My first gym workout in a month.......

[LauraMax]

sucked. Nah, super sucked! I cannot believe how much strength I've lost in just a month. I mean, you spend years building strength, & weeks losing it! I was down 10-15 lbs on standing ham curls, 10-15 lbs on bench press, 20 lbs on DB incline press, etc. etc. Happily most of my leg w/o was about the same--squats, lunges, presses & extensions. I guess b/c the squats & lunges use the whole muscle group. I walked in there feeling so happy & excited, I left feeling pretty flippin sad.

My cardio endurance hasn't suffered at all, so that's a good thing.

So, I'm trying to figure out how to re-build. I guess for now I'll really carb out the days before a lifting workout. And I'm thinking about hiring the master trainer at my gym--he doesn't really take clients anymore but he said he'd make an exception since I was on the verge of tears last night. Maybe 4-6 weeks of training w/him 3X a week. He's one of the few trainers I've met that I really trust--everything he's told me makes total sense, & I've never heard him say anything ridiculous (like squatting w/cushioned sneaks is the same thing as squatting on a mattress--sorry, I'm still LMAO at that--it might not be the silliest thing I've heard from a trainer, but it def. makes the top 5 ).

On a positive note, it was great seeing all my gym friends again. They were all so sweet & encouraging, & I really did miss them!

 

[LaughingWater]

I'll bet you anything you catch right back up in no time. In fact, when you do, I want you to tell us so I can link back to this thread and say, "See? I told you so!"

Hope you're continuing to recover well.

 

[SirenSongWoman]

You WILL catch back up fast. Believe me, I know. Whenever I take a break, after a long period of serious strength gains, I always have to return with lower resistance. Usually, I'm back to where I was by the third workout and am lifting even heavier by the fourth! Sometimes, the body needs those breaks. Also, I think it's a good thing your body forces you to return slowly. If not, you'd probably get injured.

 

[atiman]

Oh, you'll be back to your norm within a few workouts. Muscle has memory.

 

[LauraMax]

Thanks guys, I sure hope you're right! It's the longest break I've had from exercising--I know I feel strong as a bear after a rest week, but a rest month left me feeling like Olive Oyl instead of Popeye!

Lori, I'll be looking for that "I told you so" in about a month.

 

[jonahnah]

Hi Laura,

I'm sorry your first session back wasn't as good as you expected, but I bet within 10 days of your typical routine you'll be at 90% of where you were before you started your break. Last night your body was just doing a "Whoa, she wants me to do WHAT??" It'll bounce back in a flash and then you'll see even more gains from where you were. Wait a few weeks and then decide if you want a trainer, but I doubt you will. You are a fitness machine!! Keep us posted.

 

[LauraMax]

LOL! You know what's funny? I did B&G last week--with much less discomfort, incidentally--& I could barely walk the next day. But today I'm not sore at all from last night's leg w/o. I guess my muscle endurance is a wee bit lacking.

I'm waiting til I'm feeling 100% before I even consider paying a trainer, b/c if I'm putting out the money I want THE MOST GRUELING routine he can put together.

 

[jodijodi]

Sorry to hear it didn't go so well Laura. For me personally, I tend to lose cardio endurance before strength, but it didn't take very long at all to get back to where I was. I'm guessing it will be similar for you with strength. Hang in there!!!

 

[Fitnessfreakk366]

I agree with everyone - you WILL catch up, and quickly. You'll be amazed. Your body will remember once you start giving it the load again.

I'm glad to hear you are working out again! Woo hoo!

 

[Vee]

Laura,

The same happens to me when I get back to working out after a break. Cardio endurance is easier to pick up where you left off, but strength slips. However, strength does come back faster than you expect. It wont take you anywhere near as much time that it took to build up to handling the weights you were doing before your break. In about three weeks you will likely be "back".

 

[CollinsMom]

Laura, you are the most *buff* woman I "know." I will forever measure my bicep to yours. I agree with the others -- your body will remember, and fast. Don't get down on yourself. You did a GOOD thing for yourself, and your body WILL reward you!

 

[Pearlstrand]

Me, too!

Laura, I'm recovering from pneumonia and have just started working out after nearly a month off. I was in great shape when I got sick, but am so weak now. Last weekend I did Cathe's beginner videos, which I've owned for years but never done! I sometimes considered giving them away, but I'm glad I didn't. And they were hard for me -- I was so winded and tired.

It really is discouraging to lose so much so quickly. I just have to hang in there and keep going.

Good luck and speedy recovery!

 

[jodijodi]

Kathryn, I have to say that I had no idea you were recovering from pneumonia until you told me! I certainly couldn't tell from looking at you...you looked great last week!! (I wish I looked that good with this cold I have now!)

Hang in there girls!! Hope you're both back to full health and strength soon!!! (((Hugs)))

 

[LauraMax]

Aw! You guys are the best. Thanks so much for the encouragement--I was feeling pretty down about this nonsense!

Kathryn, I'm sorry you've been so sick, I hope we're both "back" before we know it!

 

[DEEDEE2]

Don't feel bad Laura

With me it's endurance. I can go weeks if I have to without weight training and I can jump back in at the same weight if I'm doing heavier work. If I'm doing endurance work...forget it! I will notice a fall off in endurance within 2 weeks of inactivity. And the kicker is, it takes me months to actually begin to see an improvment in my muscular endurace training...I guess I'm a fast twitch explosive kind of girl!