Taking time off.

[general31]

What is the longest u guys take off from lifting to let yourself get a break. I stopped in October of 2004 and started back up in January. I am having a lot of joint pain in shoulders ,wrists and elbows. Did I take too much time off? I have only lost about 5 - 10% strength which I feel is good, but I ache like a MOFO all the time.

[GQplaya]

thats a long time, i would consider takin a week off, but that would be the extreme most

[general31]

thats a long time, i would consider takin a week off, but that would be the extreme most

I know it was a long time. I had been hittin it hard for a year straight. Two cycles, clean diet, I was burned out for some reason. I felt like I needed it but know I am not sure it was a good idea. Thanks for the imput GQ.

[Jantzen4k]

i was off for about 1 month during finals (may) week and 1 moth during christmas/newyears. i felt like sh*t. hope youll get back into it soon mate. itll come back....eventually.

[Beefkake31]

They say it's good to take a 5-7 day break every 4 months or so. You get better results this way. I've had many friends that had gone for 5-6 months or so take 5 or 6 days off and go back to the gym and their strength had gone up.

[Hollisxrbc]

October to January is more than a recovery break. Taking a break that long(at least for me) would go beyond full recovery and into atrophy and gettin weaker. I gotta go with gq and say that a solid week off is a good time to take off to come back in refreshed. I take a week off prolly every other month, and when I come back(I always lead off with bench after a break) Im stronger on the lifts.

[Jantzen4k]

time off is good but not too much.

be sure to keep diet in check while off.

[general31]

time off is good but not too much.

be sure to keep diet in check while off.

Thats what f**ked me up also. I just went ballistic on all the foods I stayed away from for so long. I added about 10# of fat on my a$$ and it showed. Guys went from saying "**** bro u are looking big" to say'in "**** bro, your gett'in fat". Oh well, I will be back in no time. Thanks for the responses.

[Jantzen4k]

I just went ballistic on all the foods I stayed away from for so long. I added about 10# of fat on my a$$ and it showed. Guys went from saying "**** bro u are looking big" to say'in "**** bro, your gett'in fat".

lol, thats never good

[general31]

Thanks Jantzen, I think I will go shoot myself now

[Hypertrophy]

Agreed, that's more than a break. Detraining definitely took place. You should incorporate an "unloading week" or "reduced volume phase" into your workouts. This will allow for recovery and you will not have to take a week off.

[general31]

Some good sound advice. thanks Hyper. I don't think I will do it again. It was fun eating like a pig but I got a little caught up in the s**t for too long.

[needmorestrength]

Dont worry I had to take from October to Feb off since I injured my elbows.. But I kept diet n cardio in check

[Jantzen4k]

Dont worry I had to take from October to Feb off since I injured my elbows.. But I kept diet n cardio in check

how do you/is it possible to keep diet in check during CHRISTMAS & NEWYEARS?!?!?!?!

[general31]

how do you/is it possible to keep diet in check during CHRISTMAS & NEWYEARS?!?!?!?!

Hunting season, Thanks Giving, Christmas, New Years, DIET, YEAH RIGHT!