When to not work out?

[RuggedCyclist]

So I normally spend an hour or two in the gym like three times a week after work.

Today I'm having trouble deciding because I feel like shit because for food today I had a good breakfast, then a heaping serving of pure stress for lunch (and some water), then the only thing I could easily get in me for dinner was a gluten filled toxic carb bomb.

Part of me wants to work out and burn off the stress of the day and the crap feeling of the gluten, but part of me wants to curl up in bed and sleep for the next 11 hours.

I don't really *need* to work out in terms of weight/muscle and I have a physical job so it's not a huge deal.

What would you guys do?

[Cedar]

I have found over the years if my body is really saying I need sleep, I sleep if I can. Or work out for 15-20 minutes, curl up with a good Tabbouleh salad and a movie to fall asleep to.

Cedar

[RuggedCyclist]

I just went for a run. There's drizzly misty rain here right now so it was perfect. Misty rain crap is like an elixir of life to me.  I feel much better now.

[Marinesg1012]

Rest days are important, sometimes you need to just not go to the gym. Of course that can also lead to never going to the gym.

However if it is stress I have found the best way to get rid of it is by going to the gym, but I normally feel like I need to go to the gym to work that stress out.

[Carl]

I watch a good exercise video and I always feel better because even walking is difficult these days.

[TiredOldGrunt]

Being the devil's advocate on this one, I think your making excuses and if you keep doing that you will eventually drop your routine.

Buck up and work out...
(with love) TOG

[RitaRose1945]

Misty rain crap is like an elixir of life to me.

I'm the same way.  If it's raining, I'm looking for excuses to get outside.

If it's sunny... meh.

That's why I can't stand where I live now, though monsoons help a tiny bit.

[RuggedCyclist]

I'm the same way.  If it's raining, I'm looking for excuses to get outside.

If it's sunny... meh.

That's why I can't stand where I live now, though monsoons help a tiny bit.

I relate to that so much. I realized that over the last winter, water is like my element, and I live where cacti live. Not a sustainable place for long term happiness.

[surfivor]

 I think you need adequate rest as well as exercise. I sometimes go to bed early then I get up and do a midnight walk around the neighborhood. I like walking more than running. I like riding a bike, but I would not ride a bike late at night.

[surfivor]

 I feel it is important to make exercising a priority. If I have things planned for the weekend, I try to have something that involves exercise on the list and it's a high priority; that means I may want to get it done first thing in the morning etc. It is like my main activity for the day. I also may try to exercise twice in a day or more, though the second time may be a minor type thing or it could be a bigger workout on Saturday and a shorter one on Sunday .. just as long as it's back to back more than one thing. If I go on a 2 hour hike in the morning, I will still do a 20 minute walk in the evening or a short bike ride. I try to vary where I ride or hike so it does not get too monotonous.

 I do some things seasonally and I have to make that a priority. I may go to the martial arts studio more in the winter. The best surfing is spring/fall .. I try to do a good amount of serious long bike rides in hilly areas in the warmer part of the year as when the winter comes it can be harder to get motivated. 

 I identify where I need to cut back such as too much time online, etc ..