working out and healthy eating while sick?

Saiph_1
Saiph_1 Posts: 2
in Motivation and Support
Hey all, ive just joined up this week, and started getting really keen and into the fitness stuff again and have had a really good week but then my partner and his little treasures of children have passed on their dredded flu to me. I feel like doing nothing but resting and am not keen on getting up to make healthy meals at all. Can anyone tell me whether it is better for me to get up, go outside to the gym and do a workout and continue to push through this blasted flu or whether i should be resting in my comfy bed where it is warm and cosy.

Thanks all

Soph- The Newbie from Radelaide :)

Replies

  • DenyseMarieL
    DenyseMarieL Posts: 673 Member
    I'm not a medical expert, but I think a body that is fighting off a sickness needs to rest. I think you'll know when you are ready to get active again.
  • Saiph_1
    Saiph_1 Posts: 2
    Thanks Denyse :)
    I thought that was probably the case, but then, will all the health benefits of working out i was a little unsure
  • BuckeyeBoi
    BuckeyeBoi Posts: 233 Member
    Drink plenty of fluids and rest that is all you can do. Your body wants to heal and needs that rest while fighting
  • jg627
    jg627 Posts: 1,221 Member
    http://news.menshealth.com/are-you-too-sick-to-work-out/2012/01/17/
  • Amy911Gray
    Amy911Gray Posts: 685 Member
    Walking around the house is exercise enough! Sit when you feel like sitting, eat when you feel like eating, Watch a movie, sit up straight for exercise...and above all else---plenty of fluids and oranges (because I'm on an orange kick I think everyone should be)...Treat yourself to some rest and relaxation--and remember the rest and relaxation because you sound like me.

    I wasn't feeling so great at work today, but I toughed it out because I have plans to me an old friend for lunch and I didn't want the "you were sick from work yesterday, so no fun for the weekend" guilt! :)

    Hope you were feeling up for a laugh...when I'm sick laughing makes me feel better!
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    i do it no matter what,,, just more gentle,,,
  • ToughTulip
    ToughTulip Posts: 1,118 Member
    I wouldn't go to the gym when you are sick. Spreading germs! No one else wants your flu xD
  • lachesissss
    lachesissss Posts: 1,298 Member
    I wouldn't go to the gym, don't run yourself down more when sick. I'd probably start taking extra vitamin c and zinc supplements, and plenty of fluids. In terms of diet - you may be sick and not up for prepping super healthy meals, but don't use it as an excuse to binge or completely go off the tracks. Just try to eat as healthfully and best you can, so you don't have to come back from a crappy diet and having been sick.
  • briannereynolds
    briannereynolds Posts: 9
    When I'm sick I usually don't eat much because I'm not feeling good and what not. And I do like to get up and do at least some exercise. I usually feel better and if I don't I know I'll say "gosh maybe I should have worked out."
  • Lift_hard_eat_big
    Lift_hard_eat_big Posts: 2,278 Member
    Your body needs the rest to combat the flu. Going to the gym while sick is like trying to fight a war on two fronts.
  • deborah0123
    deborah0123 Posts: 61
    This week I too was so sick ..the last thing I wanted to do was work out .eat right..do anything..I never miss work..I had to take off a day.. Today I am feeling some better..but still can't seem to be motivated to eat right or exercise...hoping tomorrow I wll feel better
  • Ejourneys
    Ejourneys Posts: 1,603 Member
    Perfect timing on this thread for me, since I'm on the tail end of a bad head cold in its ninth day.

    Short answer: Listen to your body.

    For the first few days I could eat little else than tea with honey and crispbread. I dropped three pounds in three days (not the way I want to lose weight). Given how I felt and how I was off my feed, I focused on getting rest over any kind of exercise other than walking around the house. I was also extremely congested, to the point where my voice probably dropped a couple of octaves.

    My congestion (and my voice) started to lift yesterday, by which time I was eating more and introducing more of my regular foods into my diet. I'd been itching to work out, but I knew I wasn't ready until yesterday. I dialed down the resistance on my mini-bike and got in a long, easy workout. Did the same today. That resistance will stay at an easy level until I've shaken this cold off completely, but in the meantime I'm getting aerobic exercise in, with some light weight training.

    Conclusion: Let yourself heal. Don't push until you are ready. If your body is anything like mine, it will tell you loud and clear when to return to working out, and at what level. Until then, pamper yourself and get well soon!
  • katealbright
    katealbright Posts: 134 Member
    I just took a week long break from working out because I was a little sniffley lol I REALLY cannot afford to get sick so I was super careful. I still ate healthy and made sure to get plenty of vitamins and water while staying with my calorie deficit. Just didn't work out. Lots of water and tea and rest later I actually broke my plateau while I was sick lol
  • DawnEH612
    DawnEH612 Posts: 574 Member
    If you truly have the flu, rest! If you have body aches, fever or respiratory congestion.. Rest! If you must, take a short (10 minute) leisurely walk, more for the fresh air and to stretch than anything else. If its just a head cold with no fever, its generally ok to work out, just decrease the intensity by about 25%. My rule of thumb is, above the neck illness, work out... Below the neck and/or fever, REST... But ultimately listen to your body.. If you don't even want to get up and make a healthy meal don't work out... Hot WHITE tea with honey and cinnamon., soups, and protein!
  • kdeaux1959
    kdeaux1959 Posts: 2,675 Member
    Definitely REST and eat as healthy as you can (soup is usually good for a cold or flu)... There is time for building immunities and such through diet and exercise when you get well...

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