I'm sick. Should I run?

fangmouse

I know there's a rule that says that if your symptoms are above the neck, it's safe to run and my symptoms are above the neck. However, whenever I try to run, my nose gets really blocked and I absolutely cannot breathe. I also feel a throbbing headache when u run and it feels horrible.

I still try to push myself because of the 'above neck' rule but I'm failing to do so because it gets really painful. I really want to continue running but I feel horrid; half because I just can't seem to run and half because I actually feel dizzy.

I was sick last week but I still tried to exercise and it made be unable to recover. My cold/sinusitis has lasted over a week and I'm still sick. I didn't exercise on Sunday and only did a tiny bit of exercise yesterday and somehow I feel better. Is it okay to pause working out for about aa week?

I feel really guilty and I might have gained weight, I'm not sure but it does feel like it and I'm so disappointed because iI don't lose weight easily even with a changed diet and I don't want to screw it up again

FP4HSharon

Most articles I've read said if you don't have a fever, then it's ok to do what you feel like. But you should check w/your doctor. Here's an article from Live Strong about it...

http://www.livestrong.com/article/411320-is-it-bad-to-work-out-when-youre-sick/

For me, I make myself workout, because it seems to help my body burn viruses out of my system faster. So if I don't feel like running at my regular pace, then I'll go slower, or even walk. But for me, I've found that it helps & something is better than nothing when it comes to workouts.

michable

I haven't heard of this "above-neck" rule, but if you are sick you should not run. You put your body under more stress when you run, and will be more likely to prolong your illness. Take a few rest days and get better; and see your doctor if you don't get better.

MinnieInMaine

It's kind of like the "i before e" rule. In most situations, above the neck means you're probably ok to keep working out, BUT it depends on what's going on above the neck. If you'actually have sinusitis, that means you're fighting an infection and your body is already under a lot of stress - adding running to that is just going to create more stress and possibly keep you sick even longer.

If you still want to exercise, that's fine but do something less intense - like maybe go for a walk instead of running.

Remember, exercise isn't really about losing weight, it's about getting fit. You should still lose weight as long as you've been at a calorie deficit.

Make sure you're getting plenty of fluids, vitamins, nutrients and take it a little easier until you get better.

smc864

I haven't heard of this "above-neck" rule, but if you are sick you should not run. You put your body under more stress when you run, and will be more likely to prolong your illness. Take a few rest days and get better; and see your doctor if you don't get better.

^^This!

Cooriander

I don't skip running every time I am sick. It boosts my spirits, and there certainly is research that has shown that maintaining fitness while being 'sick' is beneficial.

However, as many things in life there is a fine line, because if you are not careful - and don't listen to your body enough then "some sicknesses" can escalate into something worse.

Fever is definitely a good indicator in deciding whether it is safe to run or not, or flu like symptoms.

Blanket statements that you can't run when you sick, is simply not backed up by science.