How to deal with being injured and needing to take time off?

After pulling something in my hip to knee area, I decided to just push through the pain.  Monday I decided that the problem had gotten so bad that I actually do need to take some time off.

The problem is that I've been very dedicated to working out for the past 5 years and I'm having a lot of anxiety/depression surrounding this break and injury.  I have an office job and sit in a cubical all day, so my workouts are the only time I even get to move.

I know this is for the better, but working out is my passion and I'm having such a hard time.  I was just wondering how other people in my position have coped?

I'm not going to lie to you, it sucks.  I was religious about going to the gym, it is like my social life during the week.  I use to run and had to stop in Feb because of a knee problem, so I started biking and doing the elliptical.  The knee problem got worse. 

I had surgery on it June 9th and didn't work out until Monday the 29th (three weeks later) I only made it 30 minutes on the eliptical.  But my knee doesn't hurt.  You have to let yourself heal!

I also didn't weigh myself at all in those 3 weeks because I only do it at the gym with their accurate scales, and to my surprise I lost 3 lbs in the 3 weeks.  Granted it was probably only muscle loss, at least it wasn't a gain!

Anyways, take the time to heal.  Just remember that when you go back it is going to be a little difficult, and a little frustrating, but it will be like a whole new work out routine and you will be stronger, kind of like changing up your routine to push past a plateau.

If you haven't taken a break in 5 years, then for the love of god take a break.

Otherwise you might want to check out Creating A Training Effect When You're Injured.

i hurt my leg/knee over the weekend and had to take this week off. I am also not weighing myself but am sticking to low calories. I'm using the break to get lots and lots of sleep and a 'vacation' from it all. I'll reset on sunday and gtt back on the treadmill monday, knee seems like it will be ready then.

If you are injured.  Rest and recover.  In April 2008, I partially tore my achilles.  And decided to tough it out.  A few weeks later I couldn't walk.  Thankfully, I didn't need surgery, but I did need to rehad for 6 months.  Then an infection set in during my rehab, which had to be post-poned.  All in all, it's been 14 months, and I haven't been able to step back onto the rugby pitch yet or work my legs too much in the gym.

My advice.  1) Serious injury, serious attention.  2) Treat any injury as a serious injury.  If it is in your lower body, concentrate on your upper body, toning your arms, your back.  Lower body, vice versa.  Also, something I took up was yoga.  Amazing low impact workout.

PLEASE don't push yourself!!! I'm living proof that it doesn't pay in the end.  I've been dealing with this stuff since last October because I ignored earlier injuries.

http://caloriecount.about.com/stress-fracture -cautionary-story-others-ft126297