Do you burn more calories at rest while sick?

crlujan

Oh, man. I've got a cold. It started on Monday with a sore throat upon waking. Now it's just sinus pressure making me lethargic.

Welp, I went to dinner last night with a bunch of family. Had coffee, a bunch of apple-gorgonzola salad and about 1/3 of my Jambalaya Risotto. Mmm... Anyway, I weighed less this morning. And I sure don't feel like working out.

So, since there's this war going on inside my body between germs and the good guys, I wanna know... Am I burning more calories at rest while sick than I would normally? I'm not trying to go on the "sick diet". I'm just wondering.

mamaturner

Good question.... I think it could be possible... ? I had a chest cold for a few weeks (still have a lingering cough) and lemme tell ya.. my abs sure felt like i had been doing an ab marathon! There's gotta be something to it...

Here's the key.. eat well -lots of vit c and such (homemade chicken soup always helps-fact not myth) and get plenty of rest to get yourself back to 100%

ksnurse25

Do you have a fever? For every degree you go up with a fever, you burn more calories. Also, I have found out with my sinus issues that I really don't feel like eating as much due to decrease in appetite. I believe this is due to the sinus drainage upsetting my stomach. I have a sinus infection right now, so I know what it is like to not want to exercise due to increased fatigue, but I push myself to anyway. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

millerll

Those must be some well-traveled germs! I also came down with a nasty cold on Monday. I haven't been to the gym all week - too weak and tired, feel like crap, achy, cough, head all stopped up, can hardly breathe normally much less try to exert myself. Yep, it sucks. And I haven't had much of an appetite, so eating just my maintenance calories has been a challenge. I lost several pounds a few days ago, but I think it was dehydration from the antihistamines I've been taking. I'm trying to stuff myself with protein shakes and peanut butter (I'm at my goal weight and trying NOT to lose), but I have no stomach for it. I do think your ramped-up immune system might make your engine idle a little faster, if you know what I mean. No science behind this theory, just personal experience. That, coupled with dehydration and lack of appetite probably accounts for our weight loss. It'll probably level out once you're well. Hang in there!