Rest is not a request

 Rest is not a request, it is a must. When your body is going through the pain of working out every you need to rest. A 24 hour period between strength workouts (bench press, squat with weight, and so on) is necessary. Your muscles are building in that time and recovering from the great stress you put on them. You can workout doing a cardio or light impact training every day so make sure you keep doing your yoga, Pilates, jogging, biking, or whatever else you do EVERY DAY.

Rest is also required for when you are sick. If you are sick, don't go work out. If anything go enjoy some sunshine. Maybe go for a walk if you are well enough. It will only make things worse if you over work yourself when you are sick. Just curl up on the couch with a warm blanket and a bowl of low sodium chicken noodle and wait a day or two. That one day will affect your weight loss but it will affect it in the long run when you can't put your all into the workout.

If you are injured, make sure to nurse it and rest it. Do not play on an injury. It will only prolong your recover or make it worse. Make sure to get a Dr. Okay before you play on any serious injury, including sprains, broken bones, or post surgeries.

When bettering your lifestyle you need to listen to your body. It knows what is going on (most of the time) and sometimes it is just screaming for you to stop and take a break. Don't be afraid to do it. Just remember, when you are better, get up and move. If you have a cold, rest one day and then get out of bed and walk around a bit. If you don't feel any better then make it another rest day. Continue the process until your body does not complain and go for a jog or continue with your routine.
(Here is a special hint on how long sicknesses last if you are properly taking care of yourself.)

• Sore from yesterdays workout: 0 minutes, 0 days, and 0 weeks. (aka, get up and move)
• Icky Days: 1 day
• Cold: 2 days 
• Flu: 1 week
• sprain: 1 week-2 weeks
• Muscle pull: 1-2 weeks
• Broken Bone: 3-6 weeks (depending on severity)

Again, check with Dr. to see when you can play with more serious injuries.