You determine what I should do here....

Okay, I need some serious input here before I decide if my gym clothes come with me on my business trip or stay home to force a break:

I don't think I am necessarily plateauing, because I think the inches are still coming off. But the weight has been pretty much the same with a slight drop in the past month. But, I should point out that I have exercised for 7 months at 5 days (for all but one week during that time) and have lost around 65lbs. So never really took a break off more than 2/3 days in a row.

I had taken off my 2 days this week and even so, today's workout was just too hard. Not usually like that for me. I can do 800 calorie burn (I know thats not accurate, but its the aim) in one hour....today I could only do 50min and kill 537calories.

I am going to Tampa for work tomorrow and am considering not taking my gym clothes, because I think my body is crying out for a break. I am just tired. My muscles hurt, too.

So if it were you, would you......

a) take the whole week off, and return to Body Pump Saturday morning? Will that jump start me to a better weight loss trend again?

b)bring the gym clothes and plan on doing the treadmill only 3x?

I am leaving my suitcase open and waiting to be sealed with either gym clothes/sneakers inside or out. You make the determination!

BRING THE GYM CLOTHES!!!

Treat yourself to a massage and hit the treadmill 3x's.  Go for leisure walks.  Maybe take a yoga class.  Sit in the hot tub. Go for a swim.

But don't veg out all week.  It might take a lot more effort to get back into "mode".

Bring the gym clothes... You don't want to get your self out a great routine... I would take the advice about treating yourself for a massage and maybe doing it a little lighter... but a week off can turn into 2 then 3... Once you break the habit it will be easy to slip again.

You are doing AWESOME! Keep up the good work!

Well thats what I am afraid of more than anything....losing the momentum and not going back.

I guess my question came from hearing a while back that its a good idea to kick start your body every once in a while by taking a break. With the way my muscles feel (maybe I am coming down with something too, I feel really tired) I am wondering if I am not giving them a chance to recover so they aren't doing what I want them to.

I have to agree. It's hard to break habits. Like overeating, or eating the wrong foods, or NOT working out. It's so hard to say, "I'm not really hungry, I just want to eat because I am bored, depressed, etc, so I am not going to eat right now". It's so hard to say "I don't want to exercise, but I need to, so I am just going to push myself and do it". It's so easy to just say, It's OK to eat this, this one time, or It's OK to not work out, just for today, I need a break. But then when it's all said and done and you know you have to get back into the healthy habits you worked so hard to develop you just don't want to. I'm having a hard time today because it was my daughters birthday yesterday, So I had pizza, and I had cake, then I had potato chips and more cake and more pizza and I just ate SO BAD yesterday because I just thought, it's a special occasion, it's OK just this one day.....I'm suffering for it today. Just from that ONE day of having a diet "break" today I feel hungry when I know I'm really not, and that was my worst bad habit I had that took me weeks to break, it only took one day of weakness for my body to want to go right back to my old habits of overeating. It's a lot harder to break a bad habit then it is to develop a good one!! Be proud of yourself for doing so well and developing such a great habit and great routine and keep it up!

take them with you its better to have them and maybe not use them than not have them and regret it. you dont HAVE to work out but if you want to then you can

Maybe instead of going to a boring gym go on a sightseeing walk.  Since you are going out of town enjoy the opportunity to see and do something different.  Also by doing something different it could also bump you off the plateau.  Also if your body is saying its tired of working out in a gym and wants a rest -- this walking sightseeing tour could be relaxing. 

It's generally recommended that every 8-12 weeks of working weights or intense cardio, you take a week off to deload and give your body a break.

 This destresses your system, lets your body fix any pending micro-injuries(persistent aches and pains), and in general gets you primed to work much harder once you get back into the gym.

This week is supposed to be done as active rest, where you go do something slightly physical that doesn't resemble your normal schedule. So only bring your gym clothes if you can use them while doing something you normally wouldn't - like swimming, Olympic weight lifting, or something else you haven't done before.

 Outdoor versions of what you'd normally do in the gym aren't "allowed" either, so running or biking is out of the question if that's what you do on the gym machines. So only bring the clothes if you can do a workout with a different impact in them.

Well I did pack the gym clothes. :) Suitcase is sealed and done.
Unfortunately, I will be in classes all week. No time for sight seeing. But that would be a great idea.

Melkor, that information you posted is very helpful! I do the Elyptical Cross trainer and Arc Trainer most of the time with occasional walking on the treadmill. I also do Body Pump 2x a week.

I am really achy today so I obviously have overworked my body. If I walk the treadmill 2 or 3x this week will that be good or bad based  on how I feel now?

Walking is generally low impact enough that it shouldn't be a problem - at least I hope it isn't, otherwise I'm in big trouble myself :)

So that sounds about right - getting in some time in the hot tub and a massage would also do you good when it comes to letting your body work on repairs :)

They do have a hot tub-that I should plan on ;)
Too bad I will have to wear my gym clothes though. No bathing suit.

I don't think I can get a massage, though :)

I agree - take them with you and do 3x...I took a break on March 16th....and my break just ended today!!!!  Yikes!  Anyhow, you are doing awesome!  Keep up the good work.  I am back in the saddle now. :O)

Take the gym clothes and do your walk/jog on the beach.

It is good to change up the routine occasionally and how often do you get to jog on the beach?!

Oh I wish i could jog on the beach! No time though :(
I also figured out why I am so worn out. I feel lousy today and have been traveling 7 hours. So I may just take a few days off and kick back when I feel better. At least I have the clothes with me so i can go when up to it :)
Thanks everyone!

i will go against the crowd and say leave them. or don't do any workouts. just be active. my $0.02.

I agree with missreporter I am just returning from a week off, and I have so much more energy! (and, I think I lost weight too, although I am currently in a fight with my scale and not using it).