Sometimes a day off from your programme can be an extremely powerful motivator,' says Stuart Biddle. You have to do exercise because you want to, not because you feel you should. So if your body really is telling you it needs a day off, take it without guilt and get back into your programme on your next scheduled day. But don't slack off too often. The problem with exercise is if you don't keep it up, you lose gains pretty quickly both physically and mentally.
Exercise increases levels of brain chemicals called endorphins which improve mood and energy.
Keeping active maintains these levels and actually encourages you to exercise. However, if you stop working out for two or three days, endorphin levels drop, reducing mood and energy and making you less inclined to work out. What's more, if you miss three or four sessions you'll actually start to lose physical fitness making the routine harder the next time you go back. It's like taking exercise snack breaks. If you can't eat a big meal, at least have something to tide you over until you can.