I want to workout today, but I'm too sore...

Take a look at the quote above...

It's a little funny hah? 

So you woke up today and you really want to exercise, but you feel too sore. What should you do? Should you just take that day off, or maybe a couple of days off? Or do you tough it out and hit the gym again? 

With this question there are two possible answers...

A) If your body is really really exhausted, because you went so hard that you just feel "broken" so to speak. Then you need to take a break. Don't do anything that day. It is important for you to know that you build muscle not during the exercise, but while you recover. So recovery is really important. Now there are some things that you can do during the recover period to make sure it happens faster. 

1) Is the get a good amount of sleep. 

2) Is to eat the right foods. 

You need some protein like salmon, lean beef, chicken, turkey, or if you are a vegan maybe soy tofu or your preferred source of protein. And you also need carbs like fruit, veggies, maybe some brown rice or couscous, etc. And of course your vitamins and minerals and stuff. Basically, you need to eat healthy, balanced meals throughout that day and drink plenty of water. This will help refuel your body. If you have protein shakes or recovery formulas, they can help too. But of course you need to read the label and ask questions so that you know what you're putting into your body. Not all protein or recover shakes are made equal!

B) If you are sore, but have already taken sufficient time to rest, first make sure that you are not injured. I mean, there is a difference from being sore and being injured. Soreness will normally affect the muscles and maybe the joints, but is not so severe that you absolutely can't move or feel sharpe stabbing pain accompanied by swelling and bruising, etc. If you are injured, then absolutely do NOT exercise. Go to the doctor or go online and research what you need to do for that particular injury. Because exercising will only make it worst. 

But if you are not injured but are sore and have rested enough, then you should exercise. Maybe not as hard as you did that last time, but do some stretching, some walking or jogging or lift weights, but just stay light and comfortable. I do that a lot if I am sore or even just tired. I will lift, but I will go light weight with more reps and make sure to keep them controlled and maybe even slow down the lift. 

Always remember safety first. But also remember, no laziness, and no excuses.