Took summer off... wondering if size/strength will come back fast

[Mark350]

Over the summer i did Iron work (construction). I was working over 70 hours a week. During this time I didn't eat, or sleep properly and i never had the time to work out (partially due to the fact that there wasn't a gym around). Over the three months i was working i lost over twenty pounds, and i just started going back to the gym. As it turns out i've lost about 30% of my strenght (at least on major lifts). Just wondering if anybody had any experience with a situation like this, and if so how long it took you to get back to your prime? I've heard stories from magazines and stuff that people in similar situatuins as mine came back to the gym and blew by there old plateus in no time, kinda hoping that had some truth to it.

[rab91787]

Yea man at the end of my junior year I quit lifting for atleast 3 months. Your strength and size will come back and faster than you'd expect. Just keep at it. :

[CF-OC_gal]

You'll get it back a lot faster than you think. The nice thing about strength gains is that you never lose it all right back to square one like you do with long layoffs from cardio fitness.

[Zackoz]

Ive always wondered if I stopped the gym, would I lose 100% of the size and strength Ive put on due to weight lifting or would some just remain given I ate a standard amount of food a day...

[Maxgain]

I give it 5-6 weeks

[Todd]

If you have previously built your body up to a particular level, then you will be able to reach the level again a lot faster than it took you to do so initially. Don't sweat it, just be patient and be consistent with lifting, diet and rest. Good luck!

[smcqis]

ITS called muscle memory, ul get it back far quicker than someone just starting out

[DBZ Status]

I agree with everyone here on the muscle memory. Just dont try to overdo it last year i got mono and lost 25 pounds. I tried to stuff myself with food hoping i could just get it back but i started getting fat just dont overdo the diet at first

[ixoyc]

during highschool i had the summer off from lifting and i was weaker but it came back fast. also i was able to get stronger faster with that break. (maybe overtraining?)