What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Exercising?

LAST UPDATED: July 14th, 2022

In most of my articles, you can read about the benefits of exercising.

They are numerous, definitely.

But today I will show to you what happens to your body when you stop exercising.

Some days or weeks you just don’t feel like exercising, it happens to all of us.

If you don’t feel motivated or you don’t know how to start exercising again read about the consequences of not exercising. (1)

This will help you get motivated and hit the gym again.

You can read how to find the motivation to exercise here.

8 things that happen to your body when you stop exercising

1. Your muscle mass drops

If you skip working out a couple of times, your muscle mass will drop, some muscles will change shape and your muscle fiber will get tired more easily.

Maintaining muscle mass is very important, especially as you get older.

2. The insulin level in your blood increases

After a week of not exercising, some gym goers experience insulin sensitivity and because of that their body needs to produce more insulin.

When big amounts of insulin circle around and don’t get used they can cause certain inflammations and damage to your body.

A frequent insulin increase can increase the risk of heart diseases, obesity, and diabetes.

3. Your body mass increases

It goes without saying that your metabolism slows down if you stop exercising.

When your muscle mass starts dropping, your body’s ability to burn fat decreases, and your body stores more fat.

Maintaining muscle mass with light exercise helps your body to burn fat.

4. Your stress level is higher

When you exercise regularly you protect yourself from everyday stress.

If you give up exercising your body is less efficient at fighting stress and you feel anxious and nervous.

5. Your blood pressure rises

Yes, your blood pressure is higher when you don’t exercise than when you exercise.

6. Your libido is lower

Not only sleep will get worse, but also your sex life.

When you exercise regularly your libido increases, and when you stop exercising your sex drive lowers.

You can read how to boost your libido naturally here.

7. Your focus is worse

Working out boosts the growth of new brain cells.

When you don’t work out your memory and focus get worse.

If you don’t exercise for a week or two the number of grey cells significantly drops.

8. You are at higher risk of depression

It’s proven that exercising affects your mood positively; it helps treat depression because it lifts the level of endorphins.

If you stop exercising, the level of these good chemicals drops.

So, what’s the bottom line?

The best tip is to exercise regularly.

If you feel like skipping the gym sometimes, go to the park or do some other activity.

It’s important to stay active and after a while physical activity will become an important part of your day.