Missing one or two workouts may not significantly affect your body. However, when you stop working out for two weeks or longer, it can lead to a range of negative impacts on your physical and mental health.

The Impact of Inactivity on Your Body

The human body undergoes several changes when it’s inactive for an extended period. Here are a few things that happen to your body once you stop exercising:.

1. Your Muscles Start to Weaken

Once you stop engaging your muscles through exercise or any physical activity, your muscles start to weaken. It happens because the body is no longer stimulating the muscles that were once used frequently.

Blood flow to the muscles also decreases, leading to muscle atrophy or ‘muscle breakdown’. It may lead to a lack of flexibility and strength, making it harder to engage in physical workouts as previously accomplished.

2. Your Cardiovascular System Slows Down

The heart is a muscle, and just like other muscles, it needs exercise to stay healthy. Regular exercise maintains a stable heart rate and keeps blood flow through the vessels at a healthy pace.

However, when you stop exercising, your heart rate slows down, and the blood vessels narrow. Ultimately, it results in decreased blood flow, leading to cardiovascular issues, including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and even heart diseases.

3. Your Metabolism Affects Your Weight

Physical activity engages the body’s metabolism to burn calories. Once you stop working out, your metabolism slows down, making it harder to burn calories you consume each day.

It leads to weight gain, as the body burns fewer calories than taken in, which can ultimately result in obesity or other metabolic disorders.

4. Your Bone Density Decreases

Exercising isn’t only beneficial for muscles but also for your bones. It helps to keep them healthy and strong.

However, when you stop exercising, the bone density decreases, making you susceptible to injuries, fractures, or even osteoporosis (a bone-thinning disease).

5. Your Mental Health is Affected

People who work out regularly have better mental health than those who don’t. Physical exercise helps to release endorphins in the brain that elevates mood and reduces stress.

However, when you abruptly stop working out, the endorphin levels decrease, leading to negative emotional changes, including stress, depression, and anxiety.

How to Start Working Out Again after a Break

It takes a lot of time to develop a workout routine, but it can all go to waste if you abruptly stop exercising. If you’re thinking of starting a physical workout routine again after a long hiatus, here are some tips:.

1. Start Slow

Don’t try to pick up from where you stopped. You need to start slow, taking breaks in between, and gradually increasing the intensity of the exercise.

2. Mix things up

Boredom is the most common reason people stop exercising. Mix up routines to avoid monotony, making exercising more fun and enjoyable.

3. Get a Workout Buddy

Social support is a crucial factor in maintaining a workout routine. Find a workout buddy, and you’ll be more motivated to stick to that routine.

4. Set Achievable Goals

Setting achievable goals reduces the chances of disappointment and helps to motivate you to continue the workout routine. Start with short-term goals, and when you achieve them, you can move on to long-term goals.

Conclusion

Stopping an exercise routine can cause various negative impacts on your physical and mental health. It’s essential to stick to a workout routine and get back on track after taking breaks, no matter what the reason is.

By sticking to achievable goals, mixing up the routines, and having social support, you can maintain your workout routine and give your body the care it deserves.