You're thinking of taking the summer off from the gym because you're going to workout outside or you're just too busy to squeeze in gym time. Here are some things to think about before you commit to this extended break.
If you don't use it, you lose it. When you stop working out for a period of time, muscle atrophy occurs. This is the breakdown of your muscles. Within two weeks you will lose up to 12 per cent of your muscle strength. After two months, July and August, you will lose up to 35 per cent of your muscle strength. So, if you think that in fall you can just head back to the gym and pick up where you left off, you risk injuring yourself by trying to do too much. Starting back with substantially lower weights and a slowed routine will be your only safe option. Not only that, but it will take you an average of six weeks to gain back strength after just two months off.
It takes anywhere from four to 12 weeks for your muscle size and as little as two weeks for your aerobic endurance to decrease back to pre-exercise condition. All your hard work all year can be sabotaged by just a short break.
Other changes may include the scale. When you stop exercising, your metabolism slows down dramatically. Also, all the calories you were burning during your workouts will now be stored as fat unless you consume that many less calories each day. During the summer months, people tend to eat (and drink) more calories than any other time of year. So, in fact, you should be boosting up your workouts to compensate for this extra calorie intake.
Not only can our body suffer during time off, but our mental well being also suffers. Poor self image, added stress and even mild depression can be associated with extended periods without exercising. During the summer, everyone wants to feel great and confident about the way their bodies look and feel. Other health effects can include increased blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels and increased resting heart rate. The damage that can result are much greater than just the numbers on the scale.
Before you decide to take the summer off, make sure to consider all the consequences you may face. Don't let all your hard work all year long go to waste. Even if you can keep up with your routine a few times a week, it will be beneficial in the long run. Talk to me or Keith at NAC about what changes you can make to your routine to keep you on track for fall if you can only make it to the gym a limited number of times during the week.
Say it! Mean it! Do it!
