Anyone take a week off from exercise??

shanlynt
shanlynt Posts: 718 Member
edited October 3 in Health and Weight Loss
I've never not exercised since starting MFP and so I want to try one week of just staying within my calories to see how my weight loss progresses. What do you think?
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Replies

  • TooFatToFit
    TooFatToFit Posts: 285 Member
    I'm not sure. WHY do you want a week off? Just to see if you can ditch exercise and still lose? Personally, I don't think I'd do that because I know my cardiovascular system needs to be improved, weight loss or not. I know my body is unhealthy and exercise is the only way to fix that.
  • cheddar2000
    cheddar2000 Posts: 43 Member
    For myself, I exercise every day in some form. I can make up all kinds of excuses to not exercise and reason them out so well. Also there is just so many good reasons to exercise why not do it? You will have to ask yourself deep down what is going on? Hope this helps.
  • leannmr2002
    leannmr2002 Posts: 12
    I took this week off due to being sick...I miss the gym!! Going today despite how my sinus' feel....my body needs the exercise!
  • docHelen
    docHelen Posts: 198
    you'll probably find you loose weight but it will be muscle not fat. :(
  • Markus1
    Markus1 Posts: 3
    I took the last week off due to being away on a business trip and noticed the difference, put on five pounds. Getting away from working out caused me to burn on the average 500 less calories a day, my eating habits changes as well as my liquid intake (not sweating out the excess water). I was back to the grind this morning, looking at undoing the damage I did by not keeping up. A lesson learned.
  • Lindz2323
    Lindz2323 Posts: 261 Member
    I had a friend on here try this as an experiment and she gained a few pounds by the end of that week =/
  • akaChuck
    akaChuck Posts: 233 Member
    If there isn't a reason why you need to take off then don't take one off for the heck of it, it could start a habit of not going to the gym 'just cause'.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    I took ALMOST this whole week off except for 2 days of strength training. I plan to workout today for a 3rd day. I wouldn't drop ALL your exercise, but you don't need to do cardio if you don't want to. do your 2-3 days of strength training though
  • deathstarclock
    deathstarclock Posts: 512 Member
    Some will argue weight loss can be achieved if you use more calories than you consume. I guess it'll be all about how to expend those calories to achieve that difference (assuming that argument of course).
  • MaraBunny
    MaraBunny Posts: 6
    I had a trainer at one point that wanted me to take every 7th week off from working out, his reason was the body gets accustomed to it and adjusts and adapts, that this break confused the body and allowed for better results. I didn't make it to 7 weeks with him due to other conflicts however the reason sounds good, he had me do the same with eating but on a different scale, I had 2 days of 1400 cals followed by one of 1700, again to confuse the body. This allowed for cheat days to be built in but on a regular basis. Once I stopped working out and monitoring caloric intake I still managed to maintain that loss I had accomplished for a long time.
  • dietpop
    dietpop Posts: 37 Member
    I took 10 days off while on vacation and just walked around. It was fine.
  • JakkiCarter
    JakkiCarter Posts: 31
    I wouldn't advise it. Taking a week off may effect the routine you've had. It may also make it that much harder to start exercising again once that week of rest is up. Maybe just try to lower the amount you exercise for a week to help make sure you stay on track and analyze how your body reacts with the lower level of physical activity.
  • surfrgrl1
    surfrgrl1 Posts: 1,464 Member
    I've lost weight in the past by only watching my calories. It can be done. But this time around I'm combining both to the best of my ability so that I can enjoy a body that looks and feels better.

    Were you asking this to see if anyone had experienced a plateau breaker from taking a week off?
  • SetecAstronomy
    SetecAstronomy Posts: 470 Member
    I took this week off due to being sick...I miss the gym!! Going today despite how my sinus' feel....my body needs the exercise!
    I also did the same thing pretty much...I think I exercised two days last week but had to take the rest of the week off due to illness. I still ended up losing weight but I'd really like to get back on the treadmill, crazy as that sounds...
  • shorty458
    shorty458 Posts: 163 Member
    My fiancee didn't really exercise at all (just took some long walks and walked the dog on a daily basis) and he lost 65 lbs. I haven't done exercise in about 1 1/2 weeks (long story!) and I still have lost weight.
  • shanlynt
    shanlynt Posts: 718 Member
    Exactly. I guess I was hoping it would kick start my system somehow. I think you guys are right though. One week off could lead to another week and realistically exercise is going to be part of my life forever so...yah.
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    Maybe split the difference and spend a week with light exercise? Example: Instead of running, walk. Take a light week and your body may appreciate the rest and recovery time. Mine usually does. I don't gain weight back and feel stronger when I return to my norm.
  • laneybird
    laneybird Posts: 532 Member
    I hate missing workout days, I've gotten used to doing some form of exercise 5-6 days a week. This past week I missed 3 days (because of classes for work that I had to leave before the sun come up and got home after dark...and I have a 3yo.) I lost a lot (almost 4 lbs!) last week... but I felt like crap. Starting back, even after you have just missed a few days takes a toll... I was out of breath and tired out quicker.

    It's your choice, ofcourse, if you want to take a break... but just personally for me I wouldn't. If you need 2 rest days a week, then I would do that for sure. Best of luck to you!!
  • ursy87
    ursy87 Posts: 287
    I was sick for a week and didn't do any of my 'normal' routine, I stayed within my food allowances but the scales remained unchanged. Been back exercising this week and hopeful of a good payoff tomorrow. Also I really missed it after a day or two, I wanted to exercise but even light housework was leaving me wiped out.
  • basicliving
    basicliving Posts: 33
    Maybe you could try doing a completely different exercise to jump start your metabolism? For example if you usually ride a bike at the gym, try rowing instead. Of if you normally walk, do an exercise video for that amount of time. I think changing up the type of exercise would work better than not exercising for a week.
  • shanlynt
    shanlynt Posts: 718 Member
    I think part of my issue is that I am still confused as to whether or not to use all/some of my exercise calories. Perhaps that should be my experiment instead.
  • barbiex3
    barbiex3 Posts: 1,036 Member
    I run cross country for college, and my coach advises us to take a week of rest after the season is over.
    I don't know why people are trying to bash you for not wanting to exercise for a week. Whatever your reason is, I think you should try it. It is good to know how your body reacts to different things including exercise or lack of it.


    Good luck to you :D !
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    I've never not exercised since starting MFP and so I want to try one week of just staying within my calories to see how my weight loss progresses. What do you think?

    I think this is a good idea. But, I would suggest staying active.
  • Learnin2LuvMe
    Learnin2LuvMe Posts: 465 Member
    I took a a break last week,a whole 7 days,my body needed it after 6 months of working out.I still ate healthy but indulged every now and then.I did go up 1 lb,in a week thats not to bad..i started working out again today,which felt great! I could tell difference though..If youve been doing it for awhile,then sure take a break,but just know your body does get comfy with just laying around,even if its healthy eating..Our body does need some type of movement.Everyone deserves a break every now and then.Good luck on your journey:)
  • TheBraveryLover
    TheBraveryLover Posts: 1,217 Member
    Go for it! Let us know how it turns out. Personally, I think you'll get good results as long as your calories stay in check.
  • california_peach
    california_peach Posts: 1,809 Member
    I took two weeks off because of an injury and it was the worst two weeks EVER. I felt tired and lazy. I ended getting a cold and I swear I got that darn cold because I was sitting around on my butt.....the germs wouldn't have caught me if I have been moving...LOL! If you have to do it, then do it. But if you don't HAVE to do it, don't do it.
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    I took about 5 days off a few weeks ago due to an injury. I felt sluggish on those days, but I also paid much more attention to what I was eating. I didn't gain weight within those 5 days, but I didn't lose weight that week either. (I'm really short so it's hard for me to create a significant calorie deficit.) If you're exercising every day, then I'd suggest taking a day or two off just to prevent burn out or injury (I learned this the hard way). If you're trying to kick start your metabolism or something like that, then try a new workout routine...
  • engineman312
    engineman312 Posts: 3,450 Member
    i usually take 4 days off at a time, but thats because i'll work 4 12 hour shifts in a row. and if i stay within my calorie goals, i usually find i'll drop a pound or so in those few days.
  • KettyLan
    KettyLan Posts: 440 Member
    I will have to take a week off next week and I'm already suffering! Don't do it, unless you are forced like me
  • midwesthiker
    midwesthiker Posts: 144
    I didn't exercise for the first 6 months. I lost about 12 pounds and realized that to lose more I had to exercise. I have noticed with exercise that even when I don't lose off the scale I lose inches and my clothes are too big. I never had that happen when I was just watching my diet.
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