Hitting the weights again after time off

[vin01]

I am in the process of taking sometime off (3 weeks). I had only planned a week, but with school and moving being so hectic, it has turned into 3.

I amusing this time to tweak my routine, which I will post eventually. I had run a quasi-5x5 for the past 8 weeks before my layoff.

I think I am going to start off with a 8 weeks of HST, followed by a 5x5 cycle for the winter.

Anybody else take a long time off like this? I've never went more then 12 days without lifting. How long will it take for me to get back into the swing of things/ regain strength?

I have already lost 6 lbs and a little bit of size, but my diet right now is pretty crappy.

What happened to everyone else?

 

[JL_204]

Ive been off for about 2 months now after going hard for 2.5 years.

The first month isnt that bad. I barely lost any muscle mass and my wieght stayed pretty much the same. The 2nd month is brutal though. My muscle has atrophied like a bitch, I've lost around 10 lbs, and my abs have diminished.

In your case I dont think you have anything to worry about. It could actually be benificial. You might return to training stonger than ever.

 

[sandman_007]

how the heck do you take 1 month off from lifting! I'd go insane if i had to do that, completely nuts!

the most time i can take off is 5-7 days and i only do that when i absolutely need to, ie, if my body tells me i need a break. But it is impossible for me mentally to take off more time than that....i will go crazy!

 

[vin01]

the only reason i took ANY time off was bc i moved back to school, and moved off campus, and too broke to get another gym membership.. and dont have time ATM to go the schools gym. these week have SUCKED

i am itching so bad to get back. i dont even care if i go heavy for a looong time. i am just lookign forward to getting pumped up again.

i havent even done any kind of cardio.

Does anyone think that if I hit it hard again after a 3 week break I could experience any kind of "newbie gains" all over again? that would be the great!

 

[theprofessor]

how the heck do you take 1 month off from lifting! I'd go insane if i had to do that, completely nuts!

the most time i can take off is 5-7 days and i only do that when i absolutely need to, ie, if my body tells me i need a break. But it is impossible for me mentally to take off more time than that....i will go crazy!

me too, month is way too long. im in the process of moving from CA to ID and i dont plan on missing more than my normal 2 days

 

[vin01]

hit the gym for the first time in 3 weeks. did some hst 15 reps. felt good, yet exhausting.

psyched to get huge again!!

 

[Epiphany]

I've had to take plenty of time off due to medical problems (2 months, 3 months, and 1.5 months...all at different points within the last 3 years.) I lose a lot of muscle each time (FREAKED me out the first time around...) but I always gain it all back and then some within 6 to 8 weeks of getting back to the gym. My strength usually drops insanely...but I get stronger than I was prior to the "break" within a month or so.

Anyway...my conclusion is that your body could actually use the break to its benefit; so try not to worry about it too much!