What Happens When I Stop Exercising

**chrispghmuscle** · 12-14-2007, 07:36 AM

So you have been working out for a while, seeing great results and loving the difference you see and feel in your body. But what happens if, for some reason — injury, holidays, burnout, or something else — you have to stop for a while.

What happens?

Well first, let me tell you what doesn’t happen. Your muscle does not turn to fat. That would be like saying if you stop driving your car, your tires will turn to marshmallows. You may lose muscle mass and gain some fat, but your muscle does not turn to fat.

Here is what does happen:

Cardio: You begin to lose aerobic endurance in as little as two weeks.

Muscular Strength: Muscular strength will return to pre-exercise levels after four to 12 weeks off.

Muscular Size: Muscles will shrink after 4-12 weeks off.

Metablism: As your muscles atrophy, your metabolism will slow. This means that if you eat the same amount, you will gain weight.

The good news is once you start exercising again is all comes back fairly fast.

Chris

Mygeeto · 12-14-2007, 08:20 AM

good job Chris

i can also vouch that another side effect of not training is the toll it takes on your mind. for whatever reason you are not training for an extended period, it does play on the mind a bit.

and for those of you who have just came back from an extended lay off.. be gentle on yourself because its these times where injuries are most common.

**Kirk** · 12-14-2007, 08:21 AM

great post chris, early morning reps to ya.

**chrispghmuscle** · 12-14-2007, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mygeeto

good job Chris

i can also vouch that another side effect of not training is the toll it takes on your mind. for whatever reason you are not training for an extended period, it does play on the mind a bit.

and for those of you who have just came back from an extended lay off.. be gentle on yourself because its these times where injuries are most common.

Mygeeto, I'm proof it plays a toll on a person's mind.. I've been driving myself crazy since my operations November 8th. I almost quit the dungeon because of it,, I was stressed about it and Freak talked me outta of it.

Chris

**chrispghmuscle** · 12-14-2007, 08:30 AM

Thanks Kirk.

Mygeeto · 12-14-2007, 08:39 AM

remember this thread? guys help...

i think its a testament to how stupid people can become while out of thier normal training routine. while being out of my cycle was not the only cause of such eradic actions, it would have certainly played a huge part in it.

**Kirk** · 12-14-2007, 08:42 AM

...i do remember that thread...^^

**mr_bhana** · 12-14-2007, 10:21 AM

Great post i hope the day that i permanently stop excercising never comes

**chrispghmuscle** · 12-14-2007, 10:25 AM

Long live working out / pumping iron / cutting / bulking / competing ( moorey , kaboom , Layne ( and anyone else I missed ) / impressing the judges / wooing the girls, ( kirk ) ahah.

And watching Arnold on Youtube

**moorey** · 12-14-2007, 12:30 PM

[quote=chrispghmuscle;466217]Mygeeto, I'm proof it plays a toll on a person's mind.. I've been driving myself crazy since my operations November 8th. I almost quit the dungeon because of it,, I was stressed about it and Freak talked me outta of it.

Its crazy the effect that not training has on you! Ive not been able to train cos of flu for the last seven days and I know its nothing, Ive had extended periods off like Chris through a car accident, but everytime I have time off I go through the psychological battles of youll shrink, youll lose muscle and because as you guys have said you are not getting the serotonine release, depressed as fuck!

**chrispghmuscle** · 12-14-2007, 12:36 PM

Yeah it can get pretty bad moorey