What to do when you are getting a cold

lilawolf
lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
My throat is getting sore and I'm a little congested. It's not full blown yet, but the deck is stacked against me. Last night, I took a hot bath, took some nyquil and got an extra hour of sleep. This morning I took dayquil and dragged my sleepy *kitten* out of bed. I am supposed to go to Krav Maga (Israeli martial arts) tonight, and I am eating to a goal of 1750 NET cals.

Should I switch to maintenance (~2000) until I feel better? Give my body all of the tools to fight this that I can? Or does it matter? Any studies would be appreciated.

Should I skip Krav? I think that there can be a benefit to "sweating it out" but also to getting extra rest. Unlike lifting weights, I am unlikely to get hurt even if I'm not 100%. I hate to skip class because if I miss more than 4 in a 3 month period then I can't qualify for the next rank.

I'll drink tea, take medicine, make sure my nutrition is extra good etc. My main question is the calorie goal.

Replies

  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    Take a half day and watch Harry Potter like I am
  • Hungry_Gurl
    Hungry_Gurl Posts: 23 Member
    take your vitamins!
  • lilawolf
    lilawolf Posts: 1,690 Member
    Take a half day and watch Harry Potter like I am

    And put the badassery on hold? Eat soup and chili and ice cream til I explode?
  • Wiseandcurious
    Wiseandcurious Posts: 730 Member
    Regarding the food, I would say listen to your body. You are not eating at a horrible deficit so you should fare well on 1750 net, so don't push yourself to eat, but then, if your body wants the cals, eat! I guess that would be more likely to happen after the worst of the cold has passed, though. In my experience, our body tends to want less food (and excercise) when sick, and more as it recuperates.

    Not a doctor here, just having nursed a kid through innumerable colds.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I would skip the workouts for a couple days, or eat at maintenance.

    I have the same issue, I've skipped the cardio workouts (walks really) in the last two days, done the weight lifting eating the same deficit as usual (I went over on Sunday actually), and my cold seems to be getting better (and I lost weight this morning). Just keep in mind that if you don't exercise for a couple days, your normal deficit will be closer to maintenance anyway.
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    rest.

    also, don't go out places and spread your germs!
  • andit001
    andit001 Posts: 33 Member
    I've just catched a cold two days ago. I try to stick to my calorie goals, but I don't set that limit too hard. Because I know my body needs energy to fight the cold.

    I take vitamins, drink some tea, use a(n eucalyptus) salve to put on my breast area which helps and try to keep my body warm with blankets. Apart from solving math equations, I watch some tv series to get hold of the boredom as I can't really move so much now.
  • amybg1
    amybg1 Posts: 631 Member
    Well if it's below the chest (affects your sinuses mostly) feel free to exercise but I'd skip Krav or anything super strenuous, if you have weights at home or even go for a short run as some exercise can help kick your immune system into gear and help either reduce symptoms or its duration.

    As for calories - there's no point in eating more really, it's not the quantity that matters but the quality, so still eat a deficit but skip any alcohol and ice cream. Feel free to have a bit of yogurt as the healthy bacteria can do you some good.

    Listen to your body, work out if you feel up to it but keep it lighter than your norm and stay hydrated. Will help with congestion and besides..Keeping hydrated is important when ill

    Supposedly foods that contain zinc helps with fighting a cold, contrary to popular belief eating a chockful of vit C won't make it go away faster BUT eating things such as oranges/clementines can help soothe a sore throat

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