working out while sore

So ask me to run 8 miles and its not a problem. I run and lift almost everyday. This past monday I took a new crossfit class at the gym. Yesterday I did the stairmaster then weights. I am really feeling that workout from monday today! It hurts my entire body. However, taking a day off from the gym is not an option during the week. Is it bad to workout still while this sore? I know, do light walking, etc but I dont want to. I want to continue to push myself. I just wanted to see what everyone thought when it came to pushing past the soreness and doing a jog (not a run) and then lighter weights on the areas that arent sore (which really is only my biceps today). Help!

Also, how can i get this to go away! Holy cow. I thought i was fit before but this cross fit class for 2.5 hours proved otherwise.

I have found out the hard way that exercising when you are in pain just delays healing. Give yourself another day off and see how you feel tomorrow.

Pushing myself to work out while sore and tired is the reason I have chronically recurring tendinitis in my left achilles (18+ years now) and a mass of permanent scar tissue around the muscles in my lower back (15+ years). And this was while being pushed by two different fitness professionals.

Do NOT mess around with this. When you're sore, rest.

The soreness is a sign that you need to go easy for one or two days. We build muscle by (intentionally) damaging our muscle tissue and then rebuilding it even stronger - give the muscles time to rebuild.

A walk is a good idea.

Can you swim on your recovery days? This is my favorite way to "recover" after a hard workout day. I still get a tremendous workout, but it seems to ease the pain.

Also, drink lots of water. This may be totally bunk, but the trainer where I teach told me water will help flush the lactic acid from sore muscles. I don't know if he's full of baloney or what, but it seems to work.

Didn't this bring back memories! I was injured in a yoga class after months of trying to do things the instructor's way, even though my body was objecting madly. I had been telling her, and she didn't believe me. I had a physical breakdown and basically was curled up on the floor, shaking, for about 10 minutes. I had to give up yoga entirely, and there are things I can no longer do.

Oh yes, I very much second the swimming as a recovery workout. But as others have said, it's important to have at least one day a week as an actual true 'rest day' (at least in my workout world...)

As far as getting the pain to go away, have you ever used a foam roller?? It can help a lot!

I keep reading about the foam roller and using episom (i dont know how to spell it) salt in the bath.. where can i get a foam roller??

anyone take potassium pills either? i take them everyday but dontk now if they help

I got my foam roller at Target. I don't have any experience with Potassium pills, but I know that when my body isn't getting enough potassium, I get cramps in my feet. (I know that doesn't help you at all, just a little random fact.)

thanks!

If you are just a little sore, then you can proceed with your normal exercise routine after you warm up and only if you feel well enough to do so. If you are really VERY SORE, light exercise can help loosen things up. But take it easy. The last thing you want to do is overtrain and injure yourself.