Sick but want to work out

shortyrock_78

I got a cold this past weekend and stopped working out because I felt so bad. I'm still not feeling great, but I want to get back to working out. I've got a cruise coming up in a few weeks and I want to drop a few pounds. Anyone work out while sick? Does it make you feel better or worse? Good idea, bad idea?

Chief_Rocka

I do, and it often makes me feel better.

smokinjackd

No, baddddd shortyrock. If you workout while sick, your body is already fighting off something, now you are stressing it more. You will just be dragging yourself out more. Find a book and a blanket, snuggle up and get better then back to the routine.

xAmes

Walk/jog intervals when I have a cold always makes me feel more energized and helps to break up some of the mucous it seems. It's not scientific but that's my experience.

Cr01502

I do and I feel better but to be honest I think it's just a temporary release of endorphins post exercise.

I believe the rule is if it's a head cold go ahead and have mild exercise.

If the cold goes down to your throat and lungs (i.e. sore throat and cough) to rest until you're healed.

itsuki

It really depends on how sick you are. If it's something with a fever, or something that's in your lungs, you probably shouldn't. Just a headcold? If you feel up to it, I guess.

But please, don't work out in the gym. No reason to get your fellow gym-goers sick.

penrbrown

Doesn't working out weaken your bodies ability to fight these things off? Seems to me if I'm starting to get sick and I workout hard, I get hit HARD. Really hard. It's been this way forever. I started to formulate the idea that working out breaks down my bodies ability to fight off illness.

I don't know if that's scientific or true but that has been my experience!

Anyway. I prefer to rest until my body is recovered and THEN I start working out again. Until my body has recovered I stick to more lighter exercise. Like walking or lifting myself out of bed. :P

shortyrock_78

I am not one of those people! I work out at home

now_or_never13

Start out by going for a walk... nothing too intense. Going for a nice walk is much better than doing nothing.

If you are fine with the walk try to do your normal exercise.

If I'm not coughing and am feeling good enough to move around I will go for a walk or use my stationary bike. Light exercise until I am feeling better.

jenniebean1680

Usually if you're feeling up to working out, it's probably ok to do so, just go somewhat easy and see how you feel. Rule of thumb for exercising while ill is that if your symptoms are from the neck up (ie headache, stuffy nose, sore throat) you're good to go if you feel like it. If they are below the neck (fever, chills, chesty cough, body aches) then ixnay on the orkoutway.

bacitracin

I always found out that working out helps me fight off minor infections quicker. I dunno if it's because my core body temperature is elevated for awhile and the bugs get cooked instead of having to go to war with my white blood cells or what. But yeah, basically, if it's above the neck, it's generally okay to exercise, but below the neck , stay in bed.

meredith1123

When our bodies are sick - our immune systems are already working double to help us get better. give yourself a break! go back when you are feeling up to it. At most go take a walk outside and dont push yourself.

crystalflame

If it's just a cold and you don't have fever or aches, working out is fine - it usually helps you fight off the cold a little faster. Just listen to your body and stop if it feels like you're overexerting yourself.