Breaks and taking vacations

B

Bonne

Active Member
Cathe (and others in the educated crowd),

How do you feel about taking extended breaks? I workout regularly (try to do 5-6 workouts a week), I read somewhere that after six months (or some similar length of time) it is good to take a week off from working out (just doing yoga or light aerobics, or no extra activity). How do you feel about this? Also when you take a vacation, do you do the "active vacation" thing (hiking, rafting etc.) or do you recommend a vacation of total relaxation? I am trying to plan for summer vacation and am wondering if it would be better for me to really take a vacation from everything (including intense exercise) or make it an active vacation? What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Bonne
 
Hi, Bonne! I'm not Cathe, but I take a vacation every summer and it's hard to keep up with my usual routine. A break of a week is actually very beneficial to you. It takes a little time for detraining to take effect. The one thing I caution you is to reduce your caloric intake slightly so you don't see much of a weight gain. When I go to visit my mom in Michigan each summer, I take a long my running shoes and go out and enjoy the trees and the greenery (I live in Tucson, Arizona now). I always swear I will do push up, crunches and dips and stuff like that but rarely can fit it much strength work. I stay for 3 weeks and stay in good shape in spite of the change in my regular routine. Have a great time! Relax and know you will come home and be ready to get back into your fitness routine ready, rearing to go!

Bobbi http://www.plauder-smilies.de/chicken.gif Chicks Rule!
 
I've read that a 1-week break is fine, and that you'll probably come back with more energy and motivation. The hard part is feeling guilt-free about taking a break since you're so used to exercising. I prefer relaxing vactions, even though it still feels weird to be "lazy." But a week isn't that long and your body needs a break!

PS- I just broke a toe, so I'm definatley hoping a "break" is ok!
 
Hi Bonne, I recently posted a similar question, because I was going on a 2 week vacation. On my vacation, I just relaxed and barely did anything...but a strange thing happened. I actually lost weight!! Weird but true, maybe my body just needed a break, or a shock. Regardless, a short break can only do your body good, so dont worry, relax and enjoy your well deserved vacation!
 
Bonne:

how do you feel? Are you feeling like exploring a bit of the world? Are you in contemplative mood? Are you stressed out from your job and daily occupations? Do you ever get the time to stop ans smell the roses? Are vacations a time to energize for you or relax? What needs most treatment: your mind, body or spirit?

I think we have to reach a point where, as dedicated to our health and fitness as we are, we do not lose all perspective by not allowing ourselves a week or two of rest, a different mode and pace of life, a change of scene and all the different activities or lack of them, that that change involves.

I think only you can answer this question because only you know what you need the most. For myself and my partner, we live in the flat old mid-west but yearn to live in Washington State or Oregon for the mountains and outdoors life. So what raises our wintry spirits is the chance to head off back packing, hiking and a litle climbing and camping with our 8 and 5 year old. So, it's a semi-active vacation, where their energy levels or need to go dash around a park or zoo dictates the pace. Last year the little one had her introduction to the wilds and couldn't walk the 8 mile hikes her elder sister can do, so I had a very active vacation carrying her 40 pounds plus in a child carrier on my back to climb mountains such as medicine Bow Peak in Wyoming. So, I had chiseled thighs and glutes by the end of the vacation!! But you know, as hard as it was, that is what makes my spirit soar: to be away from all that causes stress in my daily life, let the kids see that there is more to life than cities and lying on beaches... and learn a little about the wilds and what their bodies can do.

What works for you? What will make your spirit soar? There is more to life than squats and lunges. Cathe won't miss you for a week or two. Do you live to work out or work out to live better?

Go have a great vacation, one that makes you happy! See you folks in Glacier Range in Montana this Summer... yeah!

Clare
 
Hi Bonne! I am totally in favor of taking breaks. There is such a thing as "too much of a good thing". Your body responds very well to change as it does recovery time. If I worked out for 6 months at 5 to 6 days a week, I wouldn't even hesitate to take a one week break.

I play vacation by ear. If activities are available that look fun to me, I do them. If I am in the mood to be lazy and take in the poolside, I do that too. I make no plans and whatever will be, will be. I will say that if you are an active exerciser on a regular basis, you should feel no need to continue this pace on your vacation. Should you be inactive on your vacation, you will have one or two sluggish days after you return, but after that, your body will come right back. So just do exactly what you want to do guilt free.
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Mar-11-02 AT 06:00PM (Est)[/font][p]It's strange, because I just took a one week break, and I ended up losing weight as well (5 lbs - I know this wasn't all fat, it was some water, but nevertheless). I ate more during that week than I normally do, and I didn't do ANYTHING at all as far as exercise is concerned. I've been working out seriously for about 3.5 years now, and could never seem to get those last inches off, but they're gone now. Maybe our bodies really do need exercise hiatus's every once in awhile?
 
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