When you stop working out (even for just a week or two):
- Blood pressure increases (within a day, potentially!)
- You develop insulin resistance (body converts sugar into fat rather than using it as energy)
- Muscle size can shrink within a week (but not necessarily strength)
- VO2 max drops (ability to utilize oxygen well. “for every week you remain idle, it takes about three weeks to regain the lost adaptations” Yikes!)
- Grumipness takes over (“When you stop exercising, your body forgets how to handle stress. Because you’ve allowed your natural fight-or-flight response to atrophy, you’re less likely to experience something tough—whether an interval workout or a stressful workplace relationship—in a positive way. Instead, you get anxious.”)
The good news? They’re all pretty simple to reverse—or prevent entirely. Just keep moving! 😉
From <https://www.outsideonline.com/2175671/five-things-happen-your-body-when-you-quit-working-out>