What do you do when you are sick and can't exercise?

Annaneedstolosesome

When I get ill, it usually lasts for 2-3 days and then I am back on the exercise! But now I have this awful chest cold that seems will last for a while (already been 4 days and I don't feel any better). What do you do in this case? Do you stick to your calories, or do you lower them? Thanks!

mangrothian

IMO, if you're sick, eat what your normally do. Your body needs fuel to help repair itself and fight infection; lowering your calories wont help.

If it takes you 2 weeks to get over your chest infection, it's only 2 weeks longer before you reach your goal which in the grand scheme of things isn't that long

bellabonbons

Can't believe this question is actually being asked.

Orphia

Why would you lower your calories?

pebble4321

Rest, and give my body a chance to recover. I don't usually feel much like eating when I'm sick, but if I do, then I eat normally.
If not exercising makes you go over your calories, then just accept that you might be closer to your maintenance calories for a few days or a week.
That's not a big deal.

snowflake930

Weight loss is 80% eating at calorie deficit. I lost over 100 pounds (no exercise) before I even began to walk more.
Keep eating @ your calorie allotment, you don't need to eat less.

Francl27

snowflake930 wrote: »

Weight loss is 80% eating at calorie deficit. I lost over 100 pounds (no exercise) before I even began to walk more.
Keep eating @ your calorie allotment, you don't need to eat less.

Unless you're eating at TDEE, because then you'd be eating at a surplus, as it includes exercise.

With MFP, just eat your calories.

dolliesdaughter

Rest

samchez0

I'm doing nothing. I feel like shiat and there is no way I'm further punishing myself by exercising. I did only eat like 700 calories yesterday though since I had no appetite.

rosebarnalice

Rest, eat good nutritious foods that help your body take care of itself, and get back to the exercise when you feel better.

rainbowbow

I relax and focus on healing? why is this even being questioned?

Lounmoun

If you are using the calorie goal MFP gave you then just eat that. I don't think lowering your calories is necessary. Eating at maintenance level is probably a good idea when you are sick.
If you have gone from being very active in your daily life (your lifestyle not exercise) to laying around most days and it will be longer than a week or two then you want might to switch your activity level to sedentary until you are recovered.

CaptainJoy

Annaneedstolosesome wrote: »

When I get ill, it usually lasts for 2-3 days and then I am back on the exercise! But now I have this awful chest cold that seems will last for a while (already been 4 days and I don't feel any better). What do you do in this case? Do you stick to your calories, or do you lower them? Thanks!

In the past I always failed at weight loss because I'd get sick. I wasn't getting enough nutrition when I ate at a deficit. I have taken a multi-vitamin daily since starting on MFP last October and have not come down with anything since. Be sure to get enough vitamin C and don't worry about your calories until you are well. Then you can start fresh.

Abbie918

I focus on getting better and not on counting calories. Typically, I eat less when I'm not feeling well anyway, but if I go over because my body needs extra nourishment to fight whatever I'm ill with, I'm not going to stress about it. Health is more important!

victoria_1024

I eat at maintenance when I'm sick. Your body needs fuel