If you've ever been a gym rat, you've probably heard the age old advice that a recovery week or two is good in moderation, but it only takes half the time to lose progress as it does to make it. Staying in shape is a "constant effort". I thought this was horse ****, so I decided to take what I call a recovery summer and semester. I had gone to the gym for hours at a time every day during my senior year in high school and freshmen year in college, so I figured my gains (ya got gainz, bruh?) would still be intact if I took a few months off.
Turns out I'm an idiot. You should take that age old advice seriously.
The first thing I noticed that disappeared was my endurance. Sets of twelve used to my staple diet, now they seem like a marathon my body is not equipped to handle. Seven or eight months ago, ten exercises of twelve reps was music to my ears, a promised land of good times. Now I can't imagine going over five exercises, and those deep gulps of air characteristic of drowning men sneak their way into my breathing sooner than I would like.
The next thing I noticed was my actual strength level had dropped. Not just a little bit, I mean it DROPPED. Eight months ago? 70 pounds on each side for bench? Easy. Two days ago? 40 pounds on each side? Sweet baby Jesus put me out of my misery and take me to the Golden Gates already. Every single one of my lifts has gone down--although my legs less so than the others- and even on the ones where I can still lift what I was Freshman year- It's only for a rep or two.
The last thing I've realized, and this is perhaps the only one that truly bothers me, is my confidence has gone down and not only in the weight room. Dragging myself to the gym now requires more willpower and determination than it did when I was in the full swing of things, and once there I'm less likely to test my limits. I can feel self-doubt mutter its annoying voice in my head, something that diminishes with time in the gym.
Why am I saying all this? To serve as an example for all those losing interest or drive to keep on the workout grind. I know the stereotypes associated with working out, and let me tell you none of them are as bad as not working out. I don't care what your lifestyle is like outside the gym, working out is proven to boost your mental and physical health, things that carry over to the rest of your life. Got a demanding job that saps your energy? Go to the gym. Are you an anti-social druggie? Go to the gym. Is everything in your life going well and you have desire to improve your shape? Go to the gym. It's not about bigger muscles and more efficient lungs, it's about the confidence and sheer grit learned while working out. You don't have to spend hours in the gym doing 40 different exercises and buy the most expensive supplement stack on the market, just go to the gym.
I'm telling you as a first hand witness--the rest of your life might be going swimmingly, or if it might be falling apart, but I can guarantee you working out will help it whether you notice it or not. When you've squatted over 300 lbs routinely, suddenly that 4 page essay doesn't seem that bad. When you've biked for miles at a constant 18 mph, suddenly your job shift doesn't seem too long. When you have felt actual physical pain as a result of your effort, the mental strain of completing life's other tasks is put in perspective and made easier. Take it from me, the gym is your friend.
One that bullies, makes fun of and hurts you, but it's your friend nonetheless.
