Exercising while sick?

justjumpit278

I have a bit of a head cold going on. Sore throat for two days, drainage, sinus pressure, headaches. Nothing to keep me from going to work but enough to make me feel yucky.

Question is... what is everyone's thoughts on exercising while sick? I think its obvious that if you have a temp of 103 and puking, you should probably sit it out.. But if its something minor do you keep going? Maybe just not as much? Or does a good long walk usually help you feel better?

caracrawford1

Here's what my marathon running coach told me once: if symptoms are confined to the neck up, you can workout, just take it easier. From the head extending to all the way down? (Aches and pains for example, chills) take a break.

justjumpit278

Good rule of thumb!

MzFyreKitty

Definitely if you are running a fever, take a break and listen to your body. Sometimes you just need to rest. Make sure you get a full night's sleep so your body can repair. I would listen to a Doctor's advice and not just listen to a "marathon coach".

I'm a RN and I don't give out medical advice the way some people on here do lol

liftnlove_

I workout unless I have fever, vomiting, chills, something like that. Honestly, working out relieves a lot of my head-cold symptoms....Maybe it opens up the blood vessels, releases endorphins? Anyway, I don't go crazy with the intensity when I have a cold, but I still go. That's just me though. My doctor has told me pretty much the exact thing that the "marathon coach" said btw.

MildredBarhopper

I had a cold, along with some chills recently. I felt like **** but really did not want to skip my workout. I took some cold medicine that helped me feel a LOT better, did my workout, and continued to feel better afterward. You just sort of have to play it by ear and do what's right for you. If you think you can handle it, go for it. If not, take it easy and rest.