Surprising things that happen when you stop working out

Whether you are a workout freak or not, you should know what your body goes through when you take a small sabbatical from your gym. You might have experienced the soreness post-workout the very first time you hit the gym, the similar thing happens to your body when to resume workout after taking off for a while. The change in stamina and strength is real and somewhat discouraging too—both physically and mentally. We bring you some of the tough realities that testify that you might enjoy your time when you are away from your workout, but detraining may have some negative impacts on your body.

Know what happens to your body when you fall off the workout wagon.

Your muscle slackens

When you stop working out for some time, your body begins to change. Your muscle mass decreases and muscles start slacking. The change is more internal than external. The strength in your body starts subsiding and muscle atrophy kicks in. Moreover, there is a noticeable change in the body weight and fat percentage. The fat burning capabilities of fibers come down and your body strength and resistance goes down.

Your metabolism drops

When you take off from the regular workout, your body stores fats, which makes your body weight to soar high. No exercise contributes to a lower metabolism rate and less fat burning. Hence, your body stores fat. According to studies, athletes who had quit workout experienced a sudden increase in body fat. So, if you have to take a sabbatical from your workout regimen, incorporate healthy and fat-free foods in your diet. Reducing your calorie intake can help you prevent weight gain while you are off from the gym.

Your Blood pressure shoots up

Depriving your body of a regular exercise regimen could result in unstable blood sugar level. It solely because your blood pressure level is normally on the higher side on days you go for a workout than on days you skip. Though there are no massive occurrences that put your wellness at stake, still you might experience some hiccups due to the inconsistency.

You become prone to lethargy

When your body is used to rigorous workouts, your endorphin level goes high and this is what keeps you refreshed and energetic all day. But suddenly when you take a hiatus from your daily workout regimen, your endorphin level hits ‘inactive-status’ or produces less endorphin than it used to. Your body was accustomed to the endorphin level when you were hitting the gym and a sudden drop on it makes your body crave for it. Moreover, your metabolism is on the higher side when you are active and a drop in that makes you prone to laziness.

Your body absorbs less nutrition

When your body is used to a daily workout regimen, a sudden change in that routine results in certain disturbances in nutrition absorption. An active body absorbs essential nutrients such as vitamins, carbs, protein, fats, minerals etc. much faster than when it is in an inactive state. Similarly, your active body distributes the carbs and sugar to the muscles to supply energy. Hence, when your body is inactive the insulin sensitivity is decreased in the body, because of which cells get deprived of glucose and it remains in the blood. Thus your blood sugar level remains on the higher side.

You experience mood swings

You cannot disagree the heavenly feeling post-workout when you come out with a big smile on your face, feeling healthy, confident and stronger. The credit for your chirpiness goes to your workout that keeps the consistency of hormones, balances the depression causing chemicals with releasing depression and anxiety repressing chemicals. Naturally, when you are skipping your daily workout, you have a lesser supply of oxygen to the brain, which in turn, disturbs the release of chemicals that lifts your mood up. Moreover, psychologically, you feel guilty for not hitting the gym, losing strength and shape.

When you fall off the workout wagon your body and mind come in a distressed state. Now that you are aware of the critical situations your no-workout-time can cause you, choose to be on the safer side by dumping all that is hindering your workout. It becomes a little tough when you plan a comeback, but why not when the pain is worth rejoicing? If you have had similar experiences, do share with us  in the comments section below. Till then, stay fit, stay healthy!