7 Awful Things That Happen To Your Body When You Take A Break From Working Out

It is never difficult to find reasons not to work out. Never. You're too tired, you're too busy, it is dark outside, you'll go tomorrow. It doesn't take long for the excuses to turn into weeks of missed workouts. While taking a pass on your workout from time to time isn't always a bad thing (rest days are a key part of muscle building), there needs to be a delicate balance. It doesn't take long for missed workouts to have a negative impact on your body and your health. Here are 7 less than wonderful things that happen to your body when you stop exercising:

1. You gain water weight

In just one week without exercising, your body begins to retain water. Your weight on the scale will not only go up a little, you will look and feel bloated.

2. You lose cardio endurance

It only takes two weeks for your cardio endurance to take a nosedive. This is because the number of mitochondria (which provide your muscles with fuel) decreases, which makes it more difficult to power through that treadmill workout.

3. You feel more tired

After a few weeks without exercise, your heart has to work harder to beat which means your lungs are not absorbing as much oxygen as they were before. This stress and lack of oxygen will make you feel lethargic and less energized.

4. You can't sleep

Regular exercise goes a long way to helping your body's natural circadian rhythms. So while you may feel more tired, your body will be out of sync. If you are having a difficult time falling asleep, it may be time to go back to the gym! [bctt tweet="7 Awful Things That Happen To Your Body When You Take A Break From Working Out"]

5. You get depressed

Exercise causes your body to release endorphins. These chemicals makes you feel good and reduce pain. Exercise is also a great way to boost your overall self-esteem which, of course, leads to a greater sense of happiness.

6. You burn fewer calories

When you are getting regular exercise, your body burns more calories -- even at rest. But, skipping your workouts for long periods of time slows down your metabolism and leads to fewer calories burned.

7. You get sick

When you are getting exercise, your body has more bacteria-fighting cells called macrophages and they are able to move through the body rapidly, creating a stronger immune system. Skipping exercise reduces these benefits, leaving you more susceptible to illness. What negative things have you noticed when you take a break from the gym? Source: Family Share [caption id="attachment_124047" align="alignnone" width="100"] @BodyRockOfficial[/caption] [caption id="attachment_124048" align="alignnone" width="100"] @BodyRockTV[/caption]