Sup blades. So I've been super busy with work and I haven't been able to get to the gym for the past two weeks, but I haven't yet noticed any loss of muscle. My question is, how long can one typically be absent from the gym before starting to lose muscle? My job is relatively sedentary (at the moment), so I just haven't been moving all that much. I do plan on getting back to the gym as soon as possible, but I'm averaging about 55-60 hours at the moment and it's impossible to find the time.
You shouldn't notice too much muscle loss until about 3-4 weeks. If you are not eating well, maybe sooner. I would try to focus on eating well and staying hydrated while you are busy. If you cant get to the gym, try to mix in stretching, push ups, squats, pull ups, etc. Even doing 2-3 10 minute mini workouts a day can help maintain fitness. Good Luck!
A few weeks out of the gym should not cause you any muscle loss..... unless..... You need to make sure your diet is good. If you are not getting enough calories and specifically enough protein, then you could start to see some muscle loss. Assuming you are eating around maintenance (enough calories to maintain your weight but not gain or lose any significant amount) then you should be fine. I would recommend maybe doing a few sets of push-ups, pull ups, crunches, sissy squats, or any other body weight exercises you can whenever you get the chance. It only takes a few minutes and it will tell your muscles "hey, we still need you! don't go anywhere!"
Haha thanks, but I'm not that foregone yet. I managed to make it into the gym Monday, Wednesday, and yesterday. Averaged about 2 hours each day. My diet is getting a little sloppy, I will admit (unless nachos and Ben & Jerry's constitutes an effective diet plan). I'm going back to my regular schedule starting monday, so I should be able to get back on my gym grind (4 to 5 days a week).