It's been a year or two...did I lose all that muscle?

secondwind · 06-15-2009, 11:35 AM

For a little over year I've been plagued with injury, illness, and a new puppy :0 This combo, including work and few other lame excuses has kept me out of the gym. Sad indeed, but I'm ready to get back on track and with a vengeance!!! Looking back on my glory days, I used to train 5-6 days a week and hard. I'm wondering if what my biology teacher taught me 10+ years ago is true...does muscle have a 3 month memory in terms of retaining strength and mass? Am I starting from square one, or should I expect to get my groove back quicker then if I had never worked out before? I've gained 50 lbs of fat...eeek. When I flex in the mirror (don't laugh) I can see my old lines er where I used to be "cut" as people here make reference. This gives me a little hope. What do you think?

eglionz · 06-15-2009, 03:22 PM

It will come back fast, just make sure your nutritional needs are met.

I quit lifting for about 9 months during the school year and after about 1 1/2 months I'm already stronger than I was when I quit.

I had been lifting for like 6 months when I stopped, if that gives you any idea how quickly it came back (and then some).

SC1 · 06-15-2009, 06:33 PM

I was in the exact same boat recently. After years of consistent and hard training, I did absolutely nothing for well over a year. Personally, it was a mixed bag for me: I was really disapointed by how weak I was, but very pleased by how quick I was able to build my strength back up.

Most people I've met who have taken a prolonged break has found it easier to build the second time around. Even if your strength is greatly diminished, as long as your prior training period was substantial and consistent, your muscles will retain a fair amount of muscle memory.

Hope that makes you feel better. Good luck with the comeback!

KyleAaron · 06-15-2009, 07:42 PM

I don't know about "muscle memory", but it's mentally and emotionally easier the second... or third... or, um, fourth time around. A lot of the struggle is the daily effort, seeing small results, getting frustrated. If you've done it before then you know you can do it again, makes it easier to get through a tough workout or diet.

ozfiz · 06-16-2009, 08:43 AM

I took November - April off after lifting consistently and hard for 10 months or so. Although my focus is now cutting the fat I gained on my time off - my strength has come back very quickly and is where I left off and in a few lifts even stronger!

It will definitely come together much quicker than the first time - I think a mix of muscle memory and knowing the consistency/dedication/routine of how to get it done!

08vistabluegt · 06-16-2009, 08:49 AM

Muscle memory. It will come back very quick.

secondwind · 06-16-2009, 09:32 AM

Good to hear from people who have experienced the same thing. Very encouraging, and much appreciated. Reps for all! So I headed back into the gym this morning after my long hyatis. It felt good, but boy, was I overwhelmed. Even though I had previously trained for 10 years consistently I know it's going to take awhile to figure out a progressive routine and as some of you advised, I'm going to focus on nutrition as priority #1. I wish I could remember my split

Makes me appreciate how much work I used to commit to myself. So the moral of the story is never let yourself go, and journal everything.

08vistabluegt · 06-16-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondwind

Good to hear from people who have experienced the same thing. Very encouraging, and much appreciated. Reps for all! So I headed back into the gym this morning after my long hyatis, it felt good but boy was I overwhelmed. It's going to take awhile to figure out a progressive routine and I'm going to focus on nutrition as priority #1. I wish I could remember my split

Makes me appreciate how much work I used to commit to myself. So the moral of the story is never let yourself go, and journal everything.

That is a pretty good moral to stick by, however sometimes we cannot help it. I was obligated to stop training for a year due to two herniated discs in my back from football. It was very difficult to watch my body atrophy while knowing there was nothing I could do about it.

But like stated, it's always easier to come back to where you once were as opposed to someone who has never been there.

Deborah_Lyn · 06-16-2009, 09:52 AM

I took 10 years off. I was busy bulking, hehee. I'm almost where I used to be but for my waist/hips. You can do anything you put your mind to! good luck~

ArnoldTheGov · 06-16-2009, 11:32 AM

Yea your muscle have memory and they will come back rather easily, at least easier than the forst time.