THERESA: We talked yesterday about feeling stressed when we don't work out. Right now, I'm battling a summer cold, so I'm giving myself permission to relax about NOT working out. I brought my gym clothes to the office today, but I'm going to just leave them here in the bag 'til I feel my usual uncontrollable urge to hit the gym. I know I could probably run a few miles and do weight training through my cold, but you know what? I don't feel like it. I'm going to wait it out, rest up, drink plenty of hot tea and then come back to the gym with added strength in a few days.

One benefit of exercising so regularly that you understand the payoffs inside and out is that you can ease back a little with confidence from time to time when your body says to take it easy.

It helps to have strenuous goals to look forward to-- the Philadelphia Distance Run in the fall, and the Dragon Boat Festival in October, so I know I can't afford to take it easy for long!

What do you all do about exercise when you're feeling under the weather?

APRIL: I find that if I exercise through a cold or flu, I feel worse and prolong the fatigue and illness. I give myself permission to do nothing!

JILL: It depends on how under the weather I feel. If it's just a minor ailment, I try to soldier on. If it's more than that, I know it's counterproductive to expend energy on anything other than getting better.

LAURIE: I usually give myself a break, but I wonder if there any situations/conditions where exercise would be helpful. Anybody got an answer there?

THERESA: For the most part, experts say it's OK to exercise with a cold, but not with the flu. Best to take it easy if you have a fever. And some research seems to indicate that regular exercise boosts the immune system, so people who exercise may be less likely to get whatever bugs may be going around.