Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

Just wondering what everyone's experiences were if you took a long break from working out and then returned.

Before I got pregnant I did classes, lifted weights, cardio, and lots of HIIT (my favorite). Although I had a relatively easy pregnancy, I never maintained that level of fitness. Throughout my pregnancy I have been walking for exercise.

I haven't really had a full, hardcore workout since March. I plan on getting back to the gym and looking into doing the Insanity DVDs once I'm cleared by my doctor. In the end, it would be about a 10 month break from the level of exercise I used to do.

I'm just wondering how difficult it was for you to return if you took a long break from working out. Obviously my level of fitness won't be the same, but am I completely starting from scratch again?

I gained more than I would've liked to and can't wait to get back to my workout routine!!

Re: Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

I did -

I had a stress fracture and torn cartilage in my hip - I went on crutches January 2011, had surgery in May 2011 - after recovery and physical therapy I was cleared to exercise in September 2011. I had to ease back into exercise slowly because of my injury - I think if you listen to your body you should be fine! I found my endurance came back more quickly than when I was starting my exercise journey for the first time! I was able to run a half marathon in March 2012.

I would advise you to be patient with yourself - it was so hard not to go full out right away. It will come back to you!

Re: Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

I did when I was pregnant with my twins. I was on bedrest for alot of my pregnancy so I was very deconditioned and weak following my c section but you will get there.

I wouldn't have been able to do insanity right when I was cleared though. After taking my first 3 mile walk pushing the stroller I was sore.

I started with some easier dvds (ie taebo) and got into it slowly (mostly because I felt like I had no time). Then I started running with the double jogger etc. and started back at the gym. I ran a half marathon when they were 16 months old.

You will get there!!

Re: Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

Not me....but a friend at work had to take a long break from working out because of her difficult pregnancy. Before she got pregnant, she worked out every day....she's training to be an Olympic race-walker and her husband is also her coach...so she was training constantly. She has terrible pregnancies...horrible...terrible morning sickness, kidney stones, she's a mess. She was on maternity leave for her entire pregnancy last time she was pregnant because she simply could not function. So, her workouts were not nearly as frequent as they usually were....if she even got the chance to work out at all.
She had her son in April, and she just ran her first race again yesterday, and she is back to her pre-pregnancy body.

If your body is used to being a certain way....it can get back there again. No need to worry!

Re: Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

With my first pregnancy I was scared to run, so I only walked the whole time. When I got cleared to run at 6 weeks after birth, I was able to run a 5k without stopping, although not at the speed I was used to. It took me a few months to build up speed/mileage. So for me, it was definitely not like starting from scratch. Honestly, the hardest part in the beginning was just finding a good time to work out (I was nursing, so I could really only run right after nursing or pumping when my boobs were empty). I am pregnant again and due this weekend, so I hope I am up an running in about 6 weeks!

Re: Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

You'll be fine. I continued to exercise throughout my pregnancy, but I definitely had to take it much easier than my usual workouts. I was put on pelivic rest for 2 months and when I did return, I felt like I never left. It just comes back to you. Somehow your body just knows. If you were already at a certain point in your fitness level, you can definitely get back there. I strongly believe muscle memory exists. There would be no way my muscle would return to it's previous state if it didn't and it didn't take as much effort as when trying to tone up initially. It was much easier to get that way the second time around, because my body had once been there. I promise you, You will be ok. I had the same fears and yet I think I came back stonger after pregnancy!!! I'm in better shape now than I ever was!

Definitely take it easier when you first return. Once I was cleared for exercise I started immediately. I had to start out slow of course, but after a few weeks, I was running again! You'll be ok. More than ok actually because you were in great shape before pregnancy.

And don't worry about the weiight. It will and does come off!!! I promise. I hated the weight gain during pregnancy and I know how hard it is, but that weight comes off!!!!! As soon as I started exercising too, the pounds flew off. Your active and you have nothing to worry about!!!!!

Re: Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

Yes, me... pregnancy! I walked and did yoga during pregnancy but during the twins I barely did anything. 7 weeks post c-section I was running and 8 weeks after that I was racing again. It takes some people longer bc of lack of sleep, lack of time, breastfeeding, etc... but I was determined and made sure I got back into exercising bc a turkey trot was my goal. I knew once winter came races would be sparse. You'll get your fitness back, especially knowing how dedicated you are, you definitely will.

Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

Thanks everyone for the responses! I feel a lot better about getting back to working out.

Re: Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

Re: Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

Re: Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

Re: Has anyone taken an extended break from working out?

I am from running right now. I am weight training but my schedule is interfering with my runs. Can't wait to get back!!!