How do you know when to take a break...

[takniteasy]

From training and dieting?

I am curious cause I feel like I have reached a point where although I have not been able to train as intensely as I would have liked, I have been on cutting diet since January. I have had a few "cheat" days here and there to break up the routine but now seem to lack that drive to resume training and clean eating. I am not sure what I will do to jump start myself back into training but I am up for suggestions.

Anyone else have similar experiences?

 

[spatts]

Hm...well. The other day I sneezed. I thought I was going to crack a rib and/or rip something it hurt so bad. I'm taking this week off.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Must be in the air! I am taking the next few days off -- I am tired.....my muscles remained sore last week at least a full 7 days before I was supposed to hit the body part again. I think my body is telling me something.

I am sure my current bp of like 88/50 has something to do with being tired.

I have only taken two other breaks in training over the past 3 years. Last one was when my husband and I eloped in September....but we were only away from the gym for 4 days and hiked alot while we were away.

It is a good thing to do it!

 

[spatts]

Yeah....I'm like you, I just listen to my body.

At some point it just says, "WOMAN! SIT DOWN!"

 

[staw]

Yeah, it must be in the air all over the US. It is currently a totally beautiful day in Alaska. Gonna take some time this weekend to get out and really enjoy it. Be itching to get back after a few days off.

Course, the weather up here changes fast. Could be bad tomorrow, in which case I will be in the gym.

Try taking a break and doing something fun outside. Remain active, just do it differently. Life is too short to spend all one's time in the gym. Go out and live, girl. It'll make ya feel better.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Yeah....I'm like you, I just listen to my body.

At some point it just says, "WOMAN! SIT DOWN!"

LMAO -- yes and I think mine shouted just like that!!

Hope you enjoy your R&R Spatts...I feel guilty about it but I know it is good for me.

Hell, I am not even gonna clean the house either!

 

[Ceebs]

I know it's time to take a couple of days off when:

- I'm hungry all the time.
- I feel feverish and achey after excercising.
- I huff and puff doing what came easily at the previous workout.
- I stop seeing progress in my body.

I thought I was the only one who had an R&R gremlin with a megaphone.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

I thought I was the only one who had an R&R gremlin with a megaphone.

LOL!!! Cute.

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

We're supposed to clean house too?

Dunno about you -- but little elves have not shown up here...I think it is messier when I get home from work and there is supposedly NOBODY HOME!

As for supposed to..not sure which braniac decided we women have to do it.

 

[takniteasy]

Whew! And I thought it was just me! I have made plans to take the next week or so off from what little training I've been doing and from the diet. I talked with a training partner who I have not seen in about 3 months and she is in the same boat. So we agreed to "take a vacation" together. That way neither she nor I will give into "I have to train or keep on dieting or risk losing the gains" mentality. Yeah, I got that mental state right about now, so my girlfriend is there to tell me it aint gonna happen that way. You know, the reality check sorta thing.

 

[Sumo'sBaby]

I agree it must be in the air. I'm taking a week or 2 off. Just because I'm bored and I've hit a plateau. I'm revamping my workout again so I'm going to take a break so I can start my new program bright eyed and bushy tailed.

 

[spatts]

Do the rest of you, by any chance, suffer from seasonal allergies?

 

[KEL]

allergy sufferer here
...and I am also plagued by that R&R gremlin

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Do the rest of you, by any chance, suffer from seasonal allergies?

Yeah Spatts -- I do. Just as the grass really starts to germenate or when certain trees produce flowers...but then it goes away....until fall when the grass does that germination thing.

So you think it is related? Good thought.

I am just feeling crappy overall....swollen glands, sore-ish throat, really tired. I may be fighting off something.

 

[wilson6]

Start loading up on Borage and Fish Oil for the allergies.

W6

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Just got myself some Borage......

 

[slinky]

Seasonal allergies? Yes. I suffer in the way of asthma. And man, my asthma has been a beee-atch.

Not only are off days good physically; they're good mentally. Sometimes a nice, occasional diversion from the usual routine gives your brain a shot of "WOW!"

Sometimes, what I do is load up on quarters and go to a local arcade and play some games. I even go and check out a few comic book stores nearby (the geek in me); anything that gets my mind going again.

Oh, but nothing beats sitting down and relaxing with a nice brew. Best way to give myself a "pat on the back" for the hard work.

Oh and W6, you're right about the fish oil. They have helped me.

 

[JJFigure]

Man, you guys made me tired just reading this post. It also made me take a look at the old training log and figure out I hadn't taken a day off in two weeks - so I took the day off. Of course, tomorrow I've got a double workout planned. I'm already psyched to be back in the gym, freak that I am.

 

[Sumo'sBaby]

I have seasonal allergies too. Thanks for the tip on the Borage and Fish Oil...I was planning on picking them up for PMS related issues. Nice to know it will help with allergies too.

 

[valerie]

Have been taking 9-10 days off from the gym every 8 weeks or so. REALLY HELPS. I use the time to go hiking. Everyone here who is not a newbie should know better!!!!!!!!!

No better way to increase gains and keep the body in one piece before it rebels and breaks down-valerie

 

[staw]

Dunno if anyone has something similar but... I have allergies to, but only at a certain height. When hiking, I reach a certain altitude and then bam. Sneeze mania. But hey, I'm entertaining! Have to research some more plant info and figure out what grows only at that altitude.

 

[rez]

taking time off - do you mean a week or a day? how often do you train normally?

I have found reducing my training days and mixing up cardio helps.
i train 3x p/w and sometimes do 3 or 4 cardio sessions a week, add pilates in there as well - great for streching all those overworked muscles!