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Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine

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Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine

Taking regular breaks from intense training, like deload weeks, helps your body recover, preventing fatigue and injury, and ultimately boosts fitness gains.

When it comes to getting fit, the idea of spending hours at the gym might come to mind, but many fitness experts argue that taking a “deload week” every six to eight weeks is actually key to improving your fitness gains. A deload week involves reducing the intensity of workouts to allow the body to recover from the fatigue and muscle damage caused by intense training.

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While high-intensity training helps build strength and fitness, it can also lead to muscle strain, and without adequate recovery, these gains can’t fully materialise. Deload weeks give the body much-needed rest to repair and rebuild, ensuring continued progress. (Also read: Bhagyashree swears by this super easy exercise for instant leg pain relief and better mobility. Watch how to do it )

Why recovery is key for muscle growth

According to an article by The Conversation, intense exercise can cause tiny tears in muscle fibres, leading to inflammation that requires rest or low-intensity exercise to heal. This inflammation is essential for muscle growth and fitness improvements. However, without proper recovery, muscles remain in a state of slight damage.

preventing inflammation from resolving. This chronic state of inflammation can hinder muscle function, reducing oxygen efficiency and impairing performance. Giving muscles time to recover through rest ensures they repair properly and are primed for continued progress, setting us up for greater success in our fitness journey.

Many gymgoers fear taking time off and are worried it will lead to a loss of gains. However, research shows that muscle genes have a “memory imprint,” which keeps them in a semi-prepared state. This allows muscles to Fitness influencers respond more quickly and effectively to future training.

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promoting growth after a rest period. Even after extended periods of reduced intensity, up to seven weeks, muscular fitness can be restored to prime condition—and in some cases, surpass previous levels. Interestingly, recovery can occur twice as fast as it took to reach peak fitness initially, even if some strength is lost.

Taking time off from intense training is crucial to prevent muscle soreness and avoid overtraining syndrome. Overtraining occurs when the body doesn’t get enough rest, leading to prolonged fatigue, decreased performance, and mood disturbances. Symptoms develop gradually, making overtraining difficult to recognize until it’s severe. Rest is essential to avoid these issues and ensure long-term progress in training.

Role of overtraining syndrome and deload weeks

Overtraining syndrome is challenging to quantify due to its vague symptoms. Studies suggest it may affect as few as 10% of elite athletes, though rates could climb to 60% among highly competitive individuals.

Recovery is essential for both fitness and overall health. When engaging in heavy gym routines, it’s vital to incorporate sufficient recovery time into your workout plan. Unlike rest days, which involve little to no exercise once or twice a week, deload weeks feature lighter training at reduced intensity—typically about 50% fewer workouts or a 20% drop in workout intensity.

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Both rest days and deload weeks are essential for recovery and crucial to improving fitness. It’s not about choosing one over the other—they complement each other. For instance, intense training for marathons, Ironman, or CrossFit competitions requires weekly rest days alongside scheduled deload weeks. However, for recreational gym-goers exercising 1–3 times weekly at a moderate intensity, the recovery from this routine is often sufficient without the need for additional deload weeks.

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Excess belly fat is your 40s? Study explains why it happens

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Excess belly fat is your 40s? Study explains why it happens

A study led by City of Hope Medical Center and UCLA has found that a certain type of fat cell in the middle age is responsible for fat accumulation in the belly area. This development challenges the conventional notion about middle-age weight gain. The study, which was conducted in India, revealed that a new type of fat cell is responsible for fat accumulation.

The belly area. The findings suggest that the mid-life belly may not be due to diet or the absence of regular workout, but rather a new type of fat cell that develops in middle age. The study also highlighted the Festival of Crickit Quiz and photos from the century of leadership. The study also highlighted the upcoming release of Rajamouli Prabhas’ Baahubali theatres.

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A study by researchers from the City of Hope Medical Center and UCLA found that the human body starts rapidly making fat around their 40s, in the deep belly area. The researchers tracked fat formation in mice of different ages, finding that mice of 12 months (equivalent to 40 years in humans) demonstrated sudden fat formation in the belly area. They also observed similar.

Patterns in mice that are observed in humans in middle age – expanded waistlines, reduced energy expenditure, and insulin resistance. These changes indicate metabolic differences that can increase the risk of diabetes and heart diseases. The researchers identified a new fat cell precursor called “CP-A” (committed preadipocyte, age-enriched), which appeared middle age.

Rapidly developed into mature fat cells. They also examined the fat tissue of humans and observed the same CP-A cells in middle-aged humans. The research team from City of Hope Medical Center and UCLA concluded that despite the low turnover rate of adipocytes in young adults, adipogenesis is unlocked during middle age, explaining why the human body starts.

Why Belly Fat Increases in Your 40s

  1. Slower Metabolism: As you age, your body’s metabolism tends to slow down. This means you burn fewer calories at rest, making it easier to gain weight if dietary habits and physical activity levels remain unchanged. This slowdown can lead to a gradual increase in body fat over time. ​
  2. Hormonal Changes: In women, the transition to menopause brings a decrease in estrogen levels, which can lead to fat being redistributed to the abdominal area. In men, a decline in testosterone levels can result in increased fat accumulation around the belly. ​
  3. Loss of Muscle Mass: Aging is associated with a gradual loss of muscle mass, known as sarcopenia. Since muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue, a decrease in muscle mass can lead to a slower metabolism and increased fat accumulation. ​
  4. Lifestyle Factors: Sedentary behavior, poor dietary choices, high stress levels, and inadequate sleep can contribute to weight gain and the accumulation of belly fat. These factors can disrupt hormonal balance and increase cravings for unhealthy foods

Health Implications

Excess abdominal fat, particularly visceral fat that surrounds internal organs, is associated AS with an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. ​

  • Regular Exercise: Engage in a combination of aerobic exercises (like walking, cycling, or swimming) and strength training to build muscle mass and boost metabolism.​
  • Balanced Diet: Focus on a diet rich in whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Limit intake of processed foods, sugary beverages, and excessive alcohol.​

By understanding the factors contributing to belly fat in your 40s and adopting a proactive approach, you can manage your weight and maintain overall health Rapidly making fat.

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