number. (Hope I'm not obsessing; trying to look at it as data collection.) If I can't sense what my hormones are doing, how do I know when it's time?
Criminey -- I'm looking at this as a question of if I've suffered enough yet to schedule a break in my diet. How masochistic is that?
tl;dr: SW 334, CW 253; working with MFP just over 8 months. Thinking of scheduling a break around Christmas. Is this wise?
If I had it all to do again, I would do pre-emptive strikes (though I kind of did anyway, in terms of eating at maintenance or thereabouts to coincide with particular things).
And we do not use the term "cheat" here 3 -
I'm doing a lot of reading (and re-reading) of this thread, plus side reading of Lyle McDonald's articles on his website.
The concept of the diet break is intriguing, but how do you know you're ready for one? Do I need to wait until weight loss slows and comes to a standstill? Are cravings part of the signal that it's time? Do I schedule a break before I start to break down, or is it supposed to be a pre-emptive strike?
Basically, do you have to earn a break? I don't want to think of a two-week break as a "cheat meal" writ large. I'm around halfway to where I think I want to end up. I'm still losing weight at a good clip, at least when keep my max calories current and not eat all of my exercise calories back. I'm not bored with my food, I try to be flexible and try different things. I do have cravings; okay, yearnings. I'm starting to keep notes in my diary about daily weight, just to practice finding correlation between yesterday's food and today's scale number. (Hope I'm not obsessing; trying to look at it as data collection.) If I can't sense what my hormones are doing, how do I know when it's time?
Criminey -- I'm looking at this as a question of if I've suffered enough yet to schedule a break in my diet. How masochistic is that?
tl;dr: SW 334, CW 253; working with MFP just over 8 months. Thinking of scheduling a break around Christmas. Is this wise?
Great questions! You've already received some great answers, but I'll add my two cents!
I did the diet break because of a slow down in weight loss, but I wish I'd known about it earlier so I could do a pre-emptive strike. Before the diet break, I wasn't experiencing cravings or hunger, and I wasn't bored with my diet. It was just that my weight loss had slowed. During my diet break, I noticed I was sleeping much more easily. It wasn't till that happened that I realized the connection between diet induced raised cortisol levels and sleeping difficulties. I'm two weeks post diet break and I'm still getting the benefits of better sleep.
Psychologically, I don't think I can honestly say I got a benefit from eating more or incorporating different foods, but my success with staying at maintenance calories was a big self esteem booster. It was a great experience to see what "real life" beyond dieting will look like. Since I've never purposefully maintained, I only imagined what eating properly for my weight would be like. Now I know it will be manageable, and that's a relief.
I think it's a good idea to tighten up logging during diet break, even if you're already pretty honest and diligent. I'm like you - accurate data is very important to me.8
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