If I take off from working out, will I lose muscle?

[inmqz]

How long can you stop working out for without losing muscle? I've seen mixed comments on this, so what is the real consensus or answer?

Also, more specifically, can I go skiing for two weeks (I will ski a number of those days) and not workout, without losing muscle? I only workout twice a week. I know that is small, but I have definitely seen changes in toning and a bit in mass of my muscles. Will skiing be enough of a physical activity for the two weeks to prevent any muscle loss? Or am I going to lose it no matter what over those two weeks if I don't workout?

[JamesTrick]

Based off an article on the Supersite:

Younger adults could reduce their training to one-third of their previous volume for 32 weeks and not only maintain their previous muscle mass and strength, but continue to realize a significant increase in muscle hypertrophy.

A weekly training volume of just one-ninth of the former training program still allowed young adults to maintain prior muscle mass and strength. Older adults, however, were only able to retain strength; they realized significant muscle mass losses in response to detraining.

However, an individual's muscle loss could depend on the following factors:

- Protein intake and diet in general
- Metabolism
- Activity Level

If you lose muscle and go back to training, then you can expect to gain muscle back a lot faster than you originally gained it. This is called Muscle Memory.
Hope this helps.

[jedi-dude]

A 2 week break will not be too bad as long as you keep the protein intake high. Obviously you will be skiing and burning a fair few calories so it might be a bit different to what you may experience if you say went for a 2 week beach holiday with no activity.

Also, when did you last take a break from working out? It can be advantageous to take a 2 week break from lifting if you have not done so in a long time (6 months +)

I agree with the poster abov re: muscle memory. I went on a 3 month backpacking trip in Asia over the summer. I lost 2 stone. Some fat and a whole lot of muscle. I was down to a weight I was at 2 years before my holiday. It has taken me <3 months to get it all back.

Go skiing, enjoy it and just get back to work in the gym when you gt back!

Have a good holiday!