I have a cold, should I work out?

wubbykid
wubbykid Posts: 60 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been sick for the past six days, but my sickness has decreased by 75%. Should I work out? I don't feel 100% all back, but I don't feel terrible either. Actually I feel a lot better, just not 100% all the way.

What do you think?

Replies

  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    The rule of thumb is that you can work out with a cold. If you have a fever, you stay home. EIther way, get good sleep.
  • firebloom
    firebloom Posts: 109 Member
    I have read that if your symptoms are from the neck up (sore throat, ear ache etc), it's perfectly fine for you to work out. If your symptoms are below the neck or all over (fever, body aches) you should skip the work out and rest.
  • wubbykid
    wubbykid Posts: 60 Member
    The rule of thumb is that you can work out with a cold. If you have a fever, you stay home. EIther way, get good sleep.

    So a 1 hour, 45 minute brisk walk, isn't too much?
  • wubbykid
    wubbykid Posts: 60 Member
    I have read that if your symptoms are from the neck up (sore throat, ear ache etc), it's perfectly fine for you to work out. If your symptoms are below the neck or all over (fever, body aches) you should skip the work out and rest.

    Wow, I never knew this. Thank you! :smile:
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    I have heard the same thing about the "neck up" theory. And personally… I found that when I had a cold… I felt my best when I was working out. Granted, I wasn't doing hard cardio… just walking. But I think the movement kinda helped break up congestion or something.
  • wubbykid
    wubbykid Posts: 60 Member
    I have heard the same thing about the "neck up" theory. And personally… I found that when I had a cold… I felt my best when I was working out. Granted, I wasn't doing hard cardio… just walking. But I think the movement kinda helped break up congestion or something.

    That's great news!!
  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    If I have a cold, I just do a lighter cardio workout making sure not to push myself too hard I find that moving a bit helps. Moving especially helps me with chest congestion. One thing I can't do is any bending type movements because I ALWAYS get sinus blockages when I have a cold and bending causes extreme pain, dizziness and I've been known to pass out...
  • wubbykid
    wubbykid Posts: 60 Member
    If I have a cold, I just do a lighter cardio workout making sure not to push myself too hard I find that moving a bit helps. Moving especially helps me with chest congestion. One thing I can't do is any bending type movements because I ALWAYS get sinus blockages when I have a cold and bending causes extreme pain, dizziness and I've been known to pass out...

    I might have to down my one hour, forty five minute walk, to about half an hour, or forty five minutes.
  • MinimalistShoeAddict
    MinimalistShoeAddict Posts: 1,946 Member
    Michael Jordon was in this situation once. This is how he responded:

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/79
  • stevenlcopeland
    stevenlcopeland Posts: 57 Member
    Absolutely work out. Having a cold is no reason not to workout. Some of my best workouts have been when I do have a cold. Don't really want to be at the gym but once I get there I'm even more determined to do my best. Do not shorten your work out due to a cold
  • wubbykid
    wubbykid Posts: 60 Member
    Michael Jordon was in this situation once. This is how he responded:

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/79

    He just pushed through. I'm not sure athletes have as much wiggle room like we do, LOL.
  • wubbykid
    wubbykid Posts: 60 Member
    Absolutely work out. Having a cold is no reason not to workout. Some of my best workouts have been when I do have a cold. Don't really want to be at the gym but once I get there I'm even more determined to do my best. Do not shorten your work out due to a cold

    I'm afraid I'll get sick again, but now that I know...
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    For walking, I would say as tolerated. If you get super tired or have trouble breathing, I would say quit and rest.
  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    Michael Jordon was in this situation once. This is how he responded:

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/79

    I remember this game well. Utah fans had nothing but RESPECT for Jordan after this one. You could just FEEL how sick he was out there. It HURT to watch him play but he kept sinking shots.
  • wubbykid
    wubbykid Posts: 60 Member
    For walking, I would say as tolerated. If you get super tired or have trouble breathing, I would say quit and rest.

    I'd say I'm almost 80% fully recovered, as I'm writing this comment.
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    For walking, I would say as tolerated. If you get super tired or have trouble breathing, I would say quit and rest.

    I'd say I'm almost 80% fully recovered, as I'm writing this comment.

    Well, at 80% definitely work out. I always work out above 78.57%.
  • lisaabenjamin
    lisaabenjamin Posts: 665 Member
    Unless you feel really weak, or find that exercising makes you feel worse, there's no reason why you shouldn't work out if you have a cold. I find that I usually feel much better afterwards! Certainly helps clear the sinuses out anyway - take tissues with you for the inevitable runny nose! :-)
  • Lottiotta
    Lottiotta Posts: 162 Member
    I never ever feel like working out - except for when I'm recovering from a cold. It's pretty weird, but hey, I can go with it. :)
  • _Terrapin_
    _Terrapin_ Posts: 4,301 Member
    For walking, I would say as tolerated. If you get super tired or have trouble breathing, I would say quit and rest.

    I'd say I'm almost 80% fully recovered, as I'm writing this comment.

    Well, at 80% definitely work out. I always work out above 78.57%.

    Must be an age thing; for me it is 78.624%. Anything lower and I just watch the world pass by. Good luck OP.
  • wubbykid
    wubbykid Posts: 60 Member
    For walking, I would say as tolerated. If you get super tired or have trouble breathing, I would say quit and rest.

    I'd say I'm almost 80% fully recovered, as I'm writing this comment.

    Well, at 80% definitely work out. I always work out above 78.57%.

    Very exacting!
  • wubbykid
    wubbykid Posts: 60 Member
    Thanks everybody for your replies and advice! Very helpful!

    My cold is dying by the hours!
  • Kim55555
    Kim55555 Posts: 987 Member
    How did you go with recovery from the cold and exercising?

    I'm at day 5 of my cold and have been off work sick. I have a couple of red flags, 1 is coughing, another aches and headache. I'm not sure if I have a fever (another red flag) but I'll find out tomorrow when I go to my doctor.

    Ive stopped running & have gone on a couple of leisurely walks. By the 20min mark I found I was starting to cough so it was aggravating my coughing. I went back to work today and lasted just a couple of hours as it's a physical job.

    I'm hoping with a few more days of bed rest I'll be back at work and can get back into my training program. I hate being a couch potato! :( I've been researching lactate threshold training and I'm soooooo keen to get stuck into it haha. I guess I'll just have to wait a bit longer.

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