Working Out While Sick

OneGoodBean

I have been sick for a while now. The doctor thinks it's a UTI, but with my history, I'm not so sure. I've been having fevers, sore throat, nausea and extreme fatigue. However, I still feel guilty for not going to the gym, especially when it's a group day with my trainer. Since I'm always sick, I feel like I should just suck it up and push through. I don't want to use it as an excuse but then again, my body is just really tired. I'm trying to make changes and I feel like this is getting in the way and I'm letting others down by not doing what I've committed to do. Should I be feeling guilty? Should I be pushing through and working out anyway?

grimendale

If you're sick, you're body needs to heal. If you want to work out, do something low impact (like walking). Anything high intensity runs the risk of making you sick longer.

gypsy_spirit

With fever, nausea, extreme fatigue, and infection - my advice would be to slow down a little until you are well. Exercise is a stressor to your central nervous system. So is eating in a calorie deficit. So is having an infection. Your immune system is trying to tell you something. Your body needs to heal.

MinnieInMaine

No, you should not feel guilty, especially considering your symptoms. Adding more stress to your body in this case is a bad idea. Hell, I'm dealing with a cold right now and won't workout until I feel better. Why risk prolonging the illness? Plus knowing working out will likely put me on my butt. If anything, I'll just take a short walk to get some fresh air and take a break.

Your doc knows best, especially since it sound like you've got some medical condition(s) going on. And if you don't trust him/her completely, find another one and get a 2nd opinion.

katysmelly

No, you need to rest. If you feel achy and sore and tired then working out will only make things worse.

You will not make any gains while you are sick and you risk weakening your immune system. Studies on mice have shown this very clearly: mice that exercise intensely are significantly more likely to sicken and die when exposed to a flu virus (although they otherwise show all markers for superior health).

Fighting off a bug is very taxing on the body. You should rest and make sure you're getting enough calories. If you feel sort of OK, then very light exercise (I'm talking about going for a walk) is probably OK. But do not try and "tough it out." No good will come of it and you will very likely find yourself sicker than before.

katysmelly

I just wanted to add: last week I posted about feeling inexplicably weak while working out. Just fatigued and unable to lift quite as heavy. Someone said I may be ill. It was only a few hours later that I actually noticed the scratchy throat I'd had was worsening. I ended up with a bit of a chest cold. However, I immediately started eating more calories and I didn't go the gym for several days. When I did return, I felt strong and I hadn't gained any weight.

Francl27

I've been sick all week too and I haven't worked out... I feel terrible about it... but it won't do me any good if I push too hard and pass out or something (for me it's just headaches and dizziness).

DvlDwnInGA

Don't go to the gym sick. Everyone there will appreciate it! As others have said, rest, get well, then go back to working out. You are not doing yourself any favors by putting more stress on your body while it is sick.

JoRocka

Don't go to the gym sick. Everyone there will appreciate it! As others have said, rest, get well, then go back to working out. You are not doing yourself any favors by putting more stress on your body while it is sick.

pretty much this.

A good rule of thumb is head/neck up- you're probably fine- just be germ conscious- but neck/chest/lower- you want to lay back and let your body heal.

At best go for walk- that will help your body and your mind- but I seriously wouldn't do much more than that.

OneGoodBean

Thanks everyone. I really am just starting at this all and have only done one workout with my trainer. Thankfully what I have isn't a contagious thing, so I wouldn't be getting anyone at the gym sick. Basically I'm dealing with post cancer crap. I just wish it would all go away.

goanothermile

Thanks everyone. I really am just starting at this all and have only done one workout with my trainer. Thankfully what I have isn't a contagious thing, so I wouldn't be getting anyone at the gym sick. Basically I'm dealing with post cancer crap. I just wish it would all go away.

Sorry to hear that you are dealing with that.

Given that you aren't at risk of spreading anything... my advice would be to give yourself permission to go lightly.

I see it as a spectrum. On one end we have the "My body says I'm very ill" and the other end is "I don't feel like working out today, feel like being lazy, think I can give myself an excuse, too busy, have to wash my shoelace collection, etc".

I find myself at the latter end all too often!

If you feel you're about to puke, pass out, or have a major medical issue... don't go. Be smart. Rest. Tomorrow is another day.

If you just feel crummy... maybe keep your gym habit going and give yourself permission to go lightly. Walk on the treadmill. Ride a bike. Whatever you feel most comfortable or most enjoy doing.

Exercise sometimes helps when I feel bad. Getting some blood flowing. Feeling some good tiredness. Even the sense of accomplishment that comes with "I overcame the crappiness and still worked out" has positive mental value at times. Some days, I have to accept that doing SOMETHING is better than doing nothing.

ruqayyahsmum

please take the time to rest

i have several medical conditions but thought it would be a good idea to power through being unwell

i went to the gym 4 hours a day 5 days a week until they became so concerned that they banned me

i went on to develop a severe chest infection that took me 5 months, 6 courses of antibiotics, 3 courses of steroids and a delightful stay in the hospital to clear up

i ended up weak as a kitten and with my health in an even worse state than before and its taken me over a year to work myself back up to approaching where i was before