Sick and can't work out

violetpurdy
violetpurdy Posts: 39 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been losing weight since October and have probably missed like 5 days of working out since then. I usually do a daily workout routine that burns about 300 calories. But I'm feeling sick tonight and have a feeling I'll be bedridden tomorrow. Usually the rare day I miss a workout I still get a decent amount of steps from walking around campus or work...but now I'm very stressed that tomorrow I most likely won't be getting many steps.

I typically eat 1550 calories a day, but since I won't be exercising, I'm feeling like I should drop it to 1100 or 1000 to still get a calorie deficit.

I don't know, I'm just freaking out. Any words of advice?

Replies

  • MissusMoon
    MissusMoon Posts: 1,900 Member
    I've been forced to sit on the couch for fourteen days because I'm recovering from surgery. I've lost six pounds even though I'm eating about the same.

    In other words...
    relax.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    Take two aspirins and call me in the morning.
  • wuwu90
    wuwu90 Posts: 275 Member
    Dont stress. Stress can often make things worse especially if you're an emotional eater like me. But also it can cause sleep deprivation and increased cortisol. Concentrate on getting yourself better through healthy eating and rest. Weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. If it was me, i wouldn't worry about lowering my calorie intake as the body needs those extra calories to heal itself. Just take it easy and look after your mind and body and you should be feeling better in no time :)
  • misskarne
    misskarne Posts: 1,765 Member
    Go to sleep. Sleep all day if you have to. Let your body do what it needs to do to get you better.

    Honestly? The fact that you are, by your own words, "freaking out" over missing ONE DAY of exercise is...disturbing.
  • AlyssaPetsDogs
    AlyssaPetsDogs Posts: 421 Member
    I have been on a nearly 2 week break of working out due to final exams. While I feel guilty not working out, I know I would feel even guiltier sacrificing time to do anything but study. I just have been doing my best to stay within my calorie goal each day and I still lost 2.2 pounds last week and this week I will probably stay the same or maybe lose half a pound. I've been caving slightly to the stress and strayed a little food wise and tomorrow I'm having a well deserved cheat meal :)

    Honestly, you should not get hung up over missing a day or 2 of working out. As long as you don't make it a habit, it is not going to have a dramatic effect on you! Make sure you are eating enough and you won't lose any progress. As long as you have significantly more good days than bad, and it seems to me like you're pretty dedicated, it's going to be great!
  • victoria_1024
    victoria_1024 Posts: 915 Member
    I eat at maintenance when I'm sick. Your body needs fuel to recover. I've been sick many times over the past year and it didn't affect my weight loss. Just rest, eat, and pick up again when you're ready.
  • paulgads82
    paulgads82 Posts: 256 Member
    I've been sick for 8 years. I've been mostly bedbound for the last 4 weeks. I think you're overthinking it.
  • Gamliela
    Gamliela Posts: 2,468 Member
    I always eat at maintenance if I get sick or injured. It doesn't make sense to eat at a deficit while the body is trying to heal a wound or defeat a virus or a bacteria. Maintenance calories at least!
  • dolliesdaughter
    dolliesdaughter Posts: 544 Member
    Feeling sick, you need to relax. You are thinking waaaaayyyyy too hard.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    Honestly-if you are sick and bedridden, there is a good chance your appetite is going to go down as well (at least it does for me). Listen to your body-don't force yourself to expend energy that you don't need to expend. Worse case-eat at maintenance for the day.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    paulgads82 wrote: »
    I've been sick for 8 years. I've been mostly bedbound for the last 4 weeks. I think you're overthinking it.

    Me too (well not bedbound at the moment). Chronically ill, spend 34 days straight in the hospital, had to take 10 months in a row of the gym, a day or 2 is nothing to stress over
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    Settle down, Beavis
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    You're over thinking it, just rest up and hopefully you'll feel better and then in a few days you can get back to routine. In the meantime just stick to the calories MFP gives you for being sedentary, or eat at maintenance calories - whichever suits you best.
  • haviegirl
    haviegirl Posts: 230 Member
    It's okay. Take care of yourself and let your body heal. The gym will still be there when you feel better. Don't go crazy with food in the meantime and you'll be fine.
  • kandeye
    kandeye Posts: 216 Member
    This is a bit dramatic. Relaaaaax. Life is ups and downs, everyday isn't going to work out how you want it to. It's fantastic you have been focused and working hard, but being sick means time for a break. Get sleep, lots of water, and nourish your body. None of this making a bigger deficit to make up for no exercise, in fact you probably should eat at maintenance until you recover.
  • skolbaby
    skolbaby Posts: 1 Member
    It's already been said, relax and don't lower your calories. Drink plenty of water and make sure your nourishing your body. Get those vitamins. This is a great opportunity for your body to recover and to switch things up a bit so it doesn't get accustomed to routine.
  • ahoy_m8
    ahoy_m8 Posts: 3,053 Member
    The best thing you can do for your body is give it what it needs to recover.

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