No matter how enthusiastic you’re about your fitness, there are always days when you don’t feel like stepping out of your bed let alone sweat it out in the gym. Sometimes it is because of your looming work deadlines, then there are days when you feel sick or even just plain old boredom can also keep you from exercising at times. Since you like to call yourself a fitness freak, you may hesitate to acknowledge this bitter truth aloud but we know that deep down you just felt that you couldn’t agree more.
Skipping workout once in a while is a normal thing. But following through on the temptation to just quit may prove to be a bad decision. Exercise has plenty of incredible benefits but they’re not permanent. Yes, many of these hard-earned gains from exercising regularly will start to vanish in just a couple of weeks, if you stop working out.
Here is exactly what happens to your body when stop working out
Giving up exercise can have significant effects on your body, impacting various aspects of your health and fitness. Here’s what happens when you stop working out:
Within 10 days: Changes in brain function may occur. Research suggests that regular exercise benefits brain health, potentially offsetting age-related memory decline. However, taking a short break from exercise can lead to reduced blood flow to the hippocampus, a brain region associated with memory and emotion. While cognitive changes may not be immediately noticeable, long-term studies are needed to fully understand the implications.
Within 2 weeks: Endurance levels decline, and vital signs may become elevated. After just two weeks without exercise, climbing stairs may feel more challenging, as your body’s ability to utilize oxygen decreases. While strength and speed may not decrease significantly, blood pressure and blood glucose levels may rise.
Within 4 weeks: Muscle strength begins to decline. Some individuals may notice a decline in strength after about two weeks of inactivity, while others may experience it around four weeks post-exercise cessation.
Within 8 weeks: Fat gain becomes noticeable. Approximately six weeks after stopping exercise, physical changes may become apparent. Studies have shown that competitive swimmers who took a five-week break from training experienced a 12% increase in body fat levels, along with increases in body weight and waist circumference.
These findings underscore the importance of maintaining a regular exercise routine for overall health and fitness. While occasional breaks may be necessary, consistent physical activity is crucial for maintaining optimal physical and cognitive function.