THESE EXCUSES ARE JUST TOO GOOD....

Workout rest days...I know this is the post you've been waiting for, but don't get too excited. This is not an all out pass to dump your routine. So, let's discuss legitimate reasons for skipping your workouts.

You're Too Sick...

You've seen the gym heathens. They saunter around the gym coughing, clearing their throats, and sniffling. They're touching all the dumbbells, and machines, making sure to disseminate their bio-terrorism to the masses. Sanitizing gym equipment is a best practice, but let's be honest it doesn't happen as often as it should in order to protect you from colds and flu. It's no wonder that the gym is one of the best places to spread some inconvenient illnesses.

A workout is stressful to your body in the short term and temporarily ravages your immune system. Working out while sick can hinder your performance, worsen your illness and hinder your body's repair process that drives muscle growth and retention. Also, it's pretty inconsiderate to other gym goers. You might be better off just staying home.

You're Too Tired...

I'm not referring to a lack of motivation or the typical post-workday fatigue here. I'm referring to if you've pushed your body past the point of typical fatigue. It's quite easy to overextend yourself once you're in the groove of your fitness routine because taking a rest day can feel like regression. There's the underlying fear that if you take a day off, you're going to fall off the wagon and spiral out of control. Let me assure you that if you've developed the right habits, and are getting in shape for the right reasons your chances of that happening are much lower.

Calm your fears and understand that recuperation is necessary, not optional. Not only do your muscles need time to recuperate but so does your immune system. If you fail to take rest days, you will likely burn out or even worse develop injuries. Which leads me to the next point.....

You're Too Sore...

First things first, soreness does not indicate whether you've had a beneficial workout or not. That's a myth. Anytime you work your muscles in excess of your norm or in a different way, you may trigger DOMS and feel sore for up to 72 hours afterward. It's that simple. However, if you're feeling sore after that 72-hour mark it may indicate something more like an injury. If you're feeling debilitating soreness for several days in a row, please listen to your body, skip your workout, and call your physician. Feeling too sore for too long could be your body's way of telling you to take some time off. If you and your body are on good speaking terms, then it will tell you what it needs and when it needs it.

You just have to listen.