Break?

fitplundy
fitplundy Posts: 47 Member
edited November 25 in Health and Weight Loss
I’ve been pretty keen on a diet now for about 4 months, and my body had hit a stall for about 2 weeks. Should I take a diet break and just go to maintinence for a week or two? Or should I wait it out? I’m really just dragging in all aspects, even in the gym.

Replies

  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Read
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10604863/of-refeeds-and-diet-breaks

    (Maybe not the whole thing).

    But yeah, they can be helpful for a couple of reasons.
  • laurenbastug
    laurenbastug Posts: 307 Member
    Following because I'm curious of others thoughts.

    I always thought after 6-8 weeks of going hard in the gym, a deload week is beneficial. Pairing this with maintenance calories also sounds like it would be helpful. Just the mental break alone would be very welcome.
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  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    fitplundy wrote: »
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    Two weeks isn't an especially long time for a stall, but I tend to think that a break now and then is a good idea as long as you feel it's not going to cause you a bunch of extra stress. You don't say what you weigh right now, but I have read that breaks are more important the leaner you are. I know a couple of people have reported having a difficult time getting back to deficit eating after a diet break, but that really just depends on the person. It has not been my experience, at least. Getting more calories could certainly help out in the gym.
    If it helps any I went from 177 to about 125. I lose weight quite easily with right eating and exercise but also have a hard time putting on muscle and I was pretty constant on weight loss by no matter how much time I spend in the gym daily or adjust something it still doesn’t even budge, not even when dropped all the way to the lowest cal intake (1200). Quite frustrating :/

    How tall are you? How lean is 125?

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  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited March 2018
    fitplundy wrote: »
    I’ve been pretty keen on a diet now for about 4 months, and my body had hit a stall for about 2 weeks. Should I take a diet break and just go to maintinence for a week or two? Or should I wait it out? I’m really just dragging in all aspects, even in the gym.

    eta: I see the stats you posted.

    Weight loss at your stats is going be a slow progression. You won't gain muscle in a deficit. You need more time and some patience. That said 4 months with no break If you are truly struggling then the diet break can help you with mentally and physically. I think since you asked about it, it might be where your train of thought is taking you so I would do it.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited March 2018
    fitplundy wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    fitplundy wrote: »
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    Two weeks isn't an especially long time for a stall, but I tend to think that a break now and then is a good idea as long as you feel it's not going to cause you a bunch of extra stress. You don't say what you weigh right now, but I have read that breaks are more important the leaner you are. I know a couple of people have reported having a difficult time getting back to deficit eating after a diet break, but that really just depends on the person. It has not been my experience, at least. Getting more calories could certainly help out in the gym.
    If it helps any I went from 177 to about 125. I lose weight quite easily with right eating and exercise but also have a hard time putting on muscle and I was pretty constant on weight loss by no matter how much time I spend in the gym daily or adjust something it still doesn’t even budge, not even when dropped all the way to the lowest cal intake (1200). Quite frustrating :/

    How tall are you? How lean is 125?
    5’5, about 22/23% body fat. Female

    You're at a healthy weight and good BF%...it's going to be slow as *kitten* at this point. Getting super lean is hard and goes against our biology.
  • Leannep2201
    Leannep2201 Posts: 441 Member
    edited March 2018
    I’ve also been reading up on the refeeds and diet breaks thread mentioned above. Some good advice in there. It’s been nearly 3 months for me, and weight loss has been steady. I’ve still got a lot to lose, but I’m getting ready to take a break for a week-10 days, mainly because I’m going away for several days and food will be catered, so I have less choice about what I can eat.

    For me, it’s about the psychological benefit, but breaks can be good for helping with hormones or something, too- can’t quite remember what I read in the thread.
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